Analysis of Dust Event in Turkmenistan and Its Source Regions

Abstract

Dust transports cause significant increases in atmospheric concentration and surface PM10 particulate matter. In recent years, Asian countries have experienced dust transport frequently. Dust transport has a significant negative impact on human health, economy and environment. This study includes the analysis of a specific dust transport event occured on 27-29 May 2018 over Turkmenistan and its source regions and. Firstly, a general dust situation of Turkmenistan region has been studied by using MODIS AOD satellite data in the study. After, the meteorological conditions and the pathway of this dust transport event was examined. The preliminary analysis using synoptic analyzes and satellite data showed that the dust was transported from Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan. The transport was occured with northly winds and affected almost all regions of Turkmenistan on 27 May 2018. Observed AOD data in the region increased significantly during the event and took its maximum on 27 May 2018. The effect of this transport lasted until 30 May 2018 in Turkmenistan. The global CAMS dust model has estimated dust transport event even some overestimations. Finally, MSG/RGB satellite products were examined detailly in order to analyze the source regions of this dust transport. The analyzes indicated the main source region of this dust transport as Aral Sea.