نوع مقاله : پژوهشی
نویسندگان
1 دانشجوی کارشناسی ارشد،دانشکده منابع طبیعی،دانشگاه ارومیه،ارومیه،ایران
2 دانشیار، گروه مرتع و آبخیزداری، منابع طبیعی، دانشگاه ارومیه، ارومیه، ایران
چکیده
کلیدواژهها
موضوعات
عنوان مقاله [English]
نویسندگان [English]
Introduction and Goal
Dust storms have widespread impacts on human health, agriculture, and ecosystems. In recent years, the occurrence of this phenomenon has significantly increased in the areas surrounding Lake Urmia, especially in its northern part. One of the main reasons for this trend is the drying of a large portion of the lakebed, which has resulted from a sharp decline in water resources and climate change. The dried lakebed has become one of the most important sources of dust particle generation and dispersion in the region, easily lifted by the wind. Located in an area with extensive agricultural and industrial activities, this lake has always played a key role in environmental sustainability and regional food security.
The main objective of this study is to analyze the temporal and spatial trends of dust storm frequency along the northern margin of Lake Urmia from 2001 to 2024, using remote sensing data and a modified Multi-Angle Implementation of Atmospheric Correction (MAIAC) algorithm.
Materials and Methods
In this study, MODIS satellite data with moderate spatial resolution were collected for the northern margin of Lake Urmia over the period from 2001 to 2024. Using the modified Multi-Angle Implementation of Atmospheric Correction (MAIAC) algorithm—which has a high capability for accurately detecting airborne particulate matter—dust storm days were identified. The extracted data were then analyzed using ArcMap software (version 10.8) and classified into four frequency categories based on the number of dusty days: Category 1 with low frequency (0 to 50 days), Category 2 with moderate frequency (50 to 100 days), Category 3 with high frequency (100 to 150 days), and Category 4 with very high frequency (more than 150 days). Spatial and temporal distribution maps were generated for each category. In addition, to identify and categorize the years that exhibit similar patterns in the frequency of dusty days, the K-means clustering method was applied using SPSS software (version 26). This analysis facilitated the grouping of years based on similarities in dust event frequency. Long-term trends and spatial changes were examined in detail.
Results and Discussion
The results showed that the spatial distribution and intensity of dust storm events from 2001 to 2024 underwent significant changes. In the early years, the frequency of dust occurrence was low, but from 2012 onwards, a notable increase was observed in the area affected by moderate and high frequency categories. Although some years, such as 2019 and 2020, experienced a relative decrease in dust frequency, the overall trend in recent years has been upward.
Cluster analysis using SPSS revealed that the years in Cluster Group 2 (2014–2015 and 2015–2016) exhibited the highest frequency of dusty days. Conversely, the years in Cluster Group 4 (2001–2002 to 2007–2008, 2019–2020, and 2020–2021) were characterized by low dust frequency.
Conclusion and Suggestions
The results of this study indicate that the intensity and spatial distribution of dust storms in the region have experienced significant temporal and spatial fluctuations during the examined period, with an increasing trend in recent years. The drying of Lake Urmia’s bed due to climate change has contributed to the heightened intensity and frequency of dusty days. Cluster analysis also revealed that certain years—particularly those in Cluster 2—consistently experienced high dust frequencies, while years in Cluster 4 exhibited relatively more stable conditions.
Given the recent rise in the intensity and frequency of dust storms, continuous monitoring combined with spatial and data-driven analyses can improve the accuracy of predicting this phenomenon. It is also recommended that comprehensive water resources management plans, along with targeted measures to prevent further drying of the lakebed, be implemented as part of integrated and sustainable strategies to mitigate dust-related hazards and improve environmental resilience in the region.
کلیدواژهها [English]
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