Heavy Dust Storm Research Articles

Inverse Modeling of Asian Dust Emissions with POPC Observations: A TEMM Dust Sand Storm 2014 Case Study

An inverse modeling system for estimating Asian dust emissions was developed by combining the GEOS-Chem chemical transport model with the Green's function method. We applied the system to two heavy dust storms that occurred in 2014 (10-25 March and 24 May to 5 June), using surface-based polarization optical particle counter (POPC) observations at Fukuoka. Validation by independent observation datasets, including POPC measurements and PM10 observations at Seoul, showed that the use of a posteriori dust emissions improved overestimations in the a priori simulation and achieved much better agreement with observations. Satellite observations, surface synoptic observations, and modeled wind fields indicated that the major dust source region differed between the two dust storms; the major dust outbreak of one storm occurred in the northeastern Gobi Desert, whereas that of the other occurred in the southern Gobi Desert. The a posteriori dust emissions successfully reproduced this difference. Thus, the inverse modeling system developed in this study was able to improve the estimation of not only the intensity but also the geographical distribution of dust emissions.

Effects on surface meteorological parameters and radiation levels of a heavy dust storm occurred in Central Arabian Peninsula

On 24 April 2015 a severe dust storm event arrived at Riyadh causing various problems. The quantitative impact of this dusty event on solar ultraviolet radiation UVA and UVB, global solar radiation component, downward and outgoing long-wave radiation, and some meteorological variables, was investigated and presented. The results showed significant changes in all of these parameters due to this event. Shortly after the storm arrived, UVA, UVB, global radiation, and air temperature rapidly decrease by 83%, 86%, 57.5%, and 9.4%, respectively. Atmospheric pressure increased by 4mbar, relative humidly increased from 8% to 16%, and wind direction became northerly with wind speed increasing to a maximum of 6.3m/s. Outgoing long-wave radiation decreased by 19W/m2 and downward long-wave radiation increased by 41W/m2. The dust storm caused the atmosphere to emit radiation that resembled that of a black body. The daily average of the atmospheric pressure showed no changes compared to a non-dusty day. Apart from the relative humidity (which increased by about 32%), the remainder of the variables have shown significant reduction, with different magnitudes, in their daily values due to the dust event compared to the values of a non-disturbed reference day. For instance, the daily mean values of the UVA radiation, air temperature, and outgoing long-wave radiation, decreased in the dusty day by 15.6%, 30.8% and 11.4%, respectively, as compared to the clear day.

Mineral dust aerosols promote the formation of toxic nitropolycyclic aromatic compounds.

Atmospheric nitrated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (NPAHs), which have been shown to have adverse health effects such as carcinogenicity, are formed in part through nitration reactions of their parent polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the atmosphere. However, little is known about heterogeneous nitration rates of PAHs by gaseous NO2 on natural mineral substrates, such as desert dust aerosols. Herein by employing kinetic experiments using a flow reactor and surface analysis by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy with pyridine adsorption, we demonstrate that the reaction is accelerated on acidic surfaces of mineral dust, particularly on those of clay minerals. In support of this finding, we show that levels of ambient particle-associated NPAHs in Beijing, China, significantly increased during heavy dust storms. These results suggest that mineral dust surface reactions are an unrecognized source of toxic organic chemicals in the atmosphere and that they enhance the toxicity of mineral dust aerosols in urban environments.

Short-cut transport path for Asian dust directly to the Arctic: a case study

Asian dust can be transported long distances from the Taklimakan or Gobi desert to North America across the Pacific Ocean, and it has been found to have a significant impact on ecosystems, climate, and human health. Although it is well known that Asian dust is transported all over the globe, there are limited observations reporting Asian dust transported to the Arctic. We report a case study of a large-scale heavy dust storm over East Asia on 19 March 2010, as shown by ground-based and space-borne multi-sensor observations, as well as NCEP/NCAR reanalysis data and HYSPLIT trajectories. Our analysis suggests that Asian dust aerosols were transported from northwest China to the Arctic within 5 days, crossing eastern China, Japan and Siberia before reaching the Arctic. The results indicate that Asian dust can be transported for long distances along a previously unreported transport path. Evidence from other dust events over the past decade (2001–2010) also supports our results, indicating that dust from 25.2% of Asian dust events has potentially been transported directly to the Arctic. The transport of Asian dust to the Arctic is due to cyclones and the enhanced East Asia Trough (EAT), which are very common synoptic systems over East Asia. This suggests that many other large dust events would have generated long-range transport of dust to the Arctic along this path in the past. Thus, Asian dust potentially affects the Arctic climate and ecosystem, making climate change in the Arctic much more complex to be fully understood.

