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Visibility-Dust Concentration model


SNAP-SHOT:

The Visibility-Dust Concentration Model (V-DC model) was created as the first step towards a new measure of wind erosion, to replace the Dust Storm Index (DSI).

The V-DC model:

n       converts Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) visibility observations into dust concentrations

n       has been tested against field-measured dust concentrations

Report citation:
McTainsh, G. H., Leys, J. F., Tews, E. K. and Strong, C. L. (2008) Dust Storm Index to Dust Concentration: developing a new measure of wind erosion for national and state scale monitoring. Final Report and User Guide to DAFF, June 2008, Canberra, Australia, 27pp.

A new way to measure wind erosion

As wind erosion occurs intermittently and at different points in the landscape it is necessary to monitor over long periods and throughout Australia. The Dust Storm Index (DSI) has been the most widely used method for providing a broad overview of wind erosion in Australia. 

The Dust Storm Index (DSI) provides a measure of the frequency and intensity of wind erosion activity by compiling a composite measure of the contributions of: local dust events, moderate dust storms and severe dust storms using uncorrected Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) visibility reduction readings during each event type.

Whilst the DSI is recognized as the standard technique to report the spatial and temporal patterns of wind erosion at large scales, the Australian Wind Erosion Expert Panel identified the need to change the formal measure of wind erosion activity from the DSI to dust concentration.

Dust concentration is a better measure of wind erosion activity because it quantifies the amount of dust that has been eroded from a soil and is the same as the off-site air quality measure, total suspended particulates (TSP).

The V-DC model was developed during the first half of 2008.

 
Acknowledgements

This project was jointly led by Professor Grant McTainsh and Dr John Leys. Technical support provided by Mr Kenn Tews and Dr Craig Strong.

Funding was provided through the Commonwealth Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries as part of the Natural Heritage Trust (NHT).


Report citation

McTainsh, G. H., Leys, J. F., Tews, E. K. and Strong, C. L. (2008) Dust Storm Index to Dust Concentration: developing a new measure of wind erosion for national and state scale monitoring. Final Report and User Guide to DAFF, June 2008, Canberra, Australia, 27pp.