Geomorphic and land cover assessment of dust sources affecting the west and North-West Iran

Abstract

Relationship between vegetation ...; [Zaitchik BF, et al.; 2007] Climate and vegetation in the ...; Aims & Backgrounds One of the most important environmental challenges facing the west of iran in recent years is the dust phenomenon, that today has become one of the most important problems in arid and semi-arid areas. In this research, dust sources identified by Jalali and Davoudi were used to study the effect of surface features on the creation of effective dust sources in the west of the country. The study area is about 1,200,000 square kilometers located in the east of middle east covering Iraq and parts of Iran, Turkey, Syria, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and Kuwait. The aim of this research is to evaluate geomorphic characteristics and surface sediments, land cover, and wind erosion potential of dust sources in the study area. Methodology For this purpose, according to the Bullard classification, firstly, the layers of geomorphic classes, soil, and land cover were prepared and classified and according to the relative importance of the classes in the release of dust, they were classified into 3 groups, including low, medium and high. Subsequently, using 40 data stations, wind erosion potential (EW) was calculated and zoned by Kriging method. Findings Sand dunes in the geomorphic classes with a dust emission ratio of 3/35 unit had the greatest effect on the creation of dust sources. There was not much compatibility between different classes of land cover and type of soil with dust sources, but there was compatibility between the wind erosion potential and dust sources and the most dust sources were created in areas with high wind erosion potential. Conclusion Geomorphic characteristics have the most important role among the controllers of dust emissions.