Premium
Do MODIS‐defined dust sources have a geomorphological signature?
Author(s) -
Baddock Matthew C.,
Ginoux Paul,
Bullard Joanna E.,
Gill Thomas E.
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
geophysical research letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.007
H-Index - 273
eISSN - 1944-8007
pISSN - 0094-8276
DOI - 10.1002/2015gl067327
Subject(s) - environmental science , moderate resolution imaging spectroradiometer , emissivity , mineral dust , spectroradiometer , atmospheric sciences , satellite , remote sensing , geology , meteorology , aerosol , geography , reflectivity , physics , astronomy , optics
The preferential dust source (PDS) scheme enables large‐scale mapping of geomorphology in terms of importance for dust emissions but has not been independently tested other than at local scales. We examine the PDS qualitative conceptual model of surface emissivity alongside a quantitative measurement of dust loading from Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) Deep Blue Collection 6 for the Chihuahuan Desert. The predicted ranked importance of each geomorphic type for dust emissions is compared with the actual ranked importance as determined from the satellite‐derived dust loading. For this region, the predicted variability and magnitude of dust emissions from most surface types present coincides with the observed characteristics demonstrating the significance of geomorphological controls on emission. The exception is for areas of low magnitude but persistent emissions such as alluvial surfaces where PDS overpredicts dustiness. As PDS is a good predictor of emissions and incorporates surface dynamics it could improve models of future dust emissions.