Investigation of Dust Concentration and Analysis of Its Effective Environmental Factors Applied on Yazd Province, Iran

Abstract

The dust phenomenon is considered one of the most important environmental hazards in arid and semi-arid regions. Yazd province (located in central Iran, between 31° to 34° N latitude and 53° to 57° E longitude), due to its geographical location, arid climate, presence of active sand dunes (ergs), and proximity to internal and transboundary dust sources, is highly exposed to this phenomenon. The present study aims to investigate the dust concentration status in Yazd province and analyze the environmental factors affecting it. For this purpose, Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) satellite images, Climate Hazards Group InfraRed Precipitation with Station data (CHIRPS) precipitation data, the SRTM digital elevation model, and the Google Earth Engine system were used. The dust concentration map was prepared using the Aerosol Optical Depth (AOD) index for the period from 2020 to 2024. Subsequently, the Pearson pixel-based correlation analysis between the dust concentration layer and the parameters of elevation, temperature, precipitation, vegetation cover (NDVI), and the location of sand dunes was calculated. The results showed that the highest dust concentrations are intensified in the northern and central regions of the province. Sand dunes with an average concentration coefficient of 0.63 and elevation with a correlation coefficient of -0.53 had a significant (p < 0.01) impact on dust concentration, respectively. Furthermore, the direct relationship with temperature (0.43) and the inverse relationship with precipitation (-0.38) (based on n = 75,000 pixels) and vegetation cover (-0.19) confirmed the impact of arid climatic conditions. In addition to internal factors, the influx of dust from neighboring provinces and countries northeast of Iran also may play a role in exacerbating this phenomenon. Dust concentration in Yazd province is a multi-causal phenomenon, and its management requires a comprehensive approach including stabilization of sand dunes, development of vegetation cover, establishment of a monitoring system, and regional coordination.