Investigation of aerosol optical, physical, and radiative characteristics of a severe dust storm observed over UAE

Abstract This work presents a detailed study of the dynamical processes triggering the occurrence of the two heavy dust storms which occurred between 18 and 22 March 2012 over the Middle East. The dynamics of this event are related to the coupling of subtropical jet and polar jet over the Saudi Arabia region, resulting in massive dust storm generation and dust transport through Rub’ al Khali and the Persian Gulf to the UAE region. AOD and PM10 values showed a fourfold increase during the event reaching a maximum of 1.8 and 1653 μg/m3 respectively. The spatial extent of the dust storm is evident from high values of MODIS AOD (~ 1.5) and OMI aerosol index (4.5) covering the entire Middle East. The total attenuated backscatter at 550 nm from CALLIPSO showed the vertical extent of dust up to 8 km. In addition, surface temperature showed a decrease of almost 15 °C during the event signifying the intensity of the dust storm. Aerosol radiative forcing estimates during the dust storm showed a cooling at the surface and warming in the atmosphere, with a maximum forcing value reaching up to ~− 210 Wm− 2 (185 Wm− 2). Hence, it is evident from the present study that the dust layer caused an additional warming of ~ 150 Wm− 2 in the atmosphere over this region. The present event showcases the importance of dust storm induced aerosol optical and physical processes, and associated atmospheric dynamics over UAE as well as other affected regions.

Eolian morphogenesis and recent climate of Eurasia (paper 2. Disastrous eolian processes, dynamic differences of eolian processes in recent and glacial epochs)

Heavy dust storms within the area of eolian morphogenesis in Eurasia and orientation of eolian mineral flows are related to formation of Asian anticyclone and its influence on atmosphere. Its centre is moving from Middle and Lower Volga, Western Kazakhstan to Altai-Sayan Mountains and Northern and Central Mongolia. Formation of cyclonic whirlwinds by its periphery determines the formation of storms, hurricanes and strong blowing dust. These processes are especially strong during early spring (March-April) when contrasts of temperatures are maximal and cyclonic activity is most intensive at the polar front. When center of anticyclone is over Central Mongolia and cyclone is over the Yellow Sea and Korea eolian processes are extremely strong; in such case there happen severe dust storms in the areas of air currents convergence over the eastern Goby, plateau Ordos, and Loess plateau.

LabVIEW Based PV Panel Online Characteristics and Parameters Estimation

This paper focuses and presents the online performance, characteristics evaluation and parameters estimations for stand-alone Photovoltaic (PV) panel. The PV panel is subjected to very harsh working surrounding conditions characterized by very high air temperature, very high humidity fluctuations. The local area experience heavy and seasonal dust storms. The area is rarely cloudy and the irradiation level is on the high side in most period of the year. This experimental work is centralized around Laboratory Virtual Instrument Engineering Workbench (LabVIEW) environment. Three LabVIEW graphical programming blocks are developed to acquire data, to present numerical display and to store environment and electrical parameters. The Fourth block is dedicated to execute graphical online display of environment data. The Fifth module follows and display the electrical variables under clean and dusty condition. The sixth block is designed to acquire the I-V and P-V characteristics simultaneously. The seventh module estimates series and shunt resistance of PV panel under changing condition. The developed environment was fast and accurate in collecting and storing the data. It was very satisfactory to monitor the weather parameters and its impact on the electrical PV performance. The developed system was successful to reach I-V and P-V characteristics accurately. The series and shunt resistance were estimated and found to very close to the simulation results.

