Hotspot dust sources of Tigris and Euphrates basin identified using visual interpretation of satellite imagery

Identifying dust sources using remotely sensed satellite imagery is one of the most effective ways of studying dust emission and dynamics. Even though complex algorithms and sophisticated models that take advantage of different data sources have been developed, human knowledge and experiences are key factors in accurate dust source identification. This project employed visual interpretation of satellite imagery (VISI) approach to identify hotspot dust sources (HDSs). Accordingly, using visual interpretation of 27,239 MODIS images, a number of 10,422 HDSs were identified in the Tigris and Euphrates basin (TEB) from 2000 to 2021. The identified HDSs have spatial and temporal attributes. This data is freely available to researchers, decision-makers, and managers for use in studies related to dust storms, water, soil and plant resources as well as environmental crises in the TEB.利用遥感卫星影像识别沙尘源，是研究沙尘排放与沙尘运移动态的最有效手段之一。尽管目前已开发出依托多源数据的复杂算法与先进模型，但人类的专业知识与实践经验仍是精准识别沙尘源的核心要素。本研究采用卫星影像目视解译（Visual Interpretation of Satellite Imagery, VISI）方法识别热点沙尘源（Hotspot Dust Sources, HDSs）。据此，通过对27239幅中分辨率成像光谱仪（Moderate-resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer, MODIS）影像进行目视解译，本研究于2000年至2021年间在底格里斯河-幼发拉底河流域（Tigris and Euphrates Basin, TEB）内共识别出10422个热点沙尘源。所识别出的热点沙尘源具备空间与时间双重属性。该数据集面向研究人员、决策者与管理人员免费开放，可用于底格里斯河-幼发拉底河流域内与沙尘暴、水土与植物资源以及环境危机相关的各类研究工作。