Simulation of Atmospheric Conditions and Trajectories for DustStorms in the Middle East

Dust storms which disperse a high amount of fine particulate matters have increased exponentially in west of Iran. These fineparticulate matters cause a lot of problems on such as adverse effect on human health as well as environment. The main aim ofthis study is investigating the critical dust atmospheric conditions at a dust storm which was occurred in July 2009 inMesopotamia region. Furthermore, in order to control the dust storms, hotspots were estimated by using Weather Research andForecasting. In addition, dust storm trajectories were studied by Hybrid Single Particle Lagrangian Integrated Trajectory Model.It was found that the critical condition occurred when the critical frictional wind speed varied from 0.7 – 0.8 m/s. Besides, theorigins of the Middle Eastern dust storms which frequently impact the residents of this arid region were studied. The sourceregion limited to 33°N to 36°N and 44°E to 47°E coordinates. At six different altitudes the trajectories were studied, which hadtwo main motion patterns.

Keywords:

Dust storm , HYSPLIT , Iran , Mesopotamia , Trajectory , WRF