Dust Storm Analysis and Detection in Hormozgan Province

Geographical location and proximity to countries such as Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Afghanistan as well as desert conditions and poor vegetation cover, weather instability and high winds have caused dust storms in different parts of Hormozgan province. This phenomenon is nowadays recognized as one of the environmental challenges in southern Iran. In order to study the dust phenomena in Hormozgan province, were first analyzed the dust data of twelve synoptic stations in the region between 2000 and 2018 Ackerman’s model, Normalized Difference Dust Index (NDDI), Thermal-infrared Dust Index (TDI) and Thermal Infrared Integrated Dust Index (TIIDI) were four Algorithm methods for dust source and plume identification using MODIS data MODIS Level 1B and MODIS Level 2 aerosol data to delineate and compares. Results showed that Qeshm station with 2762 days had the most and Minab station with 356 days had the least frequency of dust occurrence in the province. Also, 2007, 2008 and 2003 have the highest occurrence among the studied years. According to the survey data from 35716 days associated with dust phenomenon, 84% of dust events in the stations were locally originated (code 07) and 16% were of external source (06). The results also showed that the most occurrence of dust occurred in May, April and July, and the least occurrence of dust occurred in November, December and October. The results are shows all of the techniques except NDDI were successful in detecting dust plumes, but the most effective algorithm for plumes identification varied from event to event. In addition, TDI is the best algorithm comparing 3 evidence and eastern regions of Hormozgan, Jazmoorian area, Sistan and Baluchestan, and the western part of Afghanistan and Pakistan and south of Saudi Arabia are most important for dust source in Hormozgan Province.