The Journal of Engineering Research Vol. 6, No. 2 (2009) 52-63
Ambient Air Quality Assessment of Al-Mansoriah Residential
Area in the State of Kuwait
S.M. Al-Salem*a, A.A. Al-Fadhleeb and A.R. Khanc
*a
Petrochemical Processes Program Element, Petroleum Research and Studies Center, Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research,
P.O. Box. 24885, Safat 13109, State of Kuwait
b Planning Department, International Marketing Sector, Kuwait Petroleum Corporation, P.O. Box. 26565, 13126,
Safat, State of Kuwait
c Department of Environmental Technology Management, College for Women, Kuwait University, P.O. Box. 5969, Safat 13060,
State of Kuwait
Received 27 September 2008; accepted 15 February 2009
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Abstract : Air quality data (ground level ozone (O3), non-methane hydrocarbons (NMHC), methane (CH4),
nitrogen oxide (NO), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), carbon monoxide (CO), hydrogen sulfide (H2S) and sulfur dioxide (SO2) of a Kuwaiti residential area, Al-Mansoriah, were analyzed to evaluate and determine: (a) the
exceedances of air quality from permissible limits set by the Kuwait Environment Public Authority (KUEPA),
(b) the diurnal patterns of air pollutants, (c) the predominant sources of airborne pollutants in the surrounding
area, and (d) the ''weekend effect'' on ozone levels. The dataset covered the period of five consecutive years,
from January 2000 to December 2004. High levels of ozone were witnessed; recording a number of
exceedances. Inhabitants of Al-Mansoriah were exposed, during the period of study, to acute and chronic levels of SO2. Concerning NMHC, the permissible limit (0.24 ppm- rolling average between 6-9 am), was violated in each of the monitoring years. NO diurnal pattern showed two distinct strong peaks during the months from
October to March, in which the low solar radiation does not cause intense photochemical reactions, which lead
to NO destruction. A clear H2S source (considered as a primary one) was witnessed from Kuwait city (Sharq
district). The backed up sewage lines and maintenance work coinciding with study period clearly affected AlMansoriah. A clear "weekend effect", in terms of difference in levels occurring during midweek and weekends,
was ascertained. The analysis suggests that Al-Mansoriah residential area should be considered a NOx sensitive region of Kuwait.
Keywords: Weekend effect, NOx, SO2, CO, O3, Monthly variation, Seasonal variation
1. Introduction
Since the autonomy of Kuwait Environment Public
Authority (KUEPA) from the jurisdiction of the Ministry
of Health (MOH) and the recognition of its legal holding
power, pollution prevention in the state of Kuwait has
_____________________________________________
*Corresponding author’s e-mail: ssalem@ns1.prsc.kisr.edu.kw
been of a growing concern over urban and suburban
areas. Decision makers in the state express widespread
interest in controlling greenhouse gases (GHGs), volatile
organic compounds (VOCs) and other airborne pollutants.
Increased levels of these pollutants, besides eroding materials, are known to have deleterious effects on human
health (Brunekreef and Holgate, 2002, Al-Salem and
Bouhamrah, 2006), to cause injury to plants (Saitanis et
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The Journal of Engineering Research Vol. 6, No. 2 (2009) 52-63
al. 200; Saitanis and Karandinos, 2002), to reduce crops
yield (Nali et al. 2002) and to negatively affect ecosystems (Bytnerowicz et al. 2002). Natural ecosystems adjacent to urban areas are exposed increasingly to air pollutants of urban origin. Air pollutants, particularly SO2, NO2
and the major secondary photochemical oxidant O3 are
important threats to plants. Their effects comprise many
physiological and biochemical changes in plants, which
may result in growth reduction and yield loss, even at low
levels chronic exposure. Concerning human health, tropospheric O3 measured in urban regions and across
regional airsheds, are known to affect human health
(Riga-Karandinos and Saitanis, 2005).
Many researchers have been occupied with the great
number of reactions and types of urban air pollutants
(Wen and Lian, 2009; Fenger, 2009; Ramanathan and
Feng, 2009; Gildemeister et al. 2007). One of the most
important characteristics of urban air ph otochemistry is
the oxidation of SO 2 and NO 2 and their conversion to
particulate sulfate ( SO42− )
and (gaseous and
particulate) nitrates (NO 3). Moreover, the rate of the
conversion of NO x to NO 3 affects ozone formation and
the fate of t he NO x in the atmosphere. NO x is oxidized
to nitric acid (HNO 3) in the atmosphere, which in turn
forms NO 3 particles (Matsumoto and Tanaka, 1996).
