Spatio-temporal variability of dust events in the northern Persian Gulf from 1991 to 2020

Abstract

The present study was to evaluate the frequency distribution of dust events by analysing on long-term data over the northern Persian Gulf (NPG). The study results accordingly revealed that the Persian Gulf (PG) on the northwest had been affected by the dust deposition transported more often by strong northwesterly winds, along with the atmospheric turbulence from some sources in Iraqi deserts. However, the eastern parts of the PG had been influenced by wind-induced dust at or nearby the stations in this study. Kish Island had accordingly experienced the highest frequency of dust events and Siri Island had seen the highest frequency of dust storms due to high-speed winds and vicinity to Saudi Arabian deserts. The largest number of the dust events, originating from external sources, had further occurred in summer and late spring (May to July), whereas the peak frequency of the dust storms from domestic sources was seen in spring. Spring was a transitional season and dust events could thus happen due to atmospheric instability. The dust events had also stricken in the warm months of the year though the atmospheric fronts in February had created many dust storm events. As well, the rising or falling trends of the dust storms depended on precipitation and drought intensity in this region. Finally, the study results demonstrated that atmospheric patterns such as shamal winds, precipitation rate, wind speed/direction, as well as the distance from dust sources could contribute to the dust storm events over the NPG.