The 20–22 February 2016 Mineral Dust Event in Tehran, Iran: Numerical Modeling, Remote Sensing, and In Situ Measurements

Abstract

Wind erosion raises mineral dusts from dry and semidry lands and produces dust storms. Such dust masses have created numerous health and economic problems for the residents of southern, southwestern, and central parts of Iran. The main sources, movement, spread, and settlement of dust masses can be determined by solving the governing equations for aerosol transmission. Such information will be certainly useful in managerial decision‐making. In this study, the dust event in Tehran on 20–22 February 2016 was studied using numerical model, Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer satellite data, and data of ground‐based stations. A comparison between the numerical results and in situ measurements as well as satellite data confirmed that present modeling can predict dust mass formation and its development toward Tehran. However, the values of dust concentration and aerosol optical depth were underpredicted with regard to in situ measurements and satellite data, respectively. The results indicated that a low‐pressure system was formed in the central Iran on 19–20 February, which led to atmosphere instability, an increase in wind speed, and an increase in the planetary boundary layer height up to a height of 5 km. On the other hand, this low‐pressure system led to the transportation of dust mass created in the eastern Syria and central Iraq from the southwestern borders and cities like Ahwaz to the central parts of Iran such as Tehran. The study of the radiative forcing indicated that due to the absorption and scattering of radiation flux by aerosols, the atmosphere became stable and the height of the boundary layer decreased.

Performance of aerosol optical depth forecasts over the Middle East: Multi-model analysis and validation

“…to observations (Basha et al, 2015;Beegum et al, 2018;Calastrini et al, 2012;Hamidi et al, 2017;Haustein et al, 2012;Huneeus et al, 2016;Karagulian et al, 2019;R. Kumar et al, 2014;Liu et al, 2003;Najafpour et al, 2018;Pérez et al, 2006;Xu, 2018;Zhang et al, 2015). In contrast, the literature is relatively limited with respect to the experimental or operational forecasting of AOD or PM 10 over dustimpacted regions (Basart et al, 2012;Eissa et al, 2018;Li et al, 2011;Lu et al, 2016;Mangold et al, 2011;Menut et al, 2015).…”

Toxic heavy metals in rainwater samples of Tehran

“…Beyond the urban pollution, Tehran usually suffers from dust pollution caused by transported dust storms (Najafpour et al, 2018;Vukovic Vimic et al, 2021) and by urban (street) dust resuspension (Zarandi et al, 2019). Recent studies in the city refer that about 4000 premature deaths occur annually due to exposure to air pollution (Ali-Taleshi et al, 2021.…”

Modeling Asian Dust Storms Using WRF‐Chem During the DRAGON‐Asia Field Campaign in April 2012

“…Wind‐blown mineral dust aerosols substantially contribute to the global budget of aerosol mass and therefore can play an important role in affecting weather, climate, and air quality (Balkanski et al., 2007; Ginoux et al., 2001, 2004; Lambert et al., 2013; Mahowald, 2011; Mahowald et al., 2014; Middleton, 2017; Najafpour et al., 2018; Park et al., 2005; Shao et al., 2011; Zhang, Kok, et al., 2013). The size of dust particles substantially varies from ∼0.1 to 10 μm (or greater) on average.…”