Acidification of precipitation, visibility reduction and
deleterious effects on human health and plants, ar e all
effects associated with these secondary pollutants.
Such assessment of urban air quality will surely aid in
the planning step of agencies concerned with green
industries and keeping up with threshold and
permissible limits in populated areas. Althou gh air
quality was investigated in a number of urban areas in
the state of Kuwait (Al -Salem and Khan, 2006; Al Salem et al. 2008a; Al-Salem et al. 2008b; Al-Salem et
al. 2008c), there is insufficient or lack of information
about the air pollution levels in many areas, which host
a high percentage of the population of the country.
The objective of this work was to investigate the air
pollution of a typical residential area in Kuwait, namely
Al-Mansoriah. To this purpose we explored the air pollution levels in this area, with emphasis to ground level
ozone (O3), non-methane hydrocarbons (NMHC),
methane (CH4), nitrogen oxide (NO), nitrogen dioxide
(NO2), carbon monoxide (CO), hydrogen sulfide (H2S)
and sulfur dioxide (SO2). The exceedances of the air quality threshold values were calculated. The diurnal profiles
and the seasonal variations of these gases are studied and
the relationships between each other were explored. In
addition, pollution sources in the surroundings of the area
under investigation were identified using a series of concentration and wind roses analyses. The so called ''weekend effect'', concerning the variations of ozone levels
between weekdays and weekends, was also investigated.
2. Investigated Area Description
Al-Mansoriah residential area is a luxurious suburb of
the city which hosts mainly Kuwaiti residents of mid/high
class (39,444 residents). Figure 1 shows the area from
satellite imagery, relative to Kuwait city. Private and public transport vehicles reach a maximum of 45,000, mostly
around the areas main streets.
The receptor (monitoring) point chosen for the area was
above (at) the polyclinic of Al-Mansoriah situated near the
area's Co-Op, which is associated with restaurants and
other air polluting anthropogenic activities. These pollutants include n-CH4 (resulting from restaurants), NOx and
CO (emissions of automobile and other burning sources)
and VOCs from the gas and gasoline dispensing station.
On the other hand, Al-Arabi sports club is considered one
of the largest sports and family functions facility in
Kuwait, in terms of children entertainment lounges and
other function spaces.
Cairo St. is situated to the north side of the receptor
point. It is one of the busiest streets of Kuwait especially
during rush hour, linking three main residential areas
together in the governorate, ie. Al-Mansoriah, Al-Qadisiah
and Al-Daeiah. Automobile vehicles operating with gasoline are the main source of pollution associated with traffic jam in the street. Rush hours are usually between 7:30
am to 9:00 am (weekdays); and 8:00 pm to 9:30 pm
(weekends).
3. Data Acquirement and Methods
The dataset of Al-Mansoriah monitoring station, used
in this study, was provided form the Kuwait Environment
Public Authority (KUEPA). The data cover the period
from Jan 1st 2000 to Dec 31st 2004. The station is
equipped with a number of air sampling devices and analyzers (ThermoTecg 08, SatCal, Al-Issa Co. ltd.) with
accuracy of order 1%, with a measuring frequency of
5 minutes (original data). Air probe was approximately
15 m above sea level. All data were stored and manipulated with EnviDas data acquisition software, which did
store up to three months worth of data values. Data collected by the station concerned the following pollutants:
CH4 (ppm), NMHC (ppm), CO (ppm), NO (ppb), NO2
(ppb), H2S (ppb), SO2 (ppb), and O3 (ppb). Metrological
conditions data were collected through a weather station
recording the following parameters: wind speed (ms-1)
and direction (o), relative humidity (%) and ambient air
temperature (oC). Data points were treated and filtered
before performing any analysis. Filtration procedure was
performed as indicated by (Al-Salem and Khan, 2006).
NO2 and NO values exceeding 200 ppb were excluded, in
order to eliminate any automobile point source effect on
data collection. Values of CH4 levels below 1.3 ppm
were also removed to avoid insertion of instrumentation
signal noise. Calibration and span check points were also
deleted.
