Dust storms in the Middle East

Mapping of the frequency and distribution of dust storms (visibility < 1 km) and blowing dust (visibility < 11 km) in the Middle East, show that the area of greatest dust-raising activity is the Lower Mesopotamian Plains. The seasonality of dust storms can be related to the generating meteorol...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of arid environments 1986-03, Vol.10 (2), p.83-96
Main Author: Middleton, N.J.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
air pollution
arid zones
dust storms
environmental assessment
geographical distribution
mapping
natural frequency
seasonal variation
semiarid zones
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Summary:Mapping of the frequency and distribution of dust storms (visibility < 1 km) and blowing dust (visibility < 11 km) in the Middle East, show that the area of greatest dust-raising activity is the Lower Mesopotamian Plains. The seasonality of dust storms can be related to the generating meteorological processes. The main season of occurrence for most of the area is spring or summer. The dust haze experienced off the south-eastern Arabian coast from June to August is related to a large scale dust flow that is thought to originate over the Horn of Africa and is part of the south-west monsoon circulation. Diurnal variation of dust haze shows highest frequencies of airborne dust to occur during daylight hours, with some areas experiencing an afternoon maximum. Data from two stations on the Arabian Gulf suggest that dust storm frequencies are declining in this area.
ISSN:0140-1963
1095-922X
DOI:10.1016/S0140-1963(18)31249-7