Temporal and Spatial Variations of Dust Days in Western Azarbaijan Province, Determination of The Influencing Factors and Source of Events

In addition to the increase in prone areas to wind erosion processes in western Azarbaijan province due to the drying of Lake Urmia, there is a growing concern regarding the intensification of dust storms. Considering the impacts of this phenomenon on the environment, public health, agriculture, and transportation sections, more detailed studies on its source, severity, and frequency is necessary. Therefore, this study was designed to assess the temporal and spatial changes of dust storm events using satellite data, to detect the dust source, and to analyze the factors affecting the occurrence of dust storms in western Azarbaijan province. Analysis of the number of dusty days using the MODIS-AOD product indicated that the years 2003, and 2008 to 2012 were the dust storm peaks during the period 2000-2020 at western Azarbaijan province. Most dust storm events have occurred in summer and spring seasons, and monthly changes indicate the maximum dust storm between March and October. Trend analysis indicated that there was no significant trend in AOD and dust storm events. Among vegetation and climate variables, there is a significant relationship between AOD and wind speed (i.e., the correlation is about 64%). Spatially, dust storms occur more frequently along the shores of Urmia Lake (mostly in the east and south and slightly in the west).  Southern areas of the province reported a higher frequency of dust event than the central and northern parts of the province.  Due to the direction of the prevailing wind, it seems to be most affected by dust storms coming from the neighboring country of Iraq, however, the areas around the Lake Urmia are the inner source of dust storms.