Analysis of dust changes using satellite images in Giovanni NASA and Sentinel in Google Earth Engine in western Iran

Abstract

Background and objective: Dust is one of the most important destructive climatic phenomena that cause great damage to human health and the environment every year. In Iran, due to having a 23% share of dust storms in the world and the transfer of dust from Iraq and Saudi Arabia, it is necessary to study it. Dust storms in Iran during the last few years have been a serious crisis in the western and south-western provinces of the country, including Khuzestan province, and have had dangerous consequences in the fields of environment, health, and economy. Materials and methods: This study examines the changes in the dust during the last 40 years (1980-2020) in the western and south-western regions of Iran and Iran's neighbors (Kuwait, east and southeast of Iraq, and northern Saudi Arabia). And its relationship to wind stress and vegetation has been investigated using MERRA-2 satellite imagery and model maps from the Giovanni site. Dust monitoring from June 2018 to February 2021 has also been analyzed through Google Earth Engine, a specialized web-based remote sensing system. Results and conclusion: The results show that during the 40 years under study, especially from 2020 to 2010, the volume of dust and wind stress in the study area has increased significantly. Also, dust, vegetation, wind stress have had related changes over 40 years, so that wind stress is directly related to the amount of dust and increases its effects. Also, in areas with more vegetation, there is less dust.