University of Tehran Press Journal of the Earth and Space Physics 2538-371X 48 4 2023 02 20 Spatial Analysis of PM2.5 Concentration over Iraq during 2003-2020 Spatial Analysis of PM2.5 Concentration over Iraq during 2003-2020 173 182 89228 10.22059/jesphys.2022.344671.1007441 FA M. Wid Sadar Department of Atmospheric Sciences, College of Science, Mustansiriyah University, Baghdad, Iraq. E-mail: wid9777@yahoo.com H. Monim Al-Jiboori Corresponding Author, Department of Atmospheric Sciences, College of Science, Mustansiriyah University, Baghdad, Iraq. E-mail: mhaljiboori@gmail.com K. Yaseen Al-Timimi Department of Atmospheric Sciences, College of Science, Mustansiriyah University, Baghdad, Iraq. E-mail: yaseen.k.abbas@gmail.com Journal Article 2022 06 21 The particulate matter with a diameter of 2.5 μm (PM_2.5) concentration seriously impacts the environment, climate, and human health. PM_2.5 emissions are caused by anthropogenic or natural sources and are still a problem worldwide. In this study, monthly, seasonal, and annual spatial distributions of PM_2.5 concentrations were analyzed over Iraq for the period 2003 to 2020 by use of the geographic information system technique. The results indicated that the PM_2.5 concentration was higher in summer than in winter and autumn. The monthly mean maximum values of PM_2.5 occurred during June and July with 8.4 and 8.7 µg/m³ over central and southern regions of Iraq, respectively, while monthly means of minimum values were observed during November over northern and western regions. These results conclude that the magnitude of outdoor PM_2.5 concentrations varies among seasons and regions. Also, the annual means of PM_2.5 were less than the standard maximum permissible limits, and their seasonal means were smaller than this limit at all seasons. The particulate matter with a diameter of 2.5 μm (PM_2.5) concentration seriously impacts the environment, climate, and human health. PM_2.5 emissions are caused by anthropogenic or natural sources and are still a problem worldwide. In this study, monthly, seasonal, and annual spatial distributions of PM_2.5 concentrations were analyzed over Iraq for the period 2003 to 2020 by use of the geographic information system technique. The results indicated that the PM_2.5 concentration was higher in summer than in winter and autumn. The monthly mean maximum values of PM_2.5 occurred during June and July with 8.4 and 8.7 µg/m³ over central and southern regions of Iraq, respectively, while monthly means of minimum values were observed during November over northern and western regions. These results conclude that the magnitude of outdoor PM_2.5 concentrations varies among seasons and regions. Also, the annual means of PM_2.5 were less than the standard maximum permissible limits, and their seasonal means were smaller than this limit at all seasons. https://jesphys.ut.ac.ir/article_89228_798ebdd186b3fc96d51b6e863575df27.pdf