ANALYSIS OF DUST EVENT IN TURKMENISTAN AND ITS SOURCE REGIONS

Dust transports cause significant increases in atmospheric concentration and surface PM10 particulate matter. In recent years, Asian countries have experienced dust transport frequently. Dust transport has a significant negative impact on human health, the economy and the environment. This study includes the analysis of source regions and dust transport dated in 27-29 May 2018 over Turkmenistan. In the study, a general dust situation of Turkmenistan region has been studied by using MODIS AOD data. Then, the meteorological conditions and the pathway of this dust transport event on were examined. The preliminary analysis using synoptic analyzes and satellite data showed that the dust transport is coming through Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan. The transport took place on the south direction and affected most of Turkmenistan on 27 May 2018. Observed AOD data in the region increased significantly and took its maximum on 27 May 2018. The effect of this movement in Turkmenistan lasted until 30 May 2018. The global CAMS dust model has generally estimated dust transport event even some overestimations. MSG/RGB satellite products were examined detailly in order to analyze the source regions of this dust transport. The analyzes showed the main source region of this dust transport as Aral lake.