Atmospheric dry deposition of mineral dust to the Gulf of Aqaba, Red Sea: Rate and trace elements

Atmospheric dry deposition to the Gulf of Aqaba (GoA) is particularly a significant source of trace elements. Amid desert regions, the Gulf receives high fluxes of mineral dust with an average rate of 34.68 g/m2/year measured in 2012. Patterns of dry deposition showed seasonal fluxes with highest rates observed in summer and lowest in winter. The observed variations were attributed to wind direction, timing of deposition and sources of dust. The average dry fluxes of Al, Fe, Mn, Cr, Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn were 551, 440, 10.29, 1.42, 0.04, 0.68, 1.42 and 4.02 mg/m2/year, respectively. While the dry deposition fluxes were enriched in Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn indicating their dominant anthropogenic sources, they appeared to be less influenced compared to the neighboring Mediterranean area and other industrial countries, but were similar to or slightly higher than those in remote areas. The enrichment values for Fe and Mn were low, consistent with their crustal origin. The fluxes of all elements suggested the impacts of both crustal (due to climate change) and anthropogenic sources became stronger in this region. The Sahara dust was probably a minor contributor to dry deposition in the GoA.