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The Journal of Engineering Research Vol. 6, No. 2 (2009) 52-63
Figure 1. Al-Mansoriah residential area relative to Kuwait city. Image courtesy of satellite archieves, KGIC,
Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research (KISR)
4. Results and Discussions
4.1. Exceedances of Air Quality Permissible
Limits/Threshold Values
In order to assess the air quality in Al-Mansoriah area,
measured levels of air pollutants were compared with
threshold limits specified in the rules and regulations of
Kuwait Environment Public Authority (KUEPA, 2001)
and the European Directive standards (EEA, 2003a; EEA,
2003b). Concerning O3, for the protection of both, human
health and ecosystem, KUEPA rules and regulations set a
permissible limit of 80 ppb as an hourly rolling (continu-
ous) average for O3, not to be exceeded twice in a 30 days
period. Inhabitants of Al-Mansoriah were exposed to O3
levels above the limit, but only a few days (Table 1). In
2000, six exceednaces were recorded based on 8-hrs
rolling averages, and one in the year 2004 (Table 1).
Judging from the current dataset of Al-Mansoriah, O3 levels should be considered potentially phytotoxic in this residential area. Investigations in other countries have shown
that the nowadays ambient ozone levels can cause injury
to plants. For example, (Saitanis et al. 2004) used plants
of the ozone bioindicator Bel-W3 tobacco variety, at 28
sites around a town in Greece. In all those sites the used
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The Journal of Engineering Research Vol. 6, No. 2 (2009) 52-63
Table 1. Air quality data of Al-Mansoriah in comparison with the air quality rules and
regulations determined by KUEPa (kuepsa, 2001)
Pollutant
Ozone
Averaging period
8 hrs
Permissible limit
60 (ppb)
Ozone
Hourly
80 (ppb)
NO2
Daily
50 (ppb)
NO2
Hourly
100 (ppb)
NO2
Annual
30 (ppb)
SO2
Hourly
170 (ppb)
SO2
SO2
CO
Annual
Daily
Daily
30 (ppb)
60 (ppb)
8000 (ppb)
6-9 am
0.24 (ppm)
NMHC
bioindicator plants were highly injured even after one
week of exposure. Similar studies, incorporating instrumental monitoring and phytodetection with ozonebioindicator plants, have demonstrated the occurrence of
ozone at potentially phytotoxic levels in other rural and
forest areas in Greece (Saitanis and Karandinos, 2001;
Saitanis, 2003; Saitanis et al. 2003).
KUEPA has not yet established any long-term objectives for ozone levels in the near future (5-15 years).
Long-term objectives have been established for Europe
after considering the results of the scientific experiments
conducted in the framework of the UN-ECE project over
several years in many European countries (RigaKarandinos and Saitanis, 2005).
Current permissible limit in Europe, has been set to an
AOT40 value of 3000 ppb*h above which direct adverse
effects on trees, crops and natural vegetation may occur
(Benton et al. 2000). AOT40 is the sum of the
exceedances of the hourly ozone concentrations above the
threshold of 40 ppb, during the daylight hours over a period of three months. The level of 40 ppb (80 µg/m3) of O3
should not be considered as a lower concentration limit in
Europe for biological effects, since some biological
#Exceedances/year
6/2000
1/2004
6/2000
5/2001
1/2002
1/2003
3/2004
95/2000
48/2001
41/2002
93/2003
73/2004
234/2000
237/2001
342/2002
259/2003
323/2004
5/(2000-2004)
5/2000
8/2002
12/2003
17/2004
1/2003
5/2003
6/2004
120/2000
85/2001
178/2002
172/2003
207/2004
responses may occur below that value (EEA, 2003a; EEA,
2003b). By comparison with other major European cities,
Al-Manosriah exceeded the number of permissible limit
exceedances (8 hr rolling average) in the same duration of
monitoring in Paris (Vardoulakis et al. 2002) and
Aberdeen (Marr et al. 2007).
SO2 levels in Al-Mansoriah were generally high, which
on the other hand, risks inhabitants of acute and chronic
exposure to the pollutant. The KUEPA permissible limit
(30 ppb) was violated in 2003 (annual threshold) and 5
exceedances were recorded in 2003 based on daily rolling
averages. This also was typical of a Greek metropolis
(Volos), were levels were monitored on the basis of a
rolling average as well (Riga-Karandinos and Saitanis,
2005). It was also noticed that SO2 levels exceeded the
European threshold limit for human protection reported
previously (EAA, 2003a). Concerning NO2, 279 average
exceedances per year were observed during the five years
of monitoring for the short term (1 hr) limit. The corresponding annual permissible limit (30 ppb) was exceeded
during the monitoring period (Table 1). For carbon
monoxide (CO) the limit value (8000 ppb) of a daily mean
was exceeded 6 times in 2004.
