Local and Regional Airborne Dust in the Canyonlands Region:
Integrated Analysis of Digital Imagery, Total Suspended
Particulate, and Meteorological Data Frank E. Urban (1), Richard L.
Reynolds (1), Jason C. Neff (2), Daniel P. Fernandez (2), Marith C.
Reheis (1), Harland L. Goldstein (1), Edmund E. Grote (3), Chris
Landry (4) (1)U.S. Geological Survey, Geology and Environmental
Change Science Center, Denver, Colorado (2) Department of
Geological Sciences, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO (3) U.S.
Geological Survey, Southwest Biological Center, Moab, UT (4) Center
for Snow and Avalanche Studies, Silverton, CO CLIM-MET site
instrumentation: 1. Marble Dust Trap 2. Airfoil Dust Collector 3.
Pyranometer 4. Radio Data Telemetry 5. Wind Speed and Direction 6.
Air Temperature and Relative Humidity 7. Temperature Gradient 8.
Power Module 9. Datalogger 10. Precipitation Gauge 11. BSNE Dust
Collector 12. SENSIT Erosion Monitor 13. Soil Moisture Probe (10cm)
Environmental data presented here is typically collected at 1
second intervals which are averaged, or totaled to produce an
hourly dataset. A full description of instrumentation and
procedure, and all archived data is available at
http://esp.cr.usgs.gov/info/sw/clim-met/index.html Location Map
Abstract: Improved measurement and observation of dust emission and
deposition in the American west would advance understanding of (1)
landscape conditions that promote or suppress dust emission, (2)
dynamics of dryland and montane ecosystems, (3) premature melting
of snow cover that provides critical water supplies, and (4)
possible effects of dust on human health. Such understanding can be
applied to issues of land management, water-resource management, as
well as the safety and well-being of urban and rural inhabitants.
The University of Colorado, National Park Service, and USGS have
expanded the scope of regional particulate measurement through the
establishment of total-suspended-particulate (TSP) measurement
stations located in Utah and Colorado with bi-weekly data (filter)
collection. A sub-network of high-resolution digital cameras has
been co-located with several of the TSP stations, as well as at
other strategic locations. These real-time regional dust-event
detection cameras are internet-based and collect digital imagery
every 6-15 minutes. Measurements of meteorological conditions to
support these collections and observations are provided partly by
USGS CLIM-MET stations, four of which were deployed in 1998 in the
Canyonlands region. These stations provide continuous, near
real-time records of the complex interaction of wind,
precipitation, vegetation, as well as dust emission and deposition,
in different land-use settings. The complementary datasets of dust
measurement and observation enable tracking of individual regional
dust events. As an example, the first dust-on-snow (DOS) event of
water year 2012 (Nov 5, 2011), documented by the Center for Snow
and Avalanche Studies at Senator Beck Basin, near Silverton,
Colorado, was also recorded by the camera at Island-in-the-Sky, as
well as in aeolian activity and wind data from the Dugout Ranch
CLIM-MET station. Similar conditions and results were recorded in
the most recent DOS event March 6, 2012. At these sites, strong
winds and the presence of dense dust preceded increases in relative
humidity and associated precipitation. Time series from the ISKY
TSP sampler and averaged peak wind speeds from the Dugout Ranch
CLIM-MET station for 2011-2012. Zero lag linear correlation between
the series is 0.73. Clearly the two are related despite being
separated by 25 miles and extremely varied topography. Seasonal
wind rose plots (1998-2012) for Dugout Ranch are presented as well.
The strongest winds in Spring and Summer at Dugout Ranch are
typically from the south. The highest dust load for one storm from
the CODOS database in 2011 was from an event March 21, 2011. This
event likely was a primary driver of the very high values of TSP
load evident in the 3/14-3-29 2011 sampling period. March 6, 2012
Event Daily average peak windspeed from Dugout Ranch with CODOS
dust on snow events at Senator Beck Basin in Colorado indicated by
the arrows. The majority of the Dust On Snow events correspond to
periods of high wind speeds at Dugout Ranch but there are several
instances when speeds were low. Additionally, the highest speeds at
Dugout precede the listed date for the DOS events due to the
geographic offset. There are many strong storms that do not produce
DOS and a comprehensive storm by storm analysis and comparison
between Canyonlands instrumentation and stations local to Senator
Beck Basin is needed to fully understand the linkages and differing
storm types and paths. The most recent DOS event is highlighted.
Near real-time and archived data from CLIM-MET stations can be
accessed at these websites. ISKY Clear Day Image Abajo Peak Clear
Day Image ISKY March 6, 2012 Dust Image Abajo Peak March 6, 2012
Dust Image The March 6, 2012 Dust event captured by two of the USGS
Regional Research Web Cameras. ISKY co-located with the ISKY TSP
particulate sampler and Abajo Peak outside of Monticello Utah. Dust
is clearly visible independent of cloud cover and can be
distinguished by its color. The dust arrived with the storm front
and strong winds from the south. Canyonlands cameras were first
deployed in March 2011. Since deployment, dust is clearly evident
in 9 of the 13 CODOS dust on snow events recorded in snowpack in
Senator Beck Basin, Colorado. Meteorological conditions at the
Dugout Ranch CLIM-MET station during the March 6, 2012 dust event.
Part of why this event is so clearly recognizable in the camera
imagery is that local relative humidity and cloud cover was low
during the initial arrival of the dust and winds. WRF (Weather
Research Forecasting, http://wrf-model.org/index.php) forecast
model results show how lower atmosphere winds were channeled over
the Canyonlands area into Western Colorado delivering dust from
presumed source areas in northern Arizona. The wind barbs are from
the 500hPa level, in this case, around 5500m above mean sea level.
Author contact information Frank Urban, U.S. Geological Survey,
MS980 Box 25046, DFC. Denver, CO 80225. [email protected] Mojave
Desert Colorado Plateau CLIM-MET Stations TSP Particulate Sampler
Dust Detection Camera Co-located TSP/Camera