Geochemical Composition of Aeolian Dust and Surface Deposits from the Qatar Peninsula

摘要: The trace metal geochemistry of atmospheric dust and terrestrial surface particles were studied on the Qatar Peninsula from February 2014 to November 2015. We included samples of the mega dust-storm event on 01–02 April 2015. Atmospheric dust samples were collected using passive dust traps. Terrestrial surface deposits of recent dust accumulation and traffic particulate from roads were also sampled. All samples were total acid digested and analyzed for major and trace elements using ICP-OES analyzer. The concentration of thirteen elements (Ca, Mg, Ag, As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Mo, Ni, Se, Sn, Sr, Zn) were enriched in atmospheric dust samples, relative to upper continental crust (UCC). Calcium was especially enriched by up to 435% relative to UCC. About 33% of the total sample mass was CaCO3, reflecting the composition of surface rocks and soils in the source areas. Of the elements typically associated with …