Mineral dust concentrations, deposition fluxes and deposition velocities in dust episodes over Israel

Total suspended particles (TSP) and dustfall were simultaneously sampled in Jerusalem (1969-1973) and in Tel Aviv (1976-1995) to determine the deposit ion flux., particle concentration, and deposition velocity of the mineral d ust. In addition, the deposition flux of dustfall was measured throughout I srael and in the Sinai Desert during the years 1970-1973. TSP concentration s during dust pulses ("episodes") were from 10 to 120 times higher than the background values of similar to 100 mug m(-3), the maximum concentration m easured was 24,000 mug m(-3). The annual deposition flux (from pulses only) decreased from 90 g m(-2) yr(-1) in the south to 30 g m(-2) yr(-1) in the north. The local contribution to the annual deposition flux was similar to 50% in the south and near the Judean Desert in the cast but decreased to 25 % in the north. Deposition velocities of the dustfall during months without dust episodes were on the order of 1.0 cm s(-1), while during months when dust storms occurred, deposition velocities are from 2 to 6 times greater t han the back-ground, depending on the location. Monthly mean deposition vel ocities during dust episodes varied between 2.6 cm s(-1) and 9.0 cm s(-1): short term (1 hour) values up to 27 cm s(-1) have been measured.