Supplementary material to “Linking the scales of observation, process, and modeling of dust emissions”

K. E. Kohfeld, School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Queens College of the City University of New York, Flushing; R. L. Reynolds, U.S. Geological Survey, Denver, Colorado; J. D. Pelletier, University of Arizona, Tucson; B. Nickling, University of Guelph, Ontario, Canada

Citation:
Kohfeld, K. E., R. L. Reynolds, J. D. Pelletier, and B. Nickling (2005), Linking the scales of observation, process, and modeling of dust emissions, Eos Trans. AGU, 86(11), 113. [Full Article (pdf)]

Dust Emissions figure 1

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Fig. 1. Examples of developments in dust research.

  1. At regional and global scales, there has been systematic recognition of paleolake basins as major dust sources. Shown here are historical satellite image data for aerosol optical depth (TOMS AOD) which have a remarkably strong correlation with paleolake depressions [Prospero et al., 2002]. Some of these areas, especially in the “dust belt” of North Africa, comprise the most significant source regions in the world.
  2. D. Westphal has achieved great success in predicting dust concentrations in real time. These products are used by to the U.S. military for operations planning and safety.
  3. Obtaining accurate measurements of controlling surface properties, including texture and surface roughness, at high spatial resolution over wide areas remains a major challenge. However, Okin and Painter [2004] provided promising new results indicating that surface texture can be mapped using MASTER imagery, which is produced using the combined sensors of MODIS (Moderate resolution imaging spectroradiometer) and ASTER (Advanced spaceborne thermal emission and reflection radiometer). This result is important because texture is the primary controlling factor for threshold velocity.
  4. Monitoring of saltation and its controlling meteorological, hydrological, biological, and geologic factors in dust emission settings of the southwestern United States has highlighted the dynamic changes that occur and the role of vegetation and water table variations in dust production (near Soda Lake, Mojave Desert, California) [Chavez et al., 2002].
Dust Emissions figure 2

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Fig. 2. The Mojave Desert as a study region. Bridging the scales of the dust cycle can be facilitated with focused studies in an area where the surface characteristics are well known. The Mojave Desert region, for example, has a unique wealth of readily available data for surficial geology (i.e., reflecting soil and pavement development), vegetation, historical dust activity, and remote sensing. The workshop participants recommended a community wide effort, informal at first, to focus on the dust cycle in this region.

References