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E.E.R. 2026, 16(1): 88-113 |
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Khaleghi A, Nikoo S, Khosravi H, Zolfaghari A A. Investigation of environmental factors affecting the optical depth of fine dust in Semnan Province. E.E.R. 2026; 16 (1) :88-113
URL: http://magazine.hormozgan.ac.ir/article-1-914-en.html
URL: http://magazine.hormozgan.ac.ir/article-1-914-en.html
Desertification Department, Desert Studies Faculty, Semnan University, Semnan, Iran , shimanikoo@semnan.ac.ir
Abstract: (205 Views)
1- Introduction
Aerosols, originating from both natural and anthropogenic sources, exert a profound influence on the Earth’s energy balance, climate dynamics, economic development, and public health. In recent decades, shifts in temperature and precipitation regimes, declining vegetation cover, and accelerating urbanization—coupled with rising living standards—have significantly altered aerosol concentrations. These airborne particles not only scatter solar radiation but also modulate cloud microphysics, thereby contributing to climate change at both global and regional scales. Understanding the spatial and temporal variability of aerosols is essential for developing effective environmental and public health policies, especially in vulnerable arid regions.
2- Methodology
Semnan Province, covering approximately 98,000 km² between 51°56′–57°58′ E and 34°13′–37°20′ N, was selected as the study area due to its climatic diversity and susceptibility to dust events. Climatic parameters—including precipitation, temperature, wind speed, and evapotranspiration—were analyzed using data from five synoptic stations spanning 2003 to 2023. Monthly evapotranspiration was estimated via the Torrent-White method, based on mean monthly temperatures. Vegetation dynamics were assessed using the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), derived from MODIS MOD13Q1 imagery at 250-meter resolution via Google Earth Engine. Aerosol concentrations were quantified using the Aerosol Optical Depth (AOD) index from MODIS MYD04 data, focusing on months with elevated dust activity. Soil moisture trends were extracted from the GLEAM global database incorporating ERA5 reanalysis data. Wind patterns were visualized using WRPOLT v8.0.2 software to generate wind rose diagrams. Drought conditions were evaluated using the Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI) across 1–48 month intervals. Pearson’s correlation coefficient was applied to identify key climatic and environmental drivers of AOD variability.
3- Results
Meteorological analysis revealed that Semnan Province experiences extreme temperature fluctuations, with annual maxima reaching 44.62°C and minima dropping to -13.09°C. Average annual precipitation is approximately 119.78 mm, while evapotranspiration exceeds 1095.57 mm. Windrose analysis indicates a dominant wind flow from northeast to southwest, with an average speed of 6.25 knots. Relative humidity averages 41.11%. The mean AOD value of 1.26 suggests persistent dust presence, while the NDVI average of 0.31 reflects sparse vegetation cover. SPI analysis classifies the region under “normal drought” conditions (SPI = 0.59). Soil moisture, averaging 0.17 mm annually, shows a declining trend over the study period. Strong negative correlations were observed between AOD and both NDVI (-0.87) and soil moisture (-0.73), indicating that reduced vegetation and drier soils significantly contribute to increased aerosol concentrations.
4- Discussion and Conclusions
Dust storms pose a recurring challenge in arid and semi-arid regions, with Semnan Province being particularly vulnerable due to its climatic and ecological characteristics. The study highlights a clear upward trend in AOD levels over the past two decades, driven primarily by declining vegetation density and soil moisture. Spatial analysis reveals that southeastern and southwestern zones with minimal vegetation exhibit the highest AOD values. The findings underscore the critical role of NDVI and soil moisture as indicators of dust susceptibility. Wind speed further amplifies dust dispersion, making it a key secondary factor. While this study emphasizes vegetation and hydrological variables, comparative research suggests that other parameters—such as vapor pressure and maximum temperature—may exert stronger influence in different geographic contexts. Overall, the integration of remote sensing data, meteorological records, and statistical analysis provides a robust framework for understanding aerosol dynamics in Semnan Province. These insights can inform targeted mitigation strategies, such as vegetation restoration and land management, to reduce dust-related risks and enhance regional climate resilience.
Aerosols, originating from both natural and anthropogenic sources, exert a profound influence on the Earth’s energy balance, climate dynamics, economic development, and public health. In recent decades, shifts in temperature and precipitation regimes, declining vegetation cover, and accelerating urbanization—coupled with rising living standards—have significantly altered aerosol concentrations. These airborne particles not only scatter solar radiation but also modulate cloud microphysics, thereby contributing to climate change at both global and regional scales. Understanding the spatial and temporal variability of aerosols is essential for developing effective environmental and public health policies, especially in vulnerable arid regions.
2- Methodology
Semnan Province, covering approximately 98,000 km² between 51°56′–57°58′ E and 34°13′–37°20′ N, was selected as the study area due to its climatic diversity and susceptibility to dust events. Climatic parameters—including precipitation, temperature, wind speed, and evapotranspiration—were analyzed using data from five synoptic stations spanning 2003 to 2023. Monthly evapotranspiration was estimated via the Torrent-White method, based on mean monthly temperatures. Vegetation dynamics were assessed using the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), derived from MODIS MOD13Q1 imagery at 250-meter resolution via Google Earth Engine. Aerosol concentrations were quantified using the Aerosol Optical Depth (AOD) index from MODIS MYD04 data, focusing on months with elevated dust activity. Soil moisture trends were extracted from the GLEAM global database incorporating ERA5 reanalysis data. Wind patterns were visualized using WRPOLT v8.0.2 software to generate wind rose diagrams. Drought conditions were evaluated using the Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI) across 1–48 month intervals. Pearson’s correlation coefficient was applied to identify key climatic and environmental drivers of AOD variability.
3- Results
Meteorological analysis revealed that Semnan Province experiences extreme temperature fluctuations, with annual maxima reaching 44.62°C and minima dropping to -13.09°C. Average annual precipitation is approximately 119.78 mm, while evapotranspiration exceeds 1095.57 mm. Windrose analysis indicates a dominant wind flow from northeast to southwest, with an average speed of 6.25 knots. Relative humidity averages 41.11%. The mean AOD value of 1.26 suggests persistent dust presence, while the NDVI average of 0.31 reflects sparse vegetation cover. SPI analysis classifies the region under “normal drought” conditions (SPI = 0.59). Soil moisture, averaging 0.17 mm annually, shows a declining trend over the study period. Strong negative correlations were observed between AOD and both NDVI (-0.87) and soil moisture (-0.73), indicating that reduced vegetation and drier soils significantly contribute to increased aerosol concentrations.
4- Discussion and Conclusions
Dust storms pose a recurring challenge in arid and semi-arid regions, with Semnan Province being particularly vulnerable due to its climatic and ecological characteristics. The study highlights a clear upward trend in AOD levels over the past two decades, driven primarily by declining vegetation density and soil moisture. Spatial analysis reveals that southeastern and southwestern zones with minimal vegetation exhibit the highest AOD values. The findings underscore the critical role of NDVI and soil moisture as indicators of dust susceptibility. Wind speed further amplifies dust dispersion, making it a key secondary factor. While this study emphasizes vegetation and hydrological variables, comparative research suggests that other parameters—such as vapor pressure and maximum temperature—may exert stronger influence in different geographic contexts. Overall, the integration of remote sensing data, meteorological records, and statistical analysis provides a robust framework for understanding aerosol dynamics in Semnan Province. These insights can inform targeted mitigation strategies, such as vegetation restoration and land management, to reduce dust-related risks and enhance regional climate resilience.
Received: 2025/11/7 | Published: 2026/04/16
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