The Dust Cycle in the Arabian Peninsula and Its Role in the Urban Air Quality

Abstract

The dust cycle plays an important role in the atmospheric processes. The levels of dust concentration in the Arabian cities are quite high, a fact that affects air quality. A better understanding of this phenomenon may lead in reduced impacts. Towards this direction, an integrated modeling approach has been selected and applied in SW Saudi Arabia. More specifically, we discuss the characteristics of the dust production processes using the RAMS/ICLAMS multiscale model. A series of very high resolution simulations have been performed and potential mitigation actions are discussed. A reduction in dust concentration is evident by changing the landscape characteristics. Extreme dust events affect the study areas despite the tested activities and changes. A characteristic example is the “haboobs”.

Questions and Answers

Questioner: Pavel Kischa

Question: Long-Range dust transport from the eastern Sahara brings dust, which is mainly distant from the surface. So, could we ignore its effect on human “health” in Saudi Arabia?

Answer: First of all, transport of dust from East Sahara to the Arabian Peninsula does not occur very often especially during summer where ITCZ is shifted to the North and Easterlies dominate. East African dust produced near the west coast of Red Sea is quite possible to be transported towards the area of study. These areas are included within the model domain.