Following the agricultural fields most exposed to dust and sand storms in the lower Euphrates valley

Abstract

When agricultural fields are exposed to dust storms frequently, this phenomenon helps to collect grains of sand and dust over their vegetative mass, which affects the growth and productivity of plants in general.

As the accumulation of the previous granules hinders the process of photosynthesis and works to block the pores of the respiratory leaves. Therefore, plant protection experts recommend minimizing the impact of the encroachment of sand and dust storms on agricultural fields as much as possible.

This research aims to track the agricultural fields in the Euphrates Valley that are most exposed to dust storms coming from Badia and draw the attention of those concerned to address this dangerous phenomenon and its impact on production and human health at the same time.

A LANDSAT TM satellite image with a spatial resolution of 30 meters was used on April 23, 2020.

 The method of visual interpretation of the false color image, as well as the image of the colors formed by the method of statistical basic factor analysis method, in addition to the unsupervised hierarchical classification, were applied to study the digital behavior to determine the hot spots responsible for the formation of dust storms.

The method of structural analysis of the classified image was followed by using the OASIS program to choose the appropriate window area to obtain the structural classification rows representing the objective of the study. Finally, a Geographic Information System was used to obtain the final purpose map.

The results of the research proved that all the sites of agricultural fields and residential areas located between the city of Al-Mayadin and Al-Bukamal at a distance of 100 km are the most exposed to dust and sand storms caused by the second focus, and from antique metal to Al-Tabani city with a distance of 35 km caused by the first focus within the path of dust and sand storms. It also proved its effectiveness in identifying the main areas that represent the hot spots responsible for the formation of dust and sand storms, which are difficult to identify by other traditional methods.