SOME DATA ON ELEMENTAL COMPOSITION OF AIRBORNE PARTICULATE MATTER IN THE NORTHERN NEGEV DESERT, ISRAEL

Airbone particulate samples were collected during 1989 in the northern Negev desert, Israel, using two Sierra ultra-high-volume dust sampler s with cascade impactors on glass-fibre filters. A total of 12 element s were detected, of which only eight were present in relatively high c oncentrations, as was indicated by using an x-ray spectra XL-LINK syst em. During the study period, the mean annual airborne concentration wa s 102 mu g.m(-3), with a minimum and maximum concentration of 0.17 and 1.376 mu g.m(-3) per 12 hours, respectively. Eight elements (Al, Si, Ca, S, K, Cl, Fe, and Ti) were found in relatively high concentrations . A comparison between our results and the results obtained in other r emote desert areas indicates the region's characteristics - particular ly its vertical lack of vegetation and its soil composition largely of crustal rock.