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The Journal of Engineering Research Vol. 6, No. 2 (2009) 52-63
Methane (CH4) and non-methane hydrocarbons
(NMHC) levels were monitored as well. KUEPA has not
yet established any regulation for CH4 in Kuwait. It has,
however, set a daily permissible limit (0.24 ppm) for the
period 6-9 am for NMHC. The analysis of data showed
that NMHC recorded 153 exceedances (average) during
the five years of monitoring. The number of exceedances
increased gradually on an annual basis (Table 1).
4.2. Diurnal Patterns of the Pollutants
A good way of unraveling the dynamics and patterns
of air pollutants is to examine their diurnal pattern. The
average diurnal patterns of O3, NMHC, CH4, NO, NO2,
CO, H2S and SO2 levels for each month of the year were
examined (Fig. 2). Significant variations were observed
between the pollutants studied in both, the recorded levels
and diurnal patterns. It was observed that, in AlMansoriah residential area, CO, NO and NO2, exhibit the
typical urban daily pattern of primary air pollutants characterized by two peaks, one in the morning and one late in
the evening (Riga-Karandinos and Saitanis, 2005). This
pattern coincides with the human activities (traffic, open
market hours and central heating). SO2 exhibited an
unstable diurnal fluctuation. SO2 levels have been commented to be driven not only for the emissions but also
from the levels of O3 and OH (Harrison and Perry, 1986)
and the solar radiation (Riga-Karandinos and Saitanis,
2005). Khoder's (2002) results show that the oxidation
processes and conversion of SO2 to sulfate and of NO2 to
nitrate (NO3) depend on the photochemical oxidation and
that the sulfur conversion ratio increases with increasing
ozone concentration.
The NO levels were higher during the months from
October to March. During these months, the lower solar
radiation intensity does not allow intense photochemical
reactions (Riga-Karandinos and Saitanis, 2005), which
would lead to NO destruction. The concentrations of NO,
from April to September, were lower than during October
to March months. However, during all, high and low NO
months, the two typical peaks - one early in the morning
and another in the evening - were present
The patterns of O3 show a clear seasonal and diurnal
variation (increased ozone levels during months from
April to September and a strong daytime photochemical
ozone buildup due to photooxidation of precursor gasses)
showing more intense photochemical processes during the
luminous hours of the days and during the high sunlight
season (Fig. 2). According to (Simpson et al. 1995), annual cycle of ozone over mid-latitudes shows mainly two
kinds of seasonal behavior, either with a broad summer
maximum, generally attributed to local photochemical
productions and typical of populated and industrialized
areas, or with a spring maximum, of more controversial
origin, typical of remote regions and associated to background conditions. The high rush-hour traffic during early
morning between 7:30 am to 9:00 am (weekdays); and
8:00 pm to 9:30 pm (weekends), well before sun radiation
is strong enough to trigger photochemical reactions of
ozone formation leads to ozone destruction shown in Fig.
2 as ozone decrease.
The witnessed patterns of CO were, somewhat, inverse
to those of ozone. It was clear that seasonal variations of
ozone affected indirectly the seasonal pattern of CO.
Ozone is the photochemical precursor of hydroxyl radicals (OH) in the lower troposphere. Reaction with OH
removes most gases of natural and anthropogenic origin
from the atmosphere (Jockel et al. 2003). It is also a fact
that the main mechanism for the removal of CO from the
atmosphere is the reaction of OH. On the other hand, tropospheric oxidation reactions of CO in the presence of
sufficient NO also lead to the production of substantial
amounts of ozone. The comparison of the diurnal patterns
of O3 and CO, suggests that the depletion of O3 and the
enhancement of CO, during the non-photochemistry hours
(early morning and late in the evening), come from the O3
titration when mixed with urban emissions and simultaneously the anthropogenic release of CO. This pattern of
CO may be the typical signature of urban influence (Fig.
2).
