  Numerous countries have built urban stations for monitoring the amount of
PM2.5 in the atmosphere. In Iraq, there aren't enough stations to monitor PM2.5
pollution levels across all governorates. As a result, satellite remote sensing
data is used in the majority of studies aimed at monitoring PM2.5 and the
impact of other factors on it. The current study aimed to analyze the spatial
and temporal distribution of (PM2.5) and its relationship with the
meteorological parameters.(Air temperature, Relative humidity, Precipitation
and wind speed) in Iraq during two periods (2001 and 2022). The dataset adopted
in the study were downloaded from the Giovanni user interface which is based on
satellite remote sensing data and reanalysis by MERRA-2model which produce by
NASA. The output results shows that, the seasonal and annual PM2.5
concentration values increased from 2001 to 2022 due especially in the center
and south of Iraq with the highest values of PM2.5 concentration recorded in
the summers of 2001 and 2022 being 172.41 micro.g/m3 and 190.06 micro.g/m3
(increased 10.24%), respectively. Because of the low average temperature and
the influence of northeasterly winds bringing continental air from Central
Asia, PM2.5 values in northern and northeastern Iraq are lower than those in
the center and southern regions. in 2001, they ranged from 8.41 to 12.6
micro.g/m3, whereas in 2022, they ranged from 9.02 to 15.98 micro.g/m3
throughout the year. Rainfall during the cold months in the north and northeast
is an essential factor in cleaning the air of PM2.5. Also, study results
indicate that the max. of PM 2.5 values have consistently exceeded the upper
limits of PM2.5 quarterly standards set by both the US and Iraqi regulations,
for the years 2001 and 2022, but the min. PM2.5 values are within both
standards.
