Reinforcing Existing Ideas On The Sand and Dust Storms Environmental Impact

DOI 10.17605/OSF.
IO/2NCQX (ISSN: 2204-9827)

Philippine Copyright @2020 by Gomeseria, Ronald y Valledor
Licensed under the
Durreesamin Journal
December Vol 4 Issue 3, Year 2018
Creative Commons License - Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _
Reinforcing Existing Ideas on the Sand and Dust

Storms Environmental Impact
By Ronald Valledor Gomeseria, Ph.D. – January 2019 (Republished)
Figure 01, Sand and Dusty Storms in Qatar Desert (credit: Flickr)
This article paper has been published through Durreesamin Journal as a series of Environmental Advocacy
& Conservation Personal Journal & Reflections compositions for the subject course at the University of the
Philippines. However, this paper explains the impact and the repercussions of Sandstorm occurrence
within the three pillars of the environment and that is; the sustainability, the society, and the
economy affecting the environmental landscape most specifically the Middle East Region including Qatar.
Insight
The sand and dust storms are happening around the world like a typhoon in the Pacific region, however,
in the Middle East region, the sand and dust storm (Figure 01) or they called them as “sandstorms” are a
regular occurrence and common in the arid and semi-arid land like in Doha. In 15-years onward in Qatar,
this is not new to the author, but a kind of environment is impacting an individual’s health which is not
good for humanity. The sand and dust storms can cause sick/illness, social disruption, and economic loss.
Consequently, according to scientists and researchers, the composition of dust storms has played an
essential role in the global dust cycle not only in the Middle East, which alters the radiative balance. And
because of this occurrence, sand and dust storms can eventually damage the agricultural crops farming in
the region, and usually, this might retard the plant growth and castrate the marine benthic organism’s life
cycle which has been blocking the path due to a less sunlight discernment unto the floor.
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All rights reserved. This ARTICLE or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the
AUTHOR except for the use of brief quotations in a literature review. (Under Sec. 172 of R.A. 8293 of which consent of the copyright owner has been secured)
ePrinted from/by Gomeseria, Ronald y Valledor, Quezon City, Philippines / ePrinting, 2020, DOI 10.17605/OSF.IO/2NCQX
DOI 10.17605/OSF.IO/2NCQX (ISSN: 2204-9827)
Licensed under the
Durreesamin Journal
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _
But how we can identify and assure when there are sand and dust storms happenings? However, like for
example that when you are driving your car and the visibility is found below 1000 meters coincidentally on
the beautiful dusty day when the unavoidable sand and dusty storm is occurring. Moreover, the sand and
dust storms should not be confused with other types involved, which for them can help in knowing with a
big factor of clouds of dust such as rising dust, suspended dust and haze in our collective family home.
Qatar is among the countries located in the Middle East Region, which accordingly has extreme
temperature places on Earth compared to the Philippines, and that is a tropical place. Also, the state is
highly vulnerable to the impact of environmental change and the unsustainable ecosystem within the area.
Sand & Dusty Storms Environmental Effect

The weighty sandstorm pedigree in the GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) arid countries is because of the
presence of the desert itself compared to the Sahara Desert accounted only for 25% of the suspended
microparticles in the atmosphere. Based on the geographic data, the total annual production worldwide of
dust by the soils deflation and its sediments have been estimated at around 61 to 366 million tons.
Accordingly, within the Africa region alone, the data has been evaluated with more than 100 million tons
of dust per annum which are being blown westward over the Atlantic. However, the Arabian Peninsula is
also recognized as one of the significant sources of dune sand in the world and its occurrence.
The significant provenance in the current day of sand and dust storms which are known from the
subtropical desert regions and with the semi-arid and sub-humid areas whereas the dry exposed sand
tends to be driven by dreadful winds during the dry period of the year and that falls every summer period
in the Gulf region. Consequently, the regional sources of dust and sand are from the alluvial plains of
southern Mesopotamia, Syrian Desert, Jordan, and North Saudi Arabia that affect the nearby region too.
The sand and dust storms in the GCC region has been dominated by strong winds from Shamal, and it is
the local name for the northerly as well as for the north-westerly winds accordingly.
As we all know that the desert regions are being identified with the two main factors causing sand and
dust storms based on the geographic and climatic conditions. However, some of the components of
these two conditions identify with the following occurrences as such;
 With the loose and dry sand, dirt, lack of vegetation or land cover,
 Having strong seasonal wind speed on the ground,
 The surface air turbulence is due to the enormous amounts of radiation in the region,
 The vertical and unstable weather conditions,
 The dry surfaces which are expected to lack rain,
 With the decrease in soil moisture and the soil