Evaluating the Computational Values of Suspended Particles Below ۱۰ μm With Their Actual Concentration

Background & Aims of the Study: Dust as a phenomenon is among the significant problems in numerous regions of Iran and other countries. Empirical equations can be used to estimate the concentration of particulate matter. This study evaluated computational values of suspended particles less than ۱۰ μm with their actual concentration in Ahvaz city based on a linear regression model. Materials and Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted from April ۲۰۱۶ to March ۲۰۱۸. The dust images were obtained from the MODIS sensor of the Aqua satellite. The meteorological data included ۳-hour horizontal visibility data recorded in m. PM۱۰ concentration data were obtained from the Environment Organization. Accordingly, ۵ empirical equations between horizontal visibility and PM۱۰ have been used in this case. The calculated values of particulate matter less than ۱۰ μm in Ahvaz City, Iran, were evaluated with actual values of PM۱۰ based on the linear regression model. Results: The study results suggested that the computational R index for empirical equations had higher accuracy in ۲۰۱۷ data. The coefficients of determination using D’Almeida (۱۹۸۶), Dayan (۱۹۸۶), Chung (۲۰۰۳), Jugder et al. (۲۰۱۴), and Camino et al. (۲۰۱۵) indicators were calculated as ۰.۸۷, ۰.۸۰۶, ۰.۷۴۵, ۰.۸۷۳, and ۰.۸۶۶, respectively. Conclusion: Jugder et al. (۲۰۱۴) index with R² equal to ۰.۵۴۸۶۶۷ was the best index for estimating PM۱۰ in this region. The study results showed that empirical equations could estimate particulate matter and dust in southwestern Iran