The Association between Dust Storms and Mortality in the United States, 1995-2005

Extreme weather events, including heavy rainfall, heat waves, and dust storms, are expected to increase in the frequency in the coming century. The health impacts of dust storms have been studied e...

An overview of the physico-chemical characteristics of dust at Kanpur in the central Indo-Gangetic basin

The optical, chemical, and physical properties of dust over the Indo-Gangetic basin are presented based on a campaign mode experiment conducted at Kanpur (26.52ºN, 80.23ºE), India, during April to July, 2011. During the study period, heavy dust storms and onset of south-west Indian Monsoon occurred. Based on physico-chemical characteristics, four aerosol types were identified in the region: background aerosol, dust dominated aerosol, pollution dominated aerosol, and mixed aerosol. The classification of aerosol types was found to be consistent with various aerosol properties examined and backtrajectory analysis. In addition to the locally generated aerosols, there were both short and long range transported aerosols. Aerosols of oceanic origin were encountered during late June, and July.

Size-resolved aerosol ionic composition and secondary formation at Mount Heng in South Central China

To understand the size-resolved aerosol ionic composition and the factors influencing secondary aerosol formation in the upper boundary layer in South Central China, size-segregated aerosol samples were collected using a micro-orifice uniform deposit impactor (MOUDI) in spring 2009 at the summit of Mount Heng (1269 m asl), followed by subsequent laboratory analyses of 13 inorganic and organic water-soluble ions. During non-dust-storm periods, the average PM1.8 concentration was 41.8 μg·m-3, contributing to 55% of the PM10. Sulfates, nitrates, and ammonium, the dominant ions in the fine particles, amounted to 46.8% of the PM1.8. Compared with Mount Tai in the North China Plain, the concentrations of both fine and coarse particles and the ions contained therein were substantially lower. When the air masses from Southeast Asia prevailed, intensive biomass burning there led to elevated concentrations of sulfates, nitrates, ammonium, potassium, and chloride in the fine particles at Mount Heng. The air masses originating from the north Gobi brought heavy dust storms that resulted in the remarkable production of sulfates, ammonium, methane sulfonic acid, and oxalates in the coarse particles. Generally, the sulfates were primarily produced in the form of (NH4)2SO4 in the droplet mode via heterogeneous aqueous reactions. Only approximately one-third of the nitrates were distributed in the fine mode, and high humidity facilitated the secondary formation of fine nitrates. The heterogeneous formation of coarse nitrates and ammonium on dry alkaline dust surfaces was found to be less efficient than that on the coarse particles during non-dust-storm periods.

Estimation of radiative effect of a heavy dust storm over northwest China using Fu–Liou model and ground measurements

A heavy dust storm that occurred in Northwestern China during April 24–30 2010 was studied using observational data along with the Fu–Liou radiative transfer model. The dust storm was originated from Mongolia and affected more than 10 provinces of China. Our results showed that dust aerosols have a significant impact on the radiative energy budget. At Minqin (102.959°E, 38.607°N) and Semi-Arid Climate and Environment Observatory of Lanzhou University (SACOL, 104.13°E, 35.95°N) sites, the net radiative forcing (RF) ranged from 5.93 to 35.7Wm−2 at the top of the atmosphere (TOA), −6.3 to −30.94Wm−2 at surface, and 16.77 to 56.32Wm−2 in the atmosphere. The maximum net radiative heating rate reached 5.89K at 1.5km on 24 April at the Minqin station and 4.46K at 2.2km on 29 April at the SACOL station. Our results also indicated that the radiative effect of dust aerosols is affected by aerosol optical depth (AOD), single-scattering albedo (SSA) and surface albedo. Modifications of the radiative energy budget by dust aerosols may have important implications for atmospheric circulation and regional climate.

