Application of combined WRF-Chem and HYSPLIT models for dust storm detection in Central Iran (case study of Isfahan province, May 21-23, 2016)

Abstract

Dust is one of the most important problems of human societies in arid and semi-arid areas. This study analyzed the rising and propagation of the dust storm from May 21 to 23, 2016 in Isfahan province (central Iran) by using the WRF-Chem and HYSPLYT models. The dust storm was visualized using MODIS sensor data of Terra and Aqua satellites, and the dust emission and transport was simulated for central Iran by using WRF-Chem with the AFWA and GOCART schemes,. The results showed that the amount of dust concentration on Sistan and Baluchistan province and the Persian Gulf was as high as 2000 mg/m³ and both schemes estimate the highest amount of dust emissions from the central parts of Iran and the eastern part of Isfahan province. PM10 data of Yazd station was used to verify the model outputs, which showed that the AFWA dust scheme has a higher correlation coefficient with observations (0.62) than GOCART dust scheme. This case study suggests that the WRF-Chem dust schemes reasonably simulate dust rising and propagation in central Iran but that improvements are still needed for accurate prediction of dust concentrations and extents.