Regarding CH4 patterns, a clear increase was witnessed in the early morning hours (5-7 am) associated
with restaurants and other gas operated businesses opening hours. The same is clear for non-methane hydrocarbons (NMHC). The levels increase for both pollutants
and reach their peak in the three summer break months, ie.
July, August and September. This could be attributed to
the increasing activities in luxurious areas like AlMansoriah in the summer time.
4.3. Wind and Pollutants' Concentrations Roses
In order to investigate the predominant sources affecting Al-Mansoriah residential area, five years mean wind
rose and concentration roses for the air pollutants (O3,
NMHC, CH4, NO, NO2, CO, H2S and SO2), around the
receptor point, (Al-Mansoriah polyclinic) were analyzed.
Kuwait is characterized by north/northwestern winds (primary direction) contributing to over 70% of the winds
around the year (Khan and Al-Salem, 2007). Figure 3
shows the 150 wind speed rose executed for the period of
study around Al-Mansoriah. West/west-northern and
north/northwestern winds covering the corridor of wind
direction between 285-3300, establish the primary wind
direction with average winds exceeding 6 ms-1. All wind
and pollutants' concentrations' roses in this study are in a
blowing form manner.
Southeastern winds could be considered as secondary
winds ( 6 ms-1 ) in the case of Al-Mansoriah residential
area, as well as the state of Kuwait over the past 30 years
(Al-Hajraf et al. 2005).
In the case of H2S, the concentration rose reveals a
spike value (3450- exceeding 5 ppb) in the direction of
Sharq district in Kuwait city (Fig. 4). Backed up sewage
and municipal work has been commenced in the period of
study in which pedestrians in the district use to complain
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The Journal of Engineering Research Vol. 6, No. 2 (2009) 52-63
2.4
Jan
Apr
July
Oct
2.4
2.3
Mar
Jun
Sep
Dec
1.30
1.25
1.20
CO (ppm)
CH4 (ppm)
2.3
2.2
Feb
May
Aug
Nov
2.2
2.1
2.1
1.15
1.10
1.05
1.00
2.0
0.95
2.0
0.90
1.9
1
6
11
16
21
1
6
11
16
21
Hour
Hour
1.2
85
1.1
75
65
0.9
NO2 (ppb)
NMHC (ppm)
1.0
0.8
0.7
0.6
55
45
35
0.5
25
0.4
15
0.3
1
6
11
Hour
16
1
21
3
5
7
9
11 13
Hour
15
17
19
21
23
80
8
70
60
H2S (ppb)
NO (ppb)
6
50
40
30
5
20
10
3
0
1
5
9
13
17
Hour
21
1
6
11
Hour
16
21
16
21
45
39
40
35
34
SO2 (ppb)
30
O3(ppb)
25
20
15
29
24
10
5
19
0
1
6
11
Hour
16
21
14
1
6
11
Hour
Figure 2. Plots of monthly diurnal patterns of air pollutants in Al-Mansoriah
for suffering rotten eggs odor (typical of H2S vented or
other type of emissions from municipal manholes) in
Sharq. Other directions on the concentration rose show
similar emission strength from wind corridors, which are
typical for urban and suburban areas (Khan and Al-Salem,
2007).
Methane gas followed typical behavior in almost every
case (excluding industrial sites), being uniform from all
wind directions (Fig. 5). CH4 averaged at 2 ppm, which is
also typical of Kuwaiti urban areas as previously reported
in Fahaheel (Al-Salem and Khan, 2006; Al-Salem et al.
2008a) and Al-Riqa (Al-Salem et al. 2008b; Al-Salem et
al. 2008c; Al-Salem and Al-Fadhlee, 2008). CO also
showed typical urban behavior and concentration rose
trend; being uniform around the receptor point and averaging about 1 ppm (Fig. 5). Daily activities in AlMansoriah contribute greatly to both CH4 and CO concentration roses. Automobile emissions, dry cleaning services, gas dispensing networks and restaurant emissions; all
contribute to both pollutants. Sources of these emissions
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The Journal of Engineering Research Vol. 6, No. 2 (2009) 52-63
Figure 3. Plot (rose) of the average wind speed (ms-1) monitored in Al-Mansoriah during the period
(January 2000 to December 2004)
Figure 4. Plot (rose) of the average H2S (ppb) monitored in Al-Mansoriah during the period (from January
2000 to December 2004)
Figure 5. Plot (rose) of average CH4, NMHC and CO concentration rose (ppm) monitored in Al-Mansoriah
during the period (from January 2000 to December 2004)
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The Journal of Engineering Research Vol. 6, No. 2 (2009) 52-63
are distributed around the receptor point, which explains
the trends left by both CH4 and CO on the roses.
