Sand and dust storm trajectories from Iraq Mesopotamian flood plain to Kuwait.

Although Kuwait is greatly impacted by sand and dust storms (SDS) from Southern Iraq, to date little is known about the nature of these storms. Kuwait is vulnerable to SDS trajectories from the middle Euphrates region, specifically, from two "hot spot" areas (Al-Batha and Mamlahat Al-Samawah) of 4550 km2 located 250 km from its northern border. This study explores the transboundary SDS jets originating from Southern Iraq using Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) images obtained from Aqua and Terra satellites over a twelve-year period (2007-2018). Furthermore, an analysis of a 5-day diurnal variation (two days prior, the day of the SDS occurrence, and two days after) explored the hourly patterns of visibility and wind speed, as well as grain size distribution of soil samples to better understand grain size compositions and sediment transport mechanisms. Satellite images confirmed that dust storm jets originated from the "hot spot" in southern Iraq and spread over Kuwait and extended to neighboring Arab Gulf countries as far as Bahrain (900 km) and Qatar (1200 km). In general, the highest wind speed and lowest visibility values were recorded in Northern of Kuwait, with suspended dust sustained for two days following the dust storm. The largest silt and clay fractions (grains ≤63 µm) were identified at the center and west Sabkha region of the "hot spot" area. Very fine sand particles (63-250 µm) were identified within the crescent sand dunes (Barchans) and artificial sand dunes (Al-Fajr). It is recommended that sustainable rehabilitation and land restoration of the "hot spot" area will result in the elimination of the long-range transport of SDS jet streams affecting the downwind Gulf countries.

Exposure levels of air pollution (PM2.5) and associated health risk in Kuwait.

It is well established that respiratory and cardiovascular mortality and morbidity rates are associated with poor air quality as measured by high concentrations of fine particulate matter such as PM2.5 parameters. Since such information is lacking for the State of Kuwait, this study examined the exposure levels of PM2.5 and the associated health risk as evaluated by five mortality measures embodied in ischemic heart disease, stroke, lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and acute lower respiratory infection as well as two morbidity outcomes related to both cardiovascular and respiratory diseases. The measurement models utilized in this investigation followed the WHO guidelines. Over a span of a four-year period (2014-2017), the annual PM2.5 concentration levels ranged from 38.0 µg/m3 to 75.2 µg/m3. In general, exposure levels tended to fluctuate throughout the day with the higher levels recorded during rush hours (early morning and early evening), weekends (particularly Saturdays), and summer (i.e., August and September). The highest number of excess cases and attributable proportions of premature mortalities were related to ischemic heart disease and stroke at 352 (95% CI 275-426) and 70.8% (95% CI 39.7-85.2), respectively. In general, respiratory diseases showed a higher number of excess cases and attributable proportions than cardiovascular diseases. Relative to other findings on the global stage, the results emanating from Kuwait are emerging on the higher side. The study outcomes suggest that control strategies are in dire need to bend the pollution levels in Kuwait.