Diurnal and Seasonal Variation of Air Pollution at Al-Hashimeya Town, Jordan

This study aimed at using the statistical methods to assess air quality at Al-Hashimeya town in Zarqa Governorate. Three main sources at Al- Hashimeya are contributing to air pollution; Jordan Petroleum Refinery, Al Hussein Thermal Power Station, and Assamra waste water treatment plant. Reports and data relating to pollution in al Hashimeya were collected from different sources that measured the level of pollution in this area during spring season of the year 1992. Sets of data were processed, using statistical analysis. The results of the study indicated that Jordan Petroleum Refinery and al-Hussein Thermal Power Station were the two main sources of SO2 because of the combustion of fuel that contains sulphur and SO2 concentration that violated Jordanian standards. The study also showed that Assamra Station was the main source of H2S and its concentration had exceeded the Jordanian standards throughout the monitoring months. CO and NOx concentrations were within Jordanian standard. Ozone was in violation of Jordanian standards in more than 90% of the field measurements. Examination of the levels of TSP has shown that they exceeded the national standards with different degrees. Weather conditions (air Temperature, wind speed, rainfall, wind direction, cloud and relative humidity) have contributed to the high levels of air pollution.