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The projected increase of civil aviation activity, the degradation of air quality and the location of Beirut Airport embedded in a very urbanized area, in addition to the special geography and topography surrounding the airport which plays a significant role in drawing emissions to larger distances, demanded an assessment of the spatial impact of the airport activities on the air quality of Beirut and its suburbs. This is the first study in the Middle East region that model pollutant concentrations resulting from an international airport's activities using an advanced atmospheric dispersion modelling system in a country with no data. This followed validation campaigns showing very strong correlations (r = 0.85) at validation sites as close as possible to emission sources. The modelling results showed extremely high NO2 concentrations within the airport vicinity, i.e., up to 110 μg∙m-3 (which is greater than the World Health Organization annual guidelines) posing a health hazard to the workers in the ramp. The major contribution of Beirut–Rafic Hariri International Airport to the degradation of air quality was in the airport vicinity; however, it extended to Beirut and its suburbs in addition to affecting the seashore area due to emissions along the aircraft trajectory; this is an aspect rarely considered in previous studies. On the other hand, elevated volatile organic compound levels were observed near the fuel tanks and at the aerodrome center. This study provides (ⅰ) a methodology to assess pollutant concentrations resulting from airport emissions through the use of an advanced dispersion model in a country with no data; and (ⅱ) a tool for policy makers to better understand the contribution of the airport's operations to national pollutant emissions, which is vital for mitigation strategies and health impact assessments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While sulfur dioxide (SO2) emissions have been dramatically restricted in the past few decades, some cities in developing countries still encounter high pollution levels. This makes it essential to implement an air quality monitoring network in these sensitive regions. Results from a program of measuring ground-level concentration of SO2 (from December 2004 till July 2006) at 22 curbside and background sites within the city of Beirut (Lebanon) are presented for the first time. Four-week sampling period measurements were made over 20 periods for all sites by passive sampling. Low SO2 concentrations were observed (3.1 parts per billion on average for the whole period). This value is among the lowest observed in urban areas worldwide. Thus, Beirut is not polluted by SO2 on an annual basis. Highest concentrations were measured in winter time, resulting from low height of the boundary layer and higher emissions of SO2 (e.g., heating). Cluster analysis revealed two different SO2 variation patterns over the city (high- and low-level patterns), highlighting the effects of local sources location and wind direction variability on SO2 distribution. Analysis of seasonal variations pointed out a springtime SO2 maximum in 2005. Beside local sources, long-range transport can account for an important source of SO2 in Beirut, explaining around 50% of SO2 levels within the city. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thermal remote sensing has become widely used to monitor and study Urban Heat Island (UHI) by the use of satellite Land Surface Temperature (LST) data, and the Local Climate Zone (LCZ) scheme has established itself as the standard for assessing Urban Heat Island Intensity (UHII). A lot of research on LST-LCZ relationship has been done, but mainly in flat terrain. Some studies on UHI in mountainous areas have been conducted, but most of them considered the combined effect of land use/land cover and topography on temperature. To the best of our knowledge no study has been carried out on the LST-LCZ relationship in a complex topography area after removing the topography effect. This paper presents a methodology for assessing the impact of the urban structure on UHII in Beirut, a coastal city with heterogenous urban morphology and complex topography. It was concluded that the main urban variables which contribute to the spatial variability of topographically normalized LST are, in decreasing order of relative importance, the built-up ratio, the pervious surface ratio, the buildings' mean height and mean surface area. The difference in average temperatures between high-rise densely built LCZs and mostly pervious zones exceeded two degrees at nighttime. • Assess the relationship topographically normalized LST/LCZ at fine scale in a complex environment. • Correct LST for topographic effect with Random Forest regression. • Identify LCZ groups which differ regarding their mean normalized LST with ANOVA. • Normalized LST follows LCZ spatial structure. • Normalized LST is related to built-up ratio, pervious surface ratio, buildings' mean height and mean surface area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Lebanon, the steady growth of aircraft movements at Beirut-Rafic Hariri International Airport (RHIA) and its geographical characteristics, signifies the necessity to assess the impact of Beirut airport on air quality. Up till now, no study has assessed the impact of Beirut-Rafic Hariri International Airport (RHIA) on the air quality of Beirut. Hence, we produce the first emissions inventory of Beirut airport activities (2012) - including emissions from aircraft landing and take-off (LTO) operations, ground support equipment, stationary sources, as well as airside and landside vehicles. This study, in which the first comprehensive emissions inventory in the Middle East region is conducted, provides a methodology to assess airport emissions in a country with no data. We estimated that in 2012, Beirut airport emitted 454.8 t of NO x , 50.7 t of NO 2 , 404.1 t of NO, and 24.4 t of VOCs. Results showed that aircraft emissions (Landing/Take-off cycle and auxiliary power units) dominate the airport emissions for NO x (91%), NO 2 (92%), NO (91%), and VOCs (58%). Our emissions estimates will be used in identifying the contribution of Beirut airport emissions to national emissions and in order to assess the airport's compliance with environmental legislations and to assess mitigation options. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The results of the first large scale chemical characterization of PM10 and PM2.5 at three different sites in the urban city of Beirut, Lebanon, are presented. Between May 2009 and April 2010 a total of 304 PM10 and PM2.5 samples were collected by sampling every sixth day at three different sites in Beirut. Observed mass concentrations varied between 19.7 and 521.2μgm−3 for PM10 and between 8.4 and 72.2μgm−3 for PM2.5, respectively. Inorganic concentrations accounted for 29.7–35.6μgm−3 and 46.0–53.5μgm−3 of the total mass of PM10 and PM2.5, respectively. Intra-city temporal and spatial variations were assessed based on the study of three factors: correlation coefficients (R) for PM and chemical components, coefficient of divergence (CODs), and source apportionment using positive matrix factorization (PMF). Based on R and COD of PM concentrations, the three sites appear homogeneous. However, when individual elements were compared, heterogeneity among sites was found. This latter was attributed to the variability in the percent contribution of biogenic and local anthropogenic source factors such as traffic related sources and dust resuspension. Other factors included the proximity to the Mediterranean sea, the population density and the topographical structure of the city. Hence, despite its small size (20.8km2), one PM monitoring site does not reflect an accurate PM level in Beirut. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]