Geoscience Reference
In-Depth Information
erosion can have a dramatic effect on the air quality in regions downstream
of the dust sources, reduce the quality of the topsoil, play an important role
in the global dust cycle and disrupt social and economic activities. In this
study we focus on long-range dust transport, over the period from 1995
to 2005, using dust reports at Australian Bureau of Meteorology synop-
tic reporting stations (see Fig. 1) over central eastern Australia. The main
meteorological characteristics of long-range dust transport, particularly, in
data sparse areas of Australia are best investigated using an integrated wind
erosion assessment and prediction scheme. Limitations of the synoptic net-
work include the small number, clustering of stations, infrequent sampling,
and the fact that estimates of visibility are subjective.
The three-dimensional (3D) weather variables of wind speed and direc-
tion, temperature, and moisture are observed routinely once per day, but
Fig. 1. Map of central eastern Australia showing synoptic reporting stations (thinned
around the coastline), upper air stations and place names mentioned in the text.
