Development of a dynamic dust source map for NMME-DREAM v1.0 model based on MODIS Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) over the Arabian Peninsula

Abstract

Abstract. We developed a time-dependent dust source map for the NMME Dust Regional Atmospheric Model (DREAM v1.0) based on the satellite MODIS Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI). Areas with NDVI <0.1 are classified as active dust sources. The updated modeling system is tested for dust emission capabilities over SW Asia using a mesoscale model grid increment of 0.1∘×0.1∘ for a period of 1 year (2016). Our results indicate significant deviations in simulated aerosol optical depths (AODs) compared to the static dust source approach and general increase in dust loads over the selected domain. Comparison with MODIS AOD indicates a more realistic spatial distribution of dust in the dynamic source simulations compared to the static dust sources approach. The modeled AOD bias is improved from −0.140 to 0.083 for the case of dust events (i.e., for AOD >0.25) and from −0.933 to −0.424 for dust episodes with AOD >1. This new development can be easily applied to other time periods, models, and different areas worldwide for a local fine tuning of the parameterization and assessment of its performance.