Laser doppler application in the prediction of dusty events and dust storms in Kuwait

Prediction of dust storms is extremely important for governmental agencies and health organizations where a bigproportion of population that is sensitive live in countries having large portion of desert land. The concentrations of particulate matter in air, mainly total suspended particulates, TSP is an essential air qualitymeasure for the assessment of health riskin residential areas. In this study, concentrations of PM(10) in Kuwait were monitored using data from fixed air quality monitoring stations. PM(10) measurements and meteorological data were recorded every 5 minutes at different locations within the State of Kuwait High concentrations of PM(10) were compared with corresponding radar images of dust related events. A number of consecutive dust stormsmoved across the region during the spring season of 2003. During all these events, PM(10) concentrations exceeded 1000 mug/m(3),which were well above the allowable standard value of Environmental Public Authority (EPA) 350 mug/m(3). The total ambient PM(10) concentrations during the dust storm period were compared with previous recorded data to ensure the dust related episodes. The model predictions were verified with laser Doppler image confirming the occurrences of dust storm, its type, intensity, direction, and ferocity in early half of year 2003.The PM(10) measurements certified all the predicted dusty events, which were forecasted by implementing Laser Doppler application during the specified time.