Regarding NMHC, the concentration rose shows a peak in
the emission strength in the northwestern direction (Fig.
5).
Figure 6 shows the concentration rose for NO and NO2
gases around the receptor point. Northern winds (covering
345-150) were clearly the richest in both pollutants
(exceeding 60 ppb for NO2 and 70 ppb for NO). This
direction corresponds to Kuwait city, which hosts a number of combustion sources that contribute to NO and NO2
levels in the ambient.
Opposite to NOx, winds blowing from northwestern
and eastern directions showed higher ozone levels (Fig.
7). NOx titration and other sets of reactions fade ozone
from the lower atmosphere, which also explains the NO
primary direction of north. SO2 was present around the
receptor point in an almost equal level of 25 ppb (Fig. 8).
4.4. Weekend/ Weekday Variations
During the past decade, weekend/weekday differences
in levels of air pollutants (especially of O3) have been a
subject of research interest (Marr and Harley, 2002;
Vandaele et al. 2002; Fujita et al. 2003, Riga-Karandinos
and Saitanis, 2005). Although, weekly changes in the
emissions caused by human activities are known to affect
the weekly cycle of ambient pollutant concentrations, this
emission-concentration relationship, in urban, suburban
and rural sites, is not well elucidated as it is reflected in
controversial reports (Blier and Winer, 1999; Pun et al.
2003). In the state of Kuwait, during the period of the
study, the weekend was on Thursdays and Fridays (nowadays the weekend has shift to Fridays and Saturdays).
In weekends (Thursdays and Fridays), the emissions of
anthropogenic pollutants and especially of O3 precursors,
are believed to be lower compared to those occurring during weekdays, because car traffic is lower and several polluting plants and factories may be less active or inactive.
Many approaches have been used for the study of the socalled weekend effect, meaning the occurrence of
increased O3 levels and decreased NOx during weekends
in comparison to weekdays. Near constant O3 levels, during weekdays, in the face of strong weekday/weekend
variations in NOx, should also be viewed as a weekend
effect (Fujita et al. 2003).
After taking into account the shift in the relaxing days
and the days of high anthropogenic activities in Kuwait, in
comparison to the west countries, in this study, we analyzed the monthly averages of mean hourly O3 and NO
concentrations during Sunday-Tuesday vs. the corresponding concentrations on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and
Saturday, recorded in Al-Mansoriah, (Fig. 9). In Table 2,
the relevant linear regression equations and the corresponding correlation coefficients are given.
Concerning O3, the slops of linear regressions revealed
that Wednesday concentrations were very close to those
occurring in during Sun-Tue (Fig. 9; Table 2).
Unexpectedly, Thursdays-Saturdays O3 concentrations
were much lower than Sun-Tue concentrations. Regarding
NO, during Wednesdays and Thursday the slops were
clearly close to one indicating similar levels occurring
during these two days to those occurring during Sun-Tue.
On the other hand, NO levels were clearly much lower on
Fridays than ones occurring during Sun-Tue (Fig. 9;
Table 2). Elevated NOx levels can always inhibit O3 production either by NO titration of O3 or by reaction of NO2
and OH to form HNO3 -nitric acid- (Riga-Karandinos and
Saitanis, 2005). Synoptically, O3 decreases more rapidly
with reductions in NOx emissions, than with reductions in
VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds) in NOx-sensitive
regions (ie. abundant VOCs relative to NOx). While in
VOCs-sensitive regions (ie. abundant NOx relative to
VOCs) a decrease in NOx emissions may cause an
increase in O3 because of reduced titration or reduced formation of HNO3. Locations where ozone increases during
weekends, while NOx emissions are significantly lower
should be considered VOCs-limited (Blanchard and
Tanenbaum, 2003). Thus, in the case of Al-Mansoriah residential area, signs of being a NOx sensitive region are
very clear although NOx levels are not always higher on
weekends, suggesting a strongly influential background
effect.
The reduction of anthropogenic emissions during
weekends is expected to reduce proportionally equally
anthropogenic VOCs (AVOCs) and NOx. In addition to
the above-discussed role of VOCs in the ''weekend effect'',
it is the high early morning rush-hour traffic on weekends
that allow ozone concentrations to rise from a significantly lower concentration and therefore reaching lower overall weekend concentrations.
