Characterization of dust sources in Central Asia using Remote Sensing

Abstract:

Central Asian deserts are a significant source of wind-blown desert dust deposited on snow pack and glaciers of the Tian Shan Mountains, affecting both surface reflectance, and therefore melt and runoff, and geochemistry of snow pack and glacier ice. Detailed knowledge of sources of dust, atmospheric pathways, timing and geography of deposition is of crucial importance. This paper focuses on two aspects of desert dust over Central Asia: (i) seasonal and spatial patterns of aerosol optical depth (AOD) of desert dust and (ii) location and seasonal trends in activity of dust sources. Seasonal and spatial distribution of AOD is investigated using Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) Deep Blue AOD product, acquired over a period of 12 years from January 2003 to December 2014 at 10 km resolution. More detailed maps of dust sources are produced from higher resolution (1km) MODIS dust enhancement products (DEP) which have been modified by the use of additional bands and change in parameterization. The combined use of AOD and DEP enabled us to identify large scale dust emitting areas (through the use of AOD data) and within these areas, identify smaller-scale eroding points (using DEP) thus significantly improving the knowledge of both dust source location and dust entrainment mechanisms including rapid desertification (e.g. Aral Sea) and post-fire wind erosion (e.g. Lake Balkhash basin). Different seasonal patterns of dust emissions were observed in northern, western and southern deserts around the Tian Shan Mountains and their relation to climatological processes in these regions are explored.