Spatiotemporal analysis of sand and dust emission point sources detected from satellite imagery in Syria, Jordan, and Iraq.

This study utilized MODIS true color satellite imagery to analyse blowing sand and dust events dynamics in the Middle East from 2010 to 2021, focusing on Syria, Iraq, and Jordan. A total of 4923 dust point sources were detected, with a significant concentration (~90 %) located within the Tigris-Euphrates Basin (Nearest Neighbor Ratio = 0.41, р < 0.001). Land cover analysis revealed that bare land, comprising most of the study area, was the predominant source of dust emissions. Wetlands, though only constituting about 1 % of the area, showed the highest frequency of dust sources per unit area, highlighting their role as critical dust emission hotspots. The study emphasizes the impact of drought and anthropogenic factors, such as poor land management, on blowing dust intensity. It suggests the necessity of strategic land management practices, including re-vegetation of arid areas, reducing soil exposure, and implementing wind erosion control measures. To effectively address the transboundary nature of dust emissions, the findings underscore the importance of fostering regional cooperation through mechanisms such as shared environmental monitoring and data exchange platforms, joint management of cross-border natural resources, and collaborative policy making.