Abstract
Numerical simulations revealed a profound interaction between the severe dust storm of 2007 caused by Santa Ana winds and the Gulf of California. The weather research and forecasting model coupled with a chemistry module (WRF-CHEM) and the hybrid single-particle Lagrangian integrated trajectory model (HYSPLIT) allowed for the estimation of the meteorological and dynamic aspects of the event and the dust deposition on the surface waters of the Gulf of California caused by the erosion and entrainment of dust particles from the surrounding desert regions. The dust emission rates from three chosen areas (Altar desert, Sonora coast, and a region between these two zones) and their contribution to dust deposition over the Gulf of California were analyzed. The Altar Desert had the highest dust emission rates and the highest contribution to dust deposition over the Gulf of California, i.e., it has the most critical influence with 96,879 tons of emission and 43,539 tons of dust deposition in the gulf. An increase of chlorophyll-a concentrations is observed coinciding with areas of high dust deposition in the northern and western coast of the gulf. This kind of event could have a significant positive influence over the mineralization and productivity processes in the Gulf of California, despite the soil loss in the eroded regions.
Highlights
IntroductionDust storms take place in the arid and semi-arid regions of the world [1]
Every year, dust storms take place in the arid and semi-arid regions of the world [1]
During the first hours of October 21, the wind direction was northern over the Gulf of California (Figure 4a)
Summary
Dust storms take place in the arid and semi-arid regions of the world [1]. The drylands such as northwest China, southwest Asia, Australia, Africa, South America, and the southwestern U.S. are some of the familiar places where these events develop. 50% of the total registered dust [1,3] Anthropogenic actions such as land clearing and unfortunate agricultural activities have a direct relation to the increase of the frequency and magnitude of dust storms [4]. Sparse vegetation in arid and semi-arid regions produce vulnerability in the soil for wind erosion, allowing the formation of dust storms [5]. Dust storms have a direct impact on human health, even being able to influence the climatic patterns and energy balance of the earth system [1,6]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
