The Effect of Particulate Matter Pollution of Saharan Dust over Europe in May-2020: A Case Study of Karaman city center, Turkey

Abstract: Desert dusts rising from the African region and covered very long distances with meteorological events can be an important source of pollution for many countries from time to time. Although the dust and sand masses that remain in the atmosphere for a long time are known to be inert and stable, but some studies indicate that they are effective in vegetative production by precipitation. It is important in natural phenomena and has also revealed its effects in natural areas around it through atmospheric transport. Sahara dust, which was strongly transported from Northern Africa to Europe in mid-May 2020, affected many European countries. In Europe, the mass of hot air in the south-south-western part is reported to transport Sahara dust over the Mediterranean region to the Balkans. It is known that with decrease of Saharan dust is then passed over Turkey. Depending on the climatic conditions, the Sahara dust may remain in some regions for a little longer time. Rainy and humid weather conditions slow down flooding of dust and increase the settling rate in that region. It is known that sometimes makes mud-like precipitation is seen with precipitating. In this study, Sahara dust pollution effect and relationship were investigated on particulate matter pollution which was measured the network system in all cities in Turkey. For this purpose, before reaching the desert dust over Turkey land, when it comes to Turkey and left in the period it analysed the value of PM pollution. For this purpose, when PM measurement values of Karaman province were examined, it was revealed that the Sahra dust increased significantly in the period when it reached this region. Then, PM values were seen to come down to normal levels. Africa, Dust, Sahara, Karaman, Particulate matter, Air pollution