1. How did the burning of the Kuwaiti oil fields affect the climate of the Middle East in the short term?
1.1. Air pollution
1.1.1. Oil emitted many pollutants
1.1.1.1. Sudden drop in air quality
1.2. Smoke covered the skies
1.2.1. Little sunlight
1.2.1.1. Temperature drop of 4-6 degrees Celsius
2. How long did it take for the region to return to the pre-burning state?
2.1. Air quality went down very suddenly
2.1.1. Air quality recovered within a few months
2.2. Oil Lakes formed
2.2.1. The oil smothered plants, animals. They also mixed with sand and gravel to form an impermeable surface that sits on top of the ground and harms the ecosystem
2.2.1.1. Has not recovered
2.2.2. Harms seed germination
2.2.2.1. Has not recovered
3. How did it affect the people in the area?
3.1. Air Pollution
3.1.1. Petroleum burning emitted many pollutants
3.1.1.1. Volatile Organic Compounds
3.1.1.1.1. Within months, concentrations were lower than in many American cities
3.1.1.2. Carbon dioxide
3.1.1.2.1. Only increased global emissions by 3% for 1991
3.1.1.3. Heavy Metals
3.1.1.3.1. Minimal, failed to reach upper atmosphere
3.1.1.4. Sulfur dioxide
3.1.1.4.1. Minimal, failed to reach upper atmosphere
3.1.1.5. Particulate matter
3.1.1.5.1. High concentrations caused Gulf War syndrome, a phenomenon in which many people in the area developed respiratory diseases due to the air containing so much particulate matter
3.1.2. Sudden drop in air quality
3.1.2.1. Children and elderly told to remain indoors
3.2. Smoke covered the skies
3.2.1. Little sunlight