Evaluating the Capability of Various Types of Geomorphological facies in supplying dust sources in the west of Khozestan province- Iran

A dust storm is a common environmental hazard in the Iran, especially in Khuzestan province. It is important to note that the temporal and spatial variations of dust cause the dust to diffuse from different facies. Accordingly, various methods have been developed to identify dust sources, most notably the use of field and laboratory work. Therefore, in this study, we study the internal dust sources and different facies capabilities for producing dust from western Khuzestan.

In this study, first, a spatial map of the facies was prepared in which the Landsat 8 and Sentinel 1 satellite images were used on 21/4/2018. Then, three metal rods were planted in all faces using fieldwork. Then the height difference of the rods was measured in three consecutive time periods after the dust storms in winter and spring 2018. Also, surface samples (0-3 cm) were collected at the rod location. The samples were transferred to Ferdowsi University laboratory and grain size analysis was performed. Finally, a hydrometric test was carried out to determine soil mineral and soil texture.

The results showed that the sediments are predominantly fine-grained, with the highest accumulation of sediment under the sieve of the shaker. Also, Hydrometric results indicated that the Jofer area has silty clay loamy soil and in the dry bed samples of the Hoor_Al_Azim Wetland and north Susangerd, the results are similar to the Jofer area. Assessment of the rods illustrated that bed sediments were transported at the time of dust formation. The maximum displacement was measured at the location bed S4, S5, and S6 with a difference of more than 5 cm.

In this study, the internal dust sources were studded and different facies capabilities for producing dust from western Khuzestan were measured. Results indicate the sediments due to environmental conditions are not coherent and have no solidarity. In addition, internal border sources of dust have been found to play a major role in the spread of dust in western Khuzestan.