Characteristics of dust deposited along a transect between central Iran and the Zagros Mountains

Abstract Few studies have been reported on the characteristics of dust particles deposited in arid regions of the Middle East. The objective of this study was to identify the variations in physical, chemical, and mineralogical composition of dust particles deposited along an elevational transect lying between central Iran and the Zagros Mountains in the west. Dust samples were collected at 12 localities during September 2008 and July 2009 with and without transboundary dust storms, respectively. Samples were examined for their grain size distribution, and their mineralogical and chemical composition. Surface soils were also sampled from the vicinity of the dust sampling sites and their total elemental compositions were determined. The results indicated that dust deposition rate, mean particle diameter, and concentration of soluble ions in samples from both sampling periods decreased with altitude, with a significantly lower gradient for samples of July 2009 than for those of September 2008. The similarity observed in dust samples taken during September 2008 and those reported by previous studies or measured in local soils and sediments suggests that local soils greatly contribute to the atmospheric dust along the transect in periods with no dust storms. During such periods, dust deposits in the high altitude Zagros Mountains, where annual precipitation is higher and temperature lower, only receive a minor contribution from arid soils of central Iran. However, in July 2009, when a heavy dust storm took place, significant differences were observed between local soils and dust samples along the transect, particularly at high altitudes, in terms of their physicochemical and mineralogical characteristics. These findings, together with satellite images and patterns of wind frequency and direction, clearly indicate the major contribution of a transboundary dust storm, probably originating from Iraqi arid land, to atmospheric deposition in the Zagros area and central Iran. When dust storms blow from across the borders, the contribution of local soils and sediments to aerosols drastically decreases with elevation. If dust storms originating from outside the country continue to occur, not only will they influence the surface soil properties in the Zagros region but will also induce environmental problems in the region.

Photometric measurements of spring aerosol optical properties in dust and non-dust periods in China

Aerosol observational data spanning three years (2005–2007) from the Chinese Sun Hazemeter Network (CSHN) were analyzed to characterize the optical properties of spring aerosol particles in dust and non-dust weather conditions. The measurements were segregated and the dates of dust period were chosen by ground-based observations and the National Sand-dust Weather Almanac. Observational data obtained under suitable weather conditions and averaged over 15 sites in the CSHN. The data indicated that the mean spring aerosol optical depth (AOD) increased by 33% in dust weather than in non-dust weather over the three years under study. Further, the angstrom exponent ( α) decreased by 24% in dust weather compared to in non-dust weather. At dust-source sites, AOD increased by 31% and α decrease by 20%. The atmosphere of dust-source sites is relatively clean, and is generally only contaminated with small quantities of dust particles. Atmospheric aerosols of this region were primarily in the form of coarse mode. Aside from being influenced by dust storms, the atmosphere of both near-source and distant sites displayed a large proportion of man-made aerosols, resulting in a large increase in the AOD and α values. Due to the contribution of sand-dust, the AOD of near-source and distant sites increased by 53% and 23%, respectively, while the value of α was reduced by 22% and 25%, respectively. Due to the content differences of man-made aerosols, and the fact that some observational data cannot be obtained under heavy dust storm weather conditions, the mean AOD and α were highest at distant sites (0.69 and 0.91), intermediate at near-source sites (0.51 and 0.86), and lowest at the dust-source sites (0.36 and 0.48). In addition, if we take into account the impact of strong dust storms in which AOD can't be observed by sunphotometer, the AOD probably become greater the farther form the dust-source region in non-dust periods, and while it is opposite in dust periods. Data were also obtained for both urban and ecology background sites. AOD and α values were both significantly higher at urban sites than at neighboring natural ecology background sites during both dust and non-dust periods, but the occurrence of dust process made the multiplier slightly larger.

Dust transport from northeastern China inferred from carbon isotopes of atmospheric dust carbonate

We made carbon and oxygen isotope analyses on the carbonates in atmospheric dust samples (hereafter, atmospheric dust carbonates) over the saline land of Songnen Plain (SSL) and at Changchun, 50 km eastward from the east margin of SSL, as well as in the surface soil samples in SSL. The atmospheric dust carbonates from SSL and Changchun had similar carbon isotopic composition as the soil carbonates from SSL, while showing a distinct difference with the atmospheric dust carbonates in the northwestern Chinese deserts. The atmospheric dust carbonates for two of the three heavy dust storms at Changchun had a similar carbon isotopic composition as those in SSL. The dust emission from SSL makes a significant contribution to the dust storms in the downwind area. Carbon isotopic composition of the atmospheric dust carbonates should be a useful indicator for inferring the dust source. We have also noted a depleting trend of 13C of atmospheric dust carbonates from west to east over northern China. The incorporating process of dust generated in areas under the pathway of the Asian dust transport might be investigated from the carbon isotopic composition in atmospheric dust carbonates.

