Dust storm contributions to airborne particulate matter in Reykjavيk, Iceland

Episodes of high levels of particulate matter (PM) in Reykjavík occur several times a year. The main sources of daily variation in PM are traffic or highly localized (e.g. construction) sources, however several episodes have been identified where these are not the cause. Examining PM10 (diameter < 10 μm) levels around the time when dust storms are seen on satellite images, and verifying that the weather conditions are favorable for the duration of the high levels of PM (>50–100 μg m−3; 30-min average), demonstrates that dust storms are the source of these increased levels of PM10. Since satellite coverage is sparse, visual confirmation of many such peaks in PM10 cannot be achieved. The level of pollution measured in Reykjavík during dust storms indicates that at least 200 kg s−1 of PM10 sized material is being eroded and transported away from sand plains ∼110 km away – this equates to an emission rate of 35 g m2 h−1. The source regions for dust storms in Iceland are the sandur areas on the southern coast of Iceland, and regions close to the glaciers. With climate warming, and fast retreating glaciers, the potential source regions in Iceland are rapidly increasing.