Publications

Hassan, EM; Fattahi, E; Habibi, M (2023). Application of a regional climate model on autumn dust events over the Urmia Basin. ATMOSPHERIC POLLUTION RESEARCH, 14(11), 101904.

Abstract
Dust events have occurred over the Urmia Lake Basin in northwestern Iran for many years. In this study, we identified the mechanism and source of dust events in the region and assessed the ability of the Regional Climate Model (RegCM) to simulate these events. The observation data includes horizontal visibility and present weather phenomena achieved in Tabriz, Urmia, and Saqez stations. The ERA5, MERRA-2, and CAMS data were prepared for this research. The long-term dusty day analysis was conducted from 2000 to 2019. The synoptic-dynamic analysis and RegCM simulations were done during dust events on 28-31 October 2017-the HYSPLIT model and MODIS image usage to consider more detail. The results show that the Urmia Basin experiences two peaks, dusty days in the May and autumn months, including September and October. The persistent and widespread dust event in Urmia resulted from the approaching trough at 500 hPa to the north of Saudi Arabia and Iraq, trigged low pressure and increasing wind speed over the area. Based on the synoptic-dynamic analysis, MODIS satellite images, and the outputs of HYSPLIT, Iraq deserts were the primary source of dust on 28-31 October 2017. The dust distribution in the RegCM model, MERRA-2 data, and MODIS image agree. The RegCM aerosol optical depth (AOD) output time series agreed with MERRA-2 data, with a correlation coefficient of 0.84 and an index of agreement (IOA) of 0.56 in Urmia stations. The local dust source detected by the surface emission flux in the eastern Lake Urmia close to Tabriz can be a reason for the dustiest day in Tabriz. The AOD diurnal variation obtained from RegCM, MERRA-2, and CAM are similar in Tabriz and Urmia. The AOD of RegCM is underestimated compared to MERRA-2 and CAM in three selected stations.

DOI:
10.1016/j.apr.2023.101904

ISSN: