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Advances in Measurements and Modeling of the Earth’s Mineral Dust Source Regions

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A special issue of Remote Sensing (ISSN 2072-4292). This special issue belongs to the section "Biogeosciences Remote Sensing".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 January 2022) | Viewed by 21817

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Special Issue Editors

Dr. Hesham M. El-Askary

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Guest Editor

Center of Excellence in Earth Systems Modeling and Observations, Chapman University, Orange, CA 92866, USA
Interests: applications of remote sensing in atmosphere; marine environment; vegetation and arid lands

Dr. Slobodan Nickovic

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Guest Editor

1. Republic Hydrometeorological Service of Serbia, Department of National Centre for Climate Change, Kneza Viseslava 66, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
2. Institute of Physics Belgrade, University of Belgrade, Pregrevica 118, 11080 Belgrade, Serbia
Interests: atmospheric modeling; mineral dust transport modeling; modeling of airborne dust interaction with the environment
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Dr. Michael J. Garay

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Guest Editor

Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), Caltech, 4800 Oak Grove Dr, Pasadena, CA 91109, USA
Interests: satellite remote sensing of clouds and aerosols; radiative transfer including polarization; machine learning techniques for satellite image feature classification; computer vision approaches for image feature tracking; multi-dimensional data visualization and analysis for ground-based and satellite systems; the sensitivity of satellite retrievals to polarimetric information

Dr. Olga Kalashnikova

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Guest Editor

Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, CA 91011, USA
Interests: modeling of aerosol optics; light scattering by irregular particles; remote sensing of aerosol optical properties
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Mineral dust emitted into the atmosphere by Aeolian processes is a major component of atmospheric aerosols. The net contribution of mineral dust to atmospheric warming or cooling depends on the mineralogy of dust particles, and initialization of Earth System Models (ESM) with the surface composition of dust source regions is required to forecast the state of the Earth’s dust cycle and impacts of dust on the Earth system, e.g. dust interaction with clouds and radiation, and dust effects on climate and air quality during the long range transport. ESM derive the mineralogy of airborne dust from the composition and spatial distribution of the soils exposed in dust source regions, and, consequently, ESM-based forecasts are sensitive to the soil maps used to initialize the models.

NASA recently announced a new Earth observing mission The Earth surface Mineral dust source InvesTigation (EMIT) to conduct comprehensive spectroscopic surveys of the surface mineralogy of arid dust source regions on the ~100m-scale resolution. EMIT proposed to provide a comprehensive inventory of key surface minerals available for dust emission and demonstrate the improvements in forecasting skill of ESM initialized with high-resolution mineralogical datasets.

This special issue aims in bring together expertise in the observation and modeling of the mineral dust cycle with a focus on observational and modeling studies of mineral dust source regions. Papers are invited of field and modeling studies of mineral dust source regions, models for the generation, emission, and radiative properties of mineral dust, and analyses of airborne and space-borne measurements of dust minerology and optics.

Prof. Dr. Hesham El-Askary
Dr. Slobodan Nickovic
Dr. Michael J. Garay
Dr. Olga Kalashnikova
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Remote Sensing is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

Dust Sources
Mapping
Satellite Observations
High resolution modeling
Long range transport
Physical, mineralogical and Optical properties
Scattering Albedo
Forcing

Published Papers (7 papers)

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24 pages, 10647 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Analyses of a Lake Dust Source in the Middle East through Models Performance

by Nasim Hossein Hamzeh, Abbas Ranjbar Saadat Abadi, Maggie Chel Gee Ooi, Maral Habibi and Wolfgang Schöner

Remote Sens. 2022, 14(9), 2145; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/rs14092145 - 29 Apr 2022

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2079

Abstract

Drying lakes have become a new source of dust, causing severe problems in surrounding areas. From 2000 to 2017, a statistical study was conducted on Lake Urmia in Iran in the Middle East. The results indicated a significant increase in the annual number of dusty days in stations around the lake and the mean annual aerosol optical depth (AOD) at 550 nm. The sharp decrease in annual snowfall rate over the Lake Urmia area since 2007 has been linked to the lake’s decreasing water level and drying. During a dust storm event from 27 October to 31 October 2017, a local dust storm originated from Lake Urmia before another large-scale dust storm originated from the An-Nafud desert. According to MODIS true-color images, dust particles were lifted from Lake Urmia and transported eastward to the Caspian Sea and the HYSPLIT model. The comparison of the four models under the Sand and Dust Storm Warning Advisory and Assessment System (SDS-WAS) revealed that the models overestimated surface dust concentrations compared to ground-based PM₁₀ measurements. Nevertheless, the NOAA/WRF-Chem and DREAMABOL models simulated higher dust concentrations during the dust period. More emphasis should be placed on the development of dust models for SDS-WAS models in Lake Urmia. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Measurements and Modeling of the Earth’s Mineral Dust Source Regions)

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14 pages, 3323 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Assessment of Recent Changes in Dust over South Asia Using RegCM4 Regional Climate Model

by Acharya Asutosh, S.K Pandey, V Vinoj, Ramakrishna Ramisetty and Nishant Mittal

Remote Sens. 2021, 13(21), 4309; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/rs13214309 - 26 Oct 2021

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 3033

Abstract

Pre-monsoon dust aerosols over Indian regions are closely linked to the monsoon dynamics and Indian summer monsoon rainfall. Past observational studies have shown a decline in dust loading over the Indian landmass potentially caused by changing rainfall patterns over the desert regions. Such changes are expected to have a far-reaching impact on regional energy balance and monsoon rainfall. Using a regional climate-chemistry model, RegCM4.5, with an updated land module, we have simulated the long-term (2001–2015) changes in dust over the arid and semi-arid dust source regions of the North-Western part of the subcontinent. It is found that the area-averaged dust aerosol optical depth (AOD) over the arid and semi-arid desert regions has declined by 17% since the start of this millennium. The rainfall over these regions exhibits a positive trend of 0.1 mm day⁻¹year⁻¹ and a net increase of >50%. The wet deposition is found to be dominant and ~five-fold larger in magnitude over dry deposition and exhibits total changes of ~79 and 48% in the trends in atmospheric dust. As a response, a significant difference in the surface (11%), top of the atmosphere radiative forcing (7%), and widespread atmospheric cooling are observed in the short wave domain of radiation spectrum over the Northern part of the Indian landmass. Such quantification and long-term change studies are necessary for understanding regional climate change and the water cycle. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Measurements and Modeling of the Earth’s Mineral Dust Source Regions)

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19 pages, 6590 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Validation of Ash/Dust Detections from SEVIRI Data Using ACTRIS/EARLINET Ground-Based LIDAR Measurements

by Alfredo Falconieri, Nikolaos Papagiannopoulos, Francesco Marchese, Carolina Filizzola, Serena Trippetta, Nicola Pergola, Gelsomina Pappalardo, Valerio Tramutoli and Lucia Mona

Remote Sens. 2020, 12(7), 1172; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/rs12071172 - 06 Apr 2020

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2709

Abstract

Two tailored configurations of the Robust Satellite Technique (RST) multi-temporal approach, for airborne volcanic ash and desert dust detection, have been tested in the framework of the European Natural Airborne Disaster Information and Coordination System for Aviation (EUNADICS-AV) project. The two algorithms, running on Spinning Enhanced Visible Infra-Red Imager (SEVIRI) data, were previously assessed over wide areas by comparison with independent satellite-based aerosol products. In this study, we present results of a first validation analysis of the above mentioned satellite-based ash/dust products using independent, ground-based observations coming from the European Aerosol Research Lidar Network (EARLINET). The aim is to assess the capabilities of RST-based ash/dust products in providing useful information even at local scale and to verify their applicability as a “trigger” to timely activate EARLINET measurements during airborne hazards. The intense Saharan dust event of May 18–23 2008—which affected both the Mediterranean Basin and Continental Europe—and the strong explosive eruptions of Eyjafjallajökull (Iceland) volcano of April–May 2010, were analyzed as test cases. Our results show that both RST-based algorithms were capable of providing reliable information about the investigated phenomena at specific sites of interest, successfully detecting airborne ash/dust in different geographic regions using both nighttime and daytime SEVIRI data. However, the validation analysis also demonstrates that ash/dust layers remain undetected by satellite in the presence of overlying meteorological clouds and when they are tenuous (i.e., with an integrated backscatter coefficient less than ~0.001 sr⁻¹ and with aerosol backscatter coefficient less than ~1 × 10⁻⁶ m⁻¹sr⁻¹). This preliminary analysis confirms that the continuity of satellite-based observations can be used to timely “trigger” ground-based LIDAR measurements in case of airborne hazard events. Finally, this work confirms that advanced satellite-based detection schemes may provide a relevant contribution to the monitoring of ash/dust phenomena and that the synergistic use of (satellite-based) large scale, continuous and timely records with (ground-based) accurate and quantitative measurements may represent an added value, especially in operational scenarios. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Measurements and Modeling of the Earth’s Mineral Dust Source Regions)

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22 pages, 42119 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Orange Snow—A Saharan Dust Intrusion over Romania During Winter Conditions

by Luminiţa Mărmureanu, Cristina Antonia Marin, Simona Andrei, Bogdan Antonescu, Dragoş Ene, Mihai Boldeanu, Jeni Vasilescu, Cătălin Viţelaru, Oana Cadar and Erika Levei

Remote Sens. 2019, 11(21), 2466; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/rs11212466 - 23 Oct 2019

Cited by 21 | Viewed by 4865

Abstract

On the morning of 23 March 2018, an unusual phenomenon was observed over Romania where the southeastern part of the country was covered in a fresh-layer of orange snow. The event was extensively reported in mass-media and social-media and raised questions about the origin and the possible impact of the orange snow. Even if this type of events, intrusions of Saharan dust, have been reported before in Romania, and in Europe in general, their occurrence during negative temperature conditions is very rare. Saharan dust intrusion occurs over Europe mainly during spring and, in general, is not accompanied by snow at low altitudes. In this article, for the first time, the synoptic-scale conditions leading to the Saharan dust intrusion over Romania and the chemical and physical properties of the deposited dust particles in a snow layer were analyzed. The Saharan dust event affected a permanent atmospheric measurement research infrastructure located southwest of Bucharest, the capital city of Romania. In-situ and remote sensing measurements conducted at this research infrastructure allowed the identification of the dust source as the north Sahara. The source was confirmed by the elemental ratios of the main components (e.g., Al, Ca, Mg, Fe, K). For example, the (Ca+Mg)/Fe ratio of 1.39 was characteristic for the north Sahara. The dust morphology and the minerals were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy with energy disperse X-ray spectrometry (SEM/EDX). The size distribution of the particle geometric diameter showed that they are centred on 1

μ

m, but larger particles up to 40

μ

m are also present. To visualize the minerals, an approach was developed which emphasized the presence of the calcite, quartz or clay minerals. The optical parameters of dust were measured by re-suspending the particles. Values of the optical parameters (i.e., asymmetry parameter at 550 nm was 0.604, single scattering albedo was 0.84–0.89) were similar to those measured for Saharan dust intrusions over the Iberian Peninsula. Also, the non-refractory particles found in the dust-contaminated snow layer were analyzed, indicating the presence of HULIS-like compounds, most probably advected from the Mediterranean sea. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Measurements and Modeling of the Earth’s Mineral Dust Source Regions)

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11 pages, 2700 KiB

Open AccessTechnical Note

Improvements of ADAM3 by Incorporating New Dust Emission Reduction Formulations Based on Real-Time MODIS NDVI

by Jeong Hoon Cho, Sang-Boom Ryoo and Jinwon Kim

Remote Sens. 2021, 13(16), 3139; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/rs13163139 - 08 Aug 2021

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1567

Abstract

Dust events in Northeast Asia have several adverse effects on human health, agricultural land, infrastructure, and transport. Wind speed is the most important factor in determining the total dust emission at the land surface; however, various land-surface conditions must be considered as well. Recently, the Korea Meteorological Administration updated the dust emission reduction factor (RF) in the Asian Dust Aerosol Model 3 (ADAM3) using data from the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) of the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS). We evaluated the improvements of ADAM3 according to soil types. We incorporated new RF formulations in the evaluation based on real-time MODIS NDVI data obtained over the Asian dust source regions in northern China during spring 2017. This incorporation improved the simulation performance of ADAM3 for the PM₁₀ mass concentration in Inner Mongolia and Manchuria for all soil types, except Gobi. The ADAM3 skill scores for sand, loess, and mixed types in a 24 h forecast increased by 6.6%, 20.4%, and 13.3%, respectively, compared with those in forecasts employing the monthly RF based on the NDVI data. As surface conditions in the dust source regions continually change, incorporating real-time vegetation data is critical to improving performance of dust forecast models such as ADAM3. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Measurements and Modeling of the Earth’s Mineral Dust Source Regions)

