THE CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF AEROSOLS IN ZABADANI VALLEY, SYRIA.

Abstract

The chemical composition of aerosols measured during a short period in 1985-08 in Zabadani Valley, near Damascus, Syria, is presented. Very high concentrations of several anthropogenic elements in some samples indicate transport of air pollutants, likely from industrial sources in the Damascus area, particularly from cement and sugar production, glass, ceramic manufacturing and the textile and sugar production, and motor vehicle traffic. Natural elements due to windblown dust are present in all samples.