Journal of Meteorology and Atmospheric Science

Investigate the relationship between horizontal visibility, frequency of dust storm events, ‎and PM10 concentration in Ilam during 2010 to 2020‎

https://doi.org/10.22034/jmas.2024.441724.1224
Volume 6, Issue 2 - Serial Number 20
January 2024
Pages 145-165
Journal of Meteorology and Atmospheric Science

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Khadijeh Poresh 1
Farideh Atabi 2
Elham mobarak Hassan 3

1 گروه‎ ‎محیط‌زیست، واحد‎ ‎علوم و تحقیقات، دانشگاه‎ ‎آزاد‎ ‎اسلامی، تهران، ایران

2 Department of Environmental Engineering, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, ‎Iran

3 3Department of Environment, Ahvaz Branch, Islamic Azad University, Ahvaz, Iran

Abstract
To investigate dust storms in Ilam, which is exposed to cross-border and internal dust due to its ‎proximity to Iraq and Khuzestan province, synoptic and PM10 concentrations data were collected ‎from 2010 to 2020. The number of dust days was extracted during this period. Additionally, MODIS ‎satellite imagery, HYSPLIT model output, and ERA5 data were utilized for further analysis.‎
The results indicate that the minimum horizontal visibility in Ilam was 400 m, while the maximum ‎PM10 concentration reached 2945 μg/m^3, during the cold season. In 2018, Ilam experienced the ‎highest number of dust events, accompanied by significant reductions in horizontal visibility. Dust ‎events were most frequent in May, and the most severe occurrences were observed in February.‎
The correlation coefficient between horizontal visibility and PM10 concentration during dust events ‎from 2010 to 2020 was -0.43, suggesting a nonlinear relationship and influenced by other factors. ‎Notably, in years with higher dust frequency (such as 2016 and 2018), the strongest correlation ‎between PM10 concentration and horizontal visibility was observed. Conversely, in years with fewer ‎dust events, this relationship was less significant.‎
During the cold season, especially in 2017, westerly and northwesterly winds transported dust from ‎the deserts of Iraq, while southerly and southeast winds carried internal dust from Khuzestan to ‎Ilam.‎

Keywords

Dust event
Ilam
Visibility
PM10
HYSPLIT model‎
Subjects

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