Efficient dust detection based on spectral and thermal observations of MODIS imagery

Abstract

The dust storm is one of the severe natural disasters that has been recently threatening the Middle East region due to climate changes and human activities. This phenomenon has become a national crisis in some countries in this region over the previous years, especially in spring and summer. This research aims to detect and monitor the areas covered by the seasonal and occasional dust storm from MODIS (Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer) satellite imagery. MODIS imagery possesses impressive spectral and temporal characteristics that are essential for such an environmental application of Earth observations. An efficient algorithm, based on the spectral and statistical analysis of both thermal and reflectance bands of MODIS data, was developed through a decision tree method. To this end, an index was proposed to detect the dusts over the land using the brightness temperature of thermal bands. The results of the proposed algorithm were assessed utilizing ground-based observation of synoptic stations. The proposed method showed high reliability and performance, as well as the automatic capability of dust detection in land and sea areas of the image simultaneously. The evaluation of results showed that the proposed algorithm could detect thin and thick dust storms with an overall accuracy of about 80%. Moreover, the dust monitoring results visually agreed well with the Ozone Monitoring Instrument Aerosol Index (OMI-AI) dust products.

Modis Satellite Data Evaluation for Detecting the Dust Storm Using Remote Sensing Techniques Over Iraq

“…The study area is symbolized by Iraq, Iraq is situated in the semi-tropical latitude in the North half of earth between latitudes (29.5 o -37.5 o N) to the north of the equator, and between longitudes (38.45 o -48.45 o E) east of Greenwich line as shown in figure (1). this site set the proximity or the remoteness of Iraq from Seas and oceans which have strong influence on climate and thermic characterizes of Iraq, in which the Mediterranean Sea and the Persian Gulf are the most influential on Iraq [34].…”

“…Hourly data for Dust storms detection have been obtained from Iraqi Meteorological Organization and Seismology (IMOS) of the year (2022). The data were gathered for 13 ground observation stations situated in various areas of Iraq, as shown in table ( 1) figure (1). The object of these data to determine the most occurrences days during this year in order to downloaded the Modis data and made a comparison to ensure the validity of the NDDI index over Iraq during period of the study.…”

“…Dust storms are one of the most hazardous environmental phenomena that frequently take place in arid and semiarid regions [1,2]. It is utilized to describe aerosols, for any land-based remote sensing implementation which is utilized to separate atmospheric impacts, or straightly, for estimate atmospheric defilement, mainly fine particulate material, where effects upon the climate, ecosystems, and human populations [3,4].…”