This document summarizes a study analyzing a severe dust storm in the Arabian Peninsula using an air quality model (WRF-Chem), satellite imagery, and ground observations. The study area experiences strong seasonal winds that carry dust from sources in Iraq and Saudi Arabia. The WRF-Chem model was used to simulate meteorology and dust transport during a 2015 dust event, and validated using satellite data, ground measurements, and AERONET data. Model results matched observations and showed dust concentrations and air quality indexes reaching hazardous levels during the event, with PM10 being the main pollutant degrading air quality.

1. 1
A thorough analysis of a severe dust storm in the
Arabian Peninsula using WRF-Chem, satellite
imagery, and ground observations. Impact on air
quality in the United Arab Emirates
Federico Karagulian, Marouane Temimi, Aisha Al Abdooli, Fatima Al Hammadi

2. 2
Study area
 Shamal winds blow in the Arabian Gulf during the summer (June to August) and in winter
(November to March)
 Winter Shamal is know as one of the strongest wind in the Arabian Gulf Region with wind speed
reaching up 20 ms-1.
 Dust storm hitting the regions of the Arabian Gulf originate from dust sources coming from the Tigris
and Euphrates River Valleys, Iraq, East Syria and Kuwait and the Rub Al Khali deserts in Saudi
Arabia.

3. 3
Air Quality Model in the UAE
(the concept)
Air quality Model to forecast
pollution over the UAE
Activity sectors
 Transport
 Energy
 Agriculture
 Industry
 Residential
 Biomass burning
 Aviation
 Shipping
Global emissions
from sectors
(EDGAR-HTAP 2010)
Meteorological
data (Global
Forecast
System - GFS)
+
Erodibility Map
(to include DUST)
PM10

4. 4
Air Quality Model in the UAE
(main structure)

5. 5
SEVIRI satellite data processing
[1] Martínez, M. A.; Ruiz, J.; Cuevas, E. Use of SEVIRI images and derived
products in a WMO Sand and dust Storm Warning System. IOP Conf. Ser.
Earth Environ. Sci. 2009, 7, 012004, doi:10.1088/1755-1307/7/1/012004
[2] Ashpole Ian; Washington Richard An automated dust detection using
SEVIRI: A multiyear climatology of summertime dustiness in the central and
western Sahara. J. Geophys. Res. Atmospheres 2012, 117,
doi:10.1029/2011JD016845.
[3] Banks, J. R.; Brindley, H. E. Evaluation of MSG-SEVIRI mineral dust
retrieval products over North Africa and the Middle East. Remote Sens.
Environ. 2013, 128, 58–73, doi:10.1016/j.rse.2012.07.017
[4] MétéoFrance Algorithm theoretical basis document for cloud products
(CMa-PGE01 v3.2, CT-PGE02 v2.2 & CTTH-PGE03 v2.2). Technical Report
SAF/NWC/CDOP/MFL/ SCI/ATBD/01. Paris: MétéoFrance, 2011.
References
Used two methodologies to process
SEVIRI satellite data:
1) EUMETSAT algorithm
2) MeteoFrance algorithm

6. 6
Satellite observations
Dust event over
the Arabian Peninsula
Elaboration of a dust mask
over the Arabian Peninsula
https://earth.masdar.ac.ae/air_quality/seviri.php

7. 7
WRFChem simulations during
the DUST event (29 March  3 April 2015)
https://earth.masdar.ac.ae/air_quality/forecast_wrf.php

8. 8
DUST event from
MODIS/MAIAC satellite data
AQUATERRA

9. 9
Comparison between
Satellite data and Model
Satelliteobservations
WRFChemsimulations
Dust event on
April 2015
Aerosols Optical Depth
WRFChemMODIS
Aerosols Optical Depth

10. 10
Radiation
Wind Speed/Direction
(at the meteorological stations)
Meteorological data
During the DUST event
(29 March  03 April 2015)
Temperature

11. 11
Validation with AERONET data
Good matching between WRFChem, MODIS and AERONET when compared with AOD

12. 12
Comparisons of WRFChem model outputs
and ground-observations
Dust (PM10)
concentration from
measurements and
from the WRFChem
model
Temperature from
measurements and
from the WRFChem
model

13. 13
Comparisons between WRFChem
outputs and ground-observations
Wind speed from
measurements and
from the WRFChem
model
Relative Humidity from
measurements and
from the WRFChem
model

14. 14
Meteorology and dust transport
Back trajectories models to track origin
of dust events and pollution
Observations from monitoring
stations in the UAE
Peak time for
dust event
Dust event on
April 2015

15. 15
Air Quality impact
during the DUST event
on April 2015
 AQIs were calculated using the current AQ
regulations in the UAE
 AQIs showed highest values on 2 April 2015,
reaching hazardous values
 PM10 was the main pollutant responsible for
AQIs
Air Quality Indexes (AQIs)

16. 16
Contacts:
Dr. Federico Karagulian: federico.karagulian@ku.ac.ae
Dr. Marouane Temimi: marouane.temimi@ku.ac.ae
Thank you!