Abstract
The aim of this study is to assess the distribution of dust over the Mediterranean region, with a special focus on the territory of Romania. Two parameters are analyzed—Dust Load (DL) and Aerosol Optical Depth (AOD), the data is obtained from the dust forecast model BSC-DREAM8b v2.0, for the period between December 2015 and February 2019. The main geographical features of dust occurrence in the Mediterranean region are presented at the monthly and annual scale. The results show that, for Romania, the dust load is high from February to June, when it reaches its annual maximum. The atmospheric circulation inducing intense dust events over Romania have also been assessed using an objective classification method. A key element for the dust transport from the Sahara toward South-Eastern Europe is represented by the development of a deep cyclone South of Italy, following thereafter a North-East path towards the Balkan peninsula. The results at the regional scale are analyzed in connection with the aerosol optical properties at the local scale (e.g., aerosol optical depth at 440 nm, Absorption Ångström Exponent and Scattering Ångström Exponent at 440 nm and 675 nm, respectively) retrieved from the Aerosol Robotic Network (AERONET-NASA) for Romania, using data from ACTRIS-RO monitoring sites from Iași, Cluj–Napoca, and Bucharest. The differences between the forecast model and the observational data are also explored. Our results also show that the contribution of the natural mineral dust to air pollution in Romania is small, representing not more than 10% of all kinds of aerosols detected over the observation points from the ACTRIS-RO network.
Highlights
The atmospheric cycle of dust particles is a complex geophysical process, strongly influenced by the combined effects of soil erosion in an arid region and atmospheric conditions [1]
In order to obtain an illustration of the distribution and transport of the Saharan dust particles over Northern Africa, Mediterranean Sea basin, and most of Europe, monthly and annual maps were created for Dust Load (DL) and Aerosol Optical Depth (AOD)
Throughout this period, the Mediterranean basin and the surrounding areas are under the influence of two types of jet streams: one of polar origin, which is usually located over the Northern and Central
Summary
The atmospheric cycle of dust particles is a complex geophysical process, strongly influenced by the combined effects of soil erosion in an arid region and atmospheric conditions [1]. Due to its impact on the climate and the environment, the topics related to the dust of desert origin are currently the subject of active research. Estimations [3] indicated that annually, at a global scale, one billion tons of desert dust is transported into the lower and middle troposphere. Atmosphere 2020, 11, 349 such events affect several human activities that depend on air visibility, like ground transportation or aviation. They represent a net contributor to air pollution, leading to significant increases in particulate matter concentrations [4], with a direct impact on human health, mostly causing respiratory problems and cardiovascular complaints [5]
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