Study on Quantitative Identification Sand and Dust Storm Using MODIS Data∗

In order to detect the scope and the intensity quantificationally, the spectrum characteristic of sand and dust storm was analyzed in detail by using several MODIS data; bands that can distinguish sand and dust from cloud and surface were detected; two indices for determining the scope and intensity of sand and dust storm were found out, and were tested in several storms. Our study result shows: 1) The spectral characteristic of sand and dust in solar wavelengths is that the reflectance increases with the increasing of the wavelength. This is similar to the characteristic of the spectrum of soil. Also, the reflectance of large size dusts increases faster than small size dusts. 2) Small size dusts show typical characteristic of aerosol, being sensitive to blue band of 0.46 μm and insensitive to short wave infrared bands of 1.6 and 2.1 μm. 3) Large size dusts do not have aerosol characteristic, not sensitive to blue band but sensitive to short wave infrared bands. 4) Bands of 3.7 and 8.5 μm are sensitive to dusts. The difference of two bands can be used to identify sands and dusts and reflect the intensity to a certain extent. And 5) the two indices are very effective to monitor sands and dusts by testing a lot of sand and dust storm cases during the period of 2002-2005. Also, the method is simple and easy for operational use.