Causes and Effects of Sand and Dust Storms: What Has Past Research Taught Us? A Survey

Christian Opp, Michael Groll, Hamidreza Abbasi and Mansour Ahmadi Foroushani
Additional contact information
Christian Opp: Faculty of Geography, Philipps-Universität Marburg, D-35032 Marburg, Germany
Michael Groll: Department of Foreign Affairs, Philipps-Universität Marburg, D-35032 Marburg, Germany
Hamidreza Abbasi: Research Institute Forests and Rangelands, Agricultural Research Education and Extension (AREEO) Iran, Tehran 13165-118, Iran
Mansour Ahmadi Foroushani: Faculty of Geography, Philipps-Universität Marburg, D-35032 Marburg, Germany

JRFM, 2021, vol. 14, issue 7, 1-25

Abstract: Barren ground and sites with low coverage by vegetation (e.g., dunes, soil surfaces, dry lakes, and riverbeds) are the main source areas of sand and dust storms (SDS). The understanding of causes, processes (abrasion, deflation, transport, deposition), and influencing factors of sandy and dusty particles moving by wind both in the boundary layer and in the atmosphere are basic prerequisites to distinguish between SDS. Dust transport in the atmosphere modulates radiation, ocean surface temperature, climate, as well as snow and ice cover. The effects of airborne particles on land are varied and can cause advantages and disadvantages, both in source areas and in sink or deposition areas, with disturbances of natural environments and anthropogenic infrastructure. Particulate matter in general and SDS specifically can cause severe health problems in human respiratory and other organs, especially in children. Economic impacts can be equally devastating, but the costs related to SDS are not thoroughly studied. The available data show huge economic damages caused by SDS and by the mitigation of their effects. Management of SDS-related hazards utilizes remote sensing techniques, on-site observations, and protective measures. Integrated strategies are necessary during both the planning and monitoring of these measures. Such integrated strategies can be successful when they are developed and implemented in close cooperation with the local and regional population and stakeholders.

Keywords: dust; desert; drylands; atmosphere; wind erosion; health risks; economic damages (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: C E F2 F3 G (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations:

Downloads: (external link)
https://www.mdpi.com/1911-8074/14/7/326/pdf (application/pdf)
https://www.mdpi.com/1911-8074/14/7/326/ (text/html)

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jjrfmx:v:14:y:2021:i:7:p:326-:d:594540

Access Statistics for this article

JRFM is currently edited by Ms. Chelthy Cheng

More articles in JRFM from MDPI
Bibliographic data for series maintained by MDPI Indexing Manager ().