Monitoring and zoning of long-term variation of the DSI in the eastern half of Iran

Articles in Press

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Associate Professor, Sand and Dust Storm International Research Center (SDS-IRC), Research Institute of Meteorology and Atmospheric Science (RIMAS), Tehran, Iran

2 PhD student of Meteorology, Researcher, Sand and Dust Storm International Research Center (SDS-IRC), Research Institute of Meteorology and Atmospheric Science (RIMAS), Tehran, Iran

3 PhD in Meteorology, Researcher, Sand and Dust Storm International Research Center (SDS-IRC), Research Institute of Meteorology and Atmospheric Science (RIMAS), Tehran, Iran

Abstract

Climate change is an important factor that increases the risks of wind erosion and dust storms. To study the frequency and intensity of the dust phenomenon in the eastern half of the country, the Dust Storm Index was used between 2002 and 2023. Based on the DSI, profiles of the frequency and intensity of dust storms in the study area were calculated using the geostatistical interpolation methods of Inverse distance weighted interpolation. In general, the time series of the dust storm index during the 2002–2023 statistical period showed a significant increasing trend in the Razavi Khorasan, South Khorasan, and North Khorasan. In Sistan and Baluchestan, we observed more irregular variation and no significant trends. The Zabol and Sarkhs stations had the highest number of dust storms. The results showed that the monthly average variation in the DSI in the first eight months of the year generally increased. The DSI decreased in the months following December. In terms of geographical distribution, the DSI showed higher values in the eastern and southeastern halves, and the lowest values in the northeastern regions. Analyzing the trend of variations of this index in the half-east, north-east, and south-east of the country, in addition to the south-east parts of the country, in recent years the eastern parts of Razavi Khorasan have also been involved in this phenomenon. The formation of low pressure in the southwest of Afghanistan, northwest Pakistan, and east of Iran, simultaneously with the establishment of high pressure in the north of Afghanistan and northeast of Iran, causes the creation of an intensive pressure gradient and relatively strong surface winds. These conditions activated internal and transboundary sources of dust in the study area, leading to the spread and transfer of dust to the eastern half of Iran.

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References

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Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 12 January 2025

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  • Receive Date: 29 April 2024
  • Revise Date: 04 December 2024
  • Accept Date: 12 January 2025

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