A number of studies demonstrate a wide range in the
weekday/weekend O 3 behavior. Marr and Harley
(2002) suggest that NO x concentrations are consistently
lower on weekends relative to weekdays by
approximately 30 –40%, while VOC changes are less
pronounced ( approximately 10%). The explanation of
weekday/weekend variation, due to NO x reduction, is
supported by a wide range of analyses of ambient data
and several photochemical studies, while changes in the
timing and location of emissions and meteorological
factors play sma ller roles in weekend O 3 behavior
(Heuss et al. 2003; Riga-Karandinos and Saitanis,
2005). Analyses of ambient air quality data and
emissions forecasts for weekdays and weekends may
improve considerably our understanding of the effects
of control strategi es and of future changes in emissions
on future ambient O 3 concentrations.
60
The Journal of Engineering Research Vol. 6, No. 2 (2009) 52-63
Figure 6. Plot (rose) of average NO and NO2 concentration rose (ppb) monitored in Al-Mansoriah during the
the period (from January 2000 to December 2004)
Figure 7. Plot (rose) of average O3 concentration rose (ppb) monitored in Al-Mansoriah during the period
(from January 2000 to December 2004)
Figure 8. Plot (rose) of average O3 concentration rose (ppb) monitored in Al-Mansoriah during the
period (from January 2000 to December 2004)
61
60
60
50
50
40
40
Thur
Wed
The Journal of Engineering Research Vol. 6, No. 2 (2009) 52-63
30
20
30
20
O3
10
10
NO
0
0
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
40
50
60
Midweek
60
60
50
50
40
40
Sat
Fri
Midweek
30
30
20
20
10
10
0
0
0
10
20
30
Midweek
40
50
60
0
10
20
30
Midweek
Figure 9. Regression plots of the monthly averages of the mean hourly ozone (dashed line) and NO (solid line)
concentrations during midweek (Sun-Tues) vs. the corresponding concentrations of the rest of the
week
exceedances in the five years of monitoring. The diurnal
Table 2. Regression equations of mean hourly ozone
patterns of the studied pollutants were investigated and
concentrations during (Sun-Tues) vs. the
revealed a seasonal variation in ozone levels. An inverse
corresponding mean hourly ozone concenpattern was witnessed for CO. On the other hand,
tratopns on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday,
methane patterns showed an increase in the early morning
and Saturday (X)
hours associated with the anthropogenic activates in the
area.
Day/
Series of concentration roses were executed around the
(Pollutant)
receptor point (ie. polyclinic) to determine the influential
Wednesday/ O 3
Y = 0.91X
r = 0.28
pollution sources around Al-Mansoriah. Methane and CO
Wednesday/ NO
Y = 1.02X
r = 0.24
showed typical urban area patterns, while NO and NO2
Thursday/ O 3
Y = 0.78X
r = 0.40
Thursday/ NO
Y = 0.97X
r = 0.87
concentration roses revealed a primary source situated in
Friday/ O 3
Y = 0.54X
r = 0.64
northern wind corridor (covering 345-150). Weekend
Friday/ NO
Y = 0.77X
r = 0.67
effect analysis revealed that the area under investigation
Saturday/ O 3
Y = 0.48X
r = 0.46
was a NOx sensitive one. The causes of the weekend O3
Saturday/ NO
Y = 1.12X
r = 0.54
effect are probably the weekend/weekday differences in
NOx emissions and the complex non-linear photochem5. Conclusions
istry of ozone. The data of this study would be useful for
future comparisons, after the operation of the new infraAfter analyzing the dataset obtained for Al-Mansoriah
structures at Kuwait city (Sharq district), which certainly
residential area, a number of exceedances were recorded,
will cause changes in pollutants levels. It is obvious that,
violating KUEPA permissible limits of air quality.
for future air quality management strategies, the developConcerning the exceedances of O3, there were no
ment of accurate, temporally and spatially resolved dayof-week emission inventories, including separate inventoexceedances violating annual or daily limits. However,
ries for weekends can promote a better understanding.
inhabitants of Al-Mansoriah were exposed to acute SO2
levels. Recorded NO2 annual, daily and hourly
62
The Journal of Engineering Research Vol. 6, No. 2 (2009) 52-63
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