Identification of potential dust sources using remote sensing data (Case Study: Alborz Province)

Dust is one of the important processes of arid and semiarid regions that its occurrence has increased in recent years in Iran. Identifying the dust and sand sources, it is the first step in the management and control of this phenomenon. Because of the arid and semiarid climates where dust phenomenon takes place, always there are large areas to monitor and control that practically makes it impossible to manage them. Therefore, reduce the candidate regions to actual sources is one of the main concerns of the researchers. In this paper, identification of potential dust sources using remotely sensed data has been studied. Various spectral indices of moisture and vegetation were applied on the OLI sensor data and finally, wetness spectral index of Tasseled Cap Transformation and DVI vegetation index were selected based on their variation in the study area and was applied on satellite images from 2013 to 2015 and credibility potential maps of moisture and vegetation was produced. Roughness index was applied on the ASTER digital elevation model and credibility potential map of roughness was produced. Erosion sensitivity map of rocks was produced using geological maps. Potential dust sources map was prepared with a combination of credibility potential maps in multi- criteria evaluation model and validate using field based and these areas were visited based on stratified random sampling scheme. Results showed that as well can be identified potential dust sources using satellite images and determining to apply various indices.