Characteristics of PM₁₀ at industrial cities using integrated analytical techniques: Al-Jubail and Ras Tanura case study

Following standard protocols, a comprehensive sampling campaign for particulate matter pollutants at two major industrial cities (Al-Jubail and Ras Tanura) on the East Coast of Saudi Arabia was conducted. Total mass and morphological and mineralogical composition of the fine fractions (PM₁₀) of samples are determined using several complementary systems. These systems include hybrid nephelometric and radiometric technique to monitor particulate mass, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray fluorescence, and inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy. Results show that PM₁₀ mass concentration in Al-Jubail and Ras Tanura is within the KSA national and international standards (24 h mean = 100 ± 20 µg/m³ and 13 days Range = 50–250 µg/m³). Scanning electron microscopy analysis shows that particulate observed in Al-Jubailwe are mostly irregular and clustered, while particulate in Ras Tanura are dispersed, with shapes mixed between irregular and spherical. In general, particulate observed in Ras Tanura have a larger size than those found in Al-Jubail. Trace metals and heavy metals were detected in both cities but within allowable range.