Dust storm erosion and its impact on soil carbon and nitrogen losses in northern China

There is increased awareness of the environmental impacts of soil carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) losses through wind erosion, especially in areas heavily affected by dust storm erosion. This paper reviews the recent literature concerning dust storm-related soil erosion and its impact on soil C and N losses in northern China. The purpose of our study is to provide an overview of the area of erosion-affected soils and to estimate the magnitude of soil C and N losses from farmland affected by dust storm erosion. According to the second national soil erosion remote-sensing survey in 2000, the area affected by wind erosion was 1.91 million km 2, accounting for 20% of the total land area in China. This area is expanding quickly as the incidence of heavy dust storms has greatly increased over the last five decades, mainly as a result of the intensification of soil cultivation. The economic and ecological damage caused by wind erosion is considerable. Heavily affected areas show a loss of nutrients and organic carbon in soils and the heavily degraded soils are much less productive. Compared with the non-degraded soil, the C and N contents in degraded soils have declined by 66% and 73%, respectively. The estimated annual losses per cm toplayer of soil C and N by dust storm erosion in northern China range from 53 to 1044 kg ha − 1 and 5 to 90 kg ha − 1 , respectively. Field studies suggest that soil losses by wind erosion can be reduced by up to 79% when farmers shift from conventional soil tillage methods to no-till. Thus shifting to no-till or reduced tillage systems is an effective practice for protecting soil and soil nutrients. Our study indicates that soil conservation measures along with improved soil fertility management measures should be promoted in dry-land farming areas of northern China. As erosion is a major mechanism of nutrient withdrawal in these areas, we plead for the development of accurate methods for its assessment and for the incorporation of erosion, as a nutrient output term, in nutrient budget studies.

Physicochemical Characterization and Origin of the 20 March 2002 Heavy Dust Storm in Beijing

This study characterized the profiles of particles collected during a dust-storm (DS) period in Beijing on 19-21 March 2002, which was one of the heaviest episodes in the previous decade. Several determinations of particle measurements were observed, including total mass concentrations, particle size distributions, dry deposition flux, and chemical ions concentrations. The TSP concentrations reached an extremely high peak value of 12 mg/m3 in DS period, and especially showed a characteristic increase in the size range of coarse particles (> 2.0 μm). The mass concentrations of coarse particles during DS period accounted for 91% of total particles, compared to 61% on non-DS days. The dry deposition mass flux of the dust storm reached 17.5 g/m2-d on 20 March in Beijing. Additionally, the transported pathway of the pollutants was investigated by using backward trajectory analysis. The result of analysis indicated that the high level of dust sand originated from the arid regions of southern Mongolia, passing through central Inner Mongolia, Shanxi Province, and then to Beijing. Concentrations of Cl−, NO3−, and SO42− in TSP were about 10 times higher in DS period than non-DS, probably because of some atmospheric processes enhancing chemical accumulation in the transported aerosols.

Environmental predictions for the Beagle 2 lander, based on GCM climate simulations

The Mars climate database (MCD) is a database of statistics based on output from physically consistent numerical model simulations which describe the climate and surface environment of Mars. It is used here to predict the meteorological environment of the Beagle 2 lander site. The database was constructed directly on the basis of output from multiannual integrations of two general circulation models, developed jointly at Laboratoire de Météorologie Dynamique du Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, France, and the University of Oxford, UK. In an atmosphere with dust opacities similar to that observed by Mars Global Surveyor, the predicted surface temperature at the time of landing ( L s=322°, 13:00 local time), is ∼267 K , and varying between ∼186 and 268 K over the Martian day. The predicted air temperature at 1 m above the surface, the height of the fully extended Beagle 2 robot arm, is ∼258 K at the time of landing. The expected mean wind near the surface on landing is ∼5 ms −1 north-westerly in direction, becoming more southerly over the mission. An increase in mean surface pressure is expected during the mission. Heavy global dust storm predictions are discussed; conditions which may only occur in the extreme as the expected time of landing is around the end of the main dust storm period. Past observations show approximately a one in five chance of a large-scale dust storm in a whole Mars year over the landing region, Isidis Planitia. This statistic results from observations of global, encircling, regional and local dust storms but does not include any small-scale dust “events” such as dust devils.