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12 pages, 3318 KiB

Open AccessLetter

Areal Extent of Dust Emission Events and Source Geomorphology in Northern Africa from MSG-SEVIRI Data

by Ofer Lavi Bekin, Onn Crouvi and Dan G. Blumberg

Remote Sens. 2020, 12(17), 2775; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/rs12172775 - 26 Aug 2020

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2431

Abstract

In this study we (1) mapped the areal extent of current dust sources over Northern Africa between 8°W–31°E and 22°N - Mediterranean coast; and (2) identified and characterized the geomorphic units and soil types that emit dust from these areas. We used the full resolution (3 km) data from the MSG-SEVIRI to map dust sources over a 2-year period between 2005–2006, and examined these regions with remotely sensed images and geomorphic and soil maps. A total of >2600 individual dust emission events were mapped; with frequency up to 34 events in the 2-year study period. The areal extent of dust emission sources exhibited a lognormal distribution with most sources ranging from 20 to 130 km². Most dust events were singular and related to a variety of specific geomorphic units. Dust events that created hotspots were mostly located over playas and fluvial landforms, and to a lesser extent over sand dunes and anthropogenic affected regions. About 20% of dust hotspots were offset a few kilometers from clear geomorphic units. Quantitative analysis of emissions revealed that dust sourced from various geomorphic units, among them playas (12%) and fluvial systems (10%). The importance of sand dunes as dust-emission sources greatly differs between examined datasets (7% vs. 30%). Our study emphasizes the importance of scattered dust emission events that are not considered as hotspots, as these sources are usually neglected in dust emission modeling. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Measurements and Modeling of the Earth’s Mineral Dust Source Regions)

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14 pages, 5126 KiB

Open AccessTechnical Note

Geophysical Prospecting Using ERT and IP Techniques to Locate Galena Veins

by Julián Martínez, Javier Rey, Senén Sandoval, Mª Camen Hidalgo and Rosendo Mendoza

Remote Sens. 2019, 11(24), 2923; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/rs11242923 - 06 Dec 2019

Cited by 19 | Viewed by 4063

Abstract

The aim of this study is to prove the effectiveness of two electrical geophysical prospecting techniques, namely electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) and induced polarization (IP), in locating thin vein structures of metal sulphides embedded in Palaeozoic materials underlying a sedimentary cover. For this purpose, a Quaternary basin known as La Garza was selected, located in the mining district of Linares-La Carolina (Southern Spain). Galena (PbS) veins appear abundantly throughout this area, hosted in the Palaeozoic granitic bedrock. The studied veins show thicknesses from 0.5 to 2.0 m, and most present a vertical planar distribution. The veins lose their continuity below the sedimentary cover due to normal fractures that control the subsidence of the basin. During the 1980s, geophysical research campaigns were carried out in La Garza using vertical electrical sounding and failed in detecting the hidden veins. For this reason, to carry out this study, a closed regular mesh was designed, composed by eight ERT and IP profiles, with variable lengths between 315 and 411 metres. An electrode spacing between 5 and 7 metres was selected, thus allowing the granite bedrock to be reached without significantly reducing the resolution capabilities of the method. Even though ERT and IP are well-known geophysical techniques for mapping ore deposits, this is a case study that shows the advantages of the simultaneous use of both techniques (ERT and IP), over their individual application. ERT allows for reconstructing the morphology of the basin and the fractures that control it due to high-resistivity contrast between the overlying sedimentary cover and the underlaying granitic basement. However, it cannot provide any insights about their degree of mineralization. At this point, it is the IP technique that makes it possible to differentiate which are the mineralized structures. Some of these fractures produce high (above 50 mV/V) and moderate (below 50 mV/V) chargeability values, suggesting the existence of several unexploited metal veins. Furthermore, the derived models enable researchers to analyse the morphology of this sedimentary basin controlled by normal faults. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Measurements and Modeling of the Earth’s Mineral Dust Source Regions)

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