Detection of dust storm paths using numerical models and satellite images (Case Study: Isfahan Province)

Dust pollution is one of the most important environmental challenges in recent years in the Middle East and Iran. It is important to monitor and control the quality of dust particles in a wider range using the methods that are more cost effective and less costly. The present study aims to use numerical detection and analysis to determine the resources of dusts and the route over Iran and Isfahan province in May 2013. In this research, HYSPLIT, NAAPS, COAMPS models and MODIS images were used. The detection of dust was determined based on the characteristics of the brightness temperature in the infrared thermal range of the Modis sensor and the temperature thresholds for distinguishing this event from desert lands and clouds. The HYSPLIT model was used to track the movement path of dust particles. Based on the results obtained from image processing and model output, North of Saudi Arabia and Southwest – Northeast direction are respectively the origin and main route of dust entry to Isfahan. The results of HYSPLIT model were compared with the results of the COAMPS and NAAPS models for the optical dust depth and surface dust concentration and the mass flow rate. The detection of the MODIS satellite images also acknowledges the creation of dust and moving it towards the center of Iran and the province of Isfahan.