The chemical and strontium isotope composition of atmospheric aerosols over Japan: the contribution of long-range-transported Asian dust (Kosa)

Atmospheric aerosols have been collected at four sites around Japan during 2000. From systematically monitoring the major (Na, Mg, Al, K, Ca, and Fe) and trace (Rb and Sr) elements, along with the Sr isotope composition, we have tried to estimate the contribution of long-range-transported Asian dust (“Kosa”) to the atmospheric aerosols. The results are summarized as follows: (1) The concentration of each element in the aerosols increased during the “Kosa” period. The increase was particularly obvious in samples collected on 8 April 2000, when the “Kosa Phenomenon” was observed at all the sampling sites in Japan, 2 days after a very heavy dust storm had occurred in China. (2) The Rb–Sr isotopic diagram shows a two-component mixing relationship: one with a high 87Sr/ 86Sr ratio and a high 87Rb/ 86Sr ratio, and the other with a low 87Sr/ 86Sr ratio and a low 87Rb/ 86Sr ratio. There is a significant difference between that of the expected end member of the Asian dust and that of the reported Asian loess, which is thought to be the possible source of the components of the “Kosa”, although the lower component is consistent with the local component at Wako. (3) Plots of the 87Sr/ 86Sr ratio vs the Ca/Al and Sr/Al ratios support a two-component mixing suggested by the Rb–Sr systematics, and they indicate that the contributing continental soil components to the “Kosa” aerosols should be composed of the silicate fraction of Asian loess. (4) The discrepancy in the Rb–Sr systematics between the expected end member and the possible sources may be caused by the dissolution of the Ca-bearing minerals via long-range dust transport, or by a combination of source characteristics and grain size separation.

On the relation between size and shape of desert dust aerosol

Mathematical image analysis techniques are implemented in a novel manner to analyze aerosol particles in scanning electron microscope (SEM) data. By evaluating and removing the variable background in a digital SEM image using dynamic thresholding and then calculating the area and perimeter of each particle, one can study the relationship between particle area and particle shape. It is possible to distinguish in this manner between at least two different particle populations, separated by their fractal dimension, in a set of samples collected during 1 day in a heavy dust storm in Israel.

Sahara mineral dust measurements from TOMS: Comparison to surface observations over the Middle East for the extreme dust storm, March 14–17, 1998

A comparison of the TOMS aerosol index (AI) with both measurements of dust concentrations and synoptic data over the Middle East for the extremely heavy dust storm of March 14–17, 1998, is performed. Time series over Algeria, Libya, and Israel yield the following findings: The peak values in both surface concentrations and TOMS data suggest that AI values of 2.5 and 1.2 correspond to surface mean daily concentrations of 1900 and 1000 μg/m3 respectively. Surface concentrations and TOMS maps show that AI values of 3.0 correspond to about 4000 μg/m3. TOMS AI maximum values were found to increase from Algeria to Israel moving along with the center of the dust plume from 0.9 to 2.1 and 2.5 AI values. This seems to be in contradiction with the fact that the plume moves farther away from the major mineral dust sources over the Sahara and may be caused by either an increased vertical extension of the plume, hence increasing the TOMS AI, or due to convergence of the dust plume over the eastern Mediterranean. The size distribution, morphological, and mineralogical composition of the dust analyzed in this study, as well as other aerosol parameters, are essential for improving the remote sensing methods such as the TOMS AI algorithms. Of course, surface measurements alone do not allow the refinement of the TOMS retrievals; vertical profile dust measurements as well as other physical and optical aerosol parameters are necessary.