Some Characteristics of Sand and Dust Storm Sources in Iraq

Recent Weather Observation in South - West Asia Region had shown an increase in both frequency and intensity of Dust phenomena. The increasing trend of Dust phenomena was used to view the future outlook for dust phenomena. Locating Dust Storm Sources (DSS) in the region. Using the backward - projection and Remot-Sensing method DSS were used. Also, mineralogical study of dust particles was done to give an idea about their sources. It is seen that silt is the major constituent of the collected samples with percentage of 42.6% followed immediately by clay 40.8%, and sand is the minor constituent 5.8%. Chemical analysis of dust specimens showed that oxides of Silicon, Aluminum, Calcium, Ferrous and Magnesium are the major constituents of accumulated dust with minor constituent of Potassium, Sodium and Titanium oxides and some Sulphates. Shapes of dust were mainly irregular plates, while sand are spherical and sometimes oval.