Depositional characteristics of Be-7 and Pb-210 in Kuwaiti dust

Dust fallout fluxes of Pb-210 and Be-7 were measured in Kuwait during October 2009-August 2011. The annual average depositional fluxes of Pb-210 and Be-7 were 134 and 422 Bq m(-2), respectively. The temporal variations of both radionuclides showed a maximum deposition during April of 2010 and 2011. A strong linear relationship between Be-7 and Pb-210 was found. The average dust depositional rate was about 50 mg m(-2) h(-1) with a maximum of 460 mg m(-2) h(-1), while the extreme value of 664 mg m(-2) h(-1) was recorded in March 2011 when a massive dust storm hit Kuwait. The Pb-210 deposition has a strong correlation with dust deposition because of its terrestrial abundance. Whereas the Be-7 a radionuclide shows a weaker correlation with dust deposition.