Meteorological controls on seasonal enrichment, contamination patterns, and environmental implications of atmospheric dust-fall elements in Zakho City, northern Iraq.

Seasonal atmospheric dust fall in Zakho City shows localized enrichment of trace elements like Zn, As, Cd, and Cr, with overall low ecological and health risks.

• Why it matters: Understanding dust-bound toxic elements in semi-arid urban environments is crucial for assessing environmental and public health impacts, yet data for northern Iraq remain limited.
• What they did: The study collected dust-fall samples at four urban sites across four seasons, analyzed them with ICP-MS, and used meteorological data, pollution indices, PCA, and HCA to assess sources and patterns.
• The result: Findings indicate low pollution levels (PLI 0.759, PERI 94.754) and negligible health risks, with seasonal variations linked to meteorological conditions, surface resuspension, and urban activities, providing baseline environmental insights.