Air quality assessment for Kunooz Gabbro quarry in Oman: assessment of PM10

Abstract

This study provided an air quality assessment for Kunooz Gabbro Quarry in Al Jaffnain, Al-Seeb, Oman and focused mainly on emitted particulate matter 10 micrometers or less in diameter (PM₁₀) from different sources inside the plant. Dispersion of PM₁₀ was modeled using CALPUFF software. PM₁₀ particle emissions were modeled for the winter and the summer season. The results of the simulation showed that during the winter season, the maximum one-hour average PM₁₀ concentration occurred at the center of the quarry and was about 4,957 µg/m³. During the summer season, the maximum one-hour average PM₁₀ concentration occurred at the center of the quarry and was about 4,970 µg/m³. All the observed PM₁₀ concentrations during the summer and winter seasons exceeded the allowable one-hour average concentration of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) which is 365.21 µg/m³.