title: Spatial and temporal variations of dust particle deposition at three "urban/suburban" areas in Sfax city (Tunisia).
abstract: Particle deposition in three selected "urban/suburban" sites in Sfax city, southern Tunisia, was studied through biweekly monitoring particulate deposits from April 12 to November 26, 2014. Two sites (S1 and S2) were located at the proximity of well-exposed cross-roads; however, the third (S3) was located at a street canyon. A very high fluctuation in those particle fluxes, ranging from 0.1 and 17.9 g/m(2), was clearly observed. Spatiotemporal distribution of the deposited particulate fluxes proved the concomitant effects of multiple (local and synoptic) sources. The industrial contribution rate in terms of particulate deposits was demonstrated to be negligible, and as for that of traffic, it was confirmed to be more significant. The highest particulate deposition seemed to be associated with the sirocco wind phenomenon. Humidity appeared as a main parameter reinforcing the particle deposition (by gathering process); however, the rain was considered as an important factor in terms of atmosphere washing. The intersite distribution was also threatened by local wind movements, shown as a non-negligible factor in terms of deposition, especially in the street canyon.
authors.affiliation: Unité de recherche Etude et Gestion des Environnements Côtiers et Urbains, Faculté des Sciences de Sfax, Université de Sfax, BP 1171, 3000, Sfax, Tunisia.
authors.forename: Rim
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Dammak
authors.affiliation: Unité de recherche Etude et Gestion des Environnements Côtiers et Urbains, Faculté des Sciences de Sfax, Université de Sfax, BP 1171, 3000, Sfax, Tunisia.
authors.forename: Moez
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bahloul
authors.affiliation: Unité de recherche Etude et Gestion des Environnements Côtiers et Urbains, Faculté des Sciences de Sfax, Université de Sfax, BP 1171, 3000, Sfax, Tunisia.
authors.forename: Iness
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Chabbi
authors.affiliation: Unité de recherche Etude et Gestion des Environnements Côtiers et Urbains, Faculté des Sciences de Sfax, Université de Sfax, BP 1171, 3000, Sfax, Tunisia. chafaiazri@yahoo.fr.
authors.forename: Chafai
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Azri
mesh_terms: D000393:Air Pollutants / Q000032:analysis*; D002947:Cities; D004391:Dust / Q000032:analysis*; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D006813:Humidity; D052638:Particulate Matter / Q000032:analysis*; D011891:Rain; D014416:Tunisia; D014919:Wind
chemical_list: D000393:Air Pollutants; D004391:Dust; D052638:Particulate Matter
keywords: Local and synoptic sources; Meteorology; Particulate deposition fluxes; Sfax; “Urban/suburban” sites