Canary Islands air quality driven by natural sources and North African industry

A study conducted by the Canary Islands Air Quality Laboratory (AirCanLab) between 2024 and 2026 reveals that local emissions contribute minimally to the archipelago's air pollution. Research shows that local vehicles and industries account for only about 2 micrograms per cubic meter of the annual average PM10 levels, which typically range between 30 and 35 micrograms per cubic meter.

The majority of particulate matter in the region stems from natural sources and transboundary transport. Sea salt accounts for approximately 70% of PM10 concentrations under trade wind conditions, while Sahara dust remains the primary cause of extreme spikes in pollution levels.

Additionally, the study identified that roughly 10% of particles are transboundary pollution transported by trade winds. This includes industrial pollutants such as nitrates, sulfates, soot, and heavy metals originating from fertilizer production and thermal power plants in Morocco and Algeria. While natural dust events like 'calima' cause the highest concentration peaks, the laboratory's new chemical analysis tools allow for the precise differentiation between Saharan dust, sea salt, and industrial pollutants from other regions.