Geographical Analysis of Air Pollution Differences in Kirkuk

Abstract

The geographical analysis of the differences in air pollution in Kirkuk is based on the data of all three stations: (S1) on the building of the Kirkuk Environmental Office in the southwest at the longitude and latitude( "37'21°44 ـ"00'26°35), (S2) on the Shura Hospital building in the north of the city at the longitude and latitude ("54'22°44 ـ"24'31°35), and (S3) on the Kirkuk General Hospital building in the center of the city at the longitude and latitude ("19'23°44 ـ"58'27°35). Data for the years (2020 - 2024) were taken. The highest recorded concentration of air pollutants was at station (S3) due to the location of this Astation in the center of the city. The density of pollution from electric generators, restaurants, bakeries, and confectionery factories often exceeds the permitted limit.

Regarding station (S2), the high density of gas (CO₂) is due to the proximity of this station to the city’s oil wells, which are constantly burning and spreading a lot of smoke in the sky of the area. The station is located in the northwest of the city, near a main street and several government offices, which has led to high emissions.

The aim of the research is to determine the density of each of the gases (SO₂, NO, NO₂, CO, CO₂, O₃) in the air of the city.

The research methodology is comparative, analytical and descriptive based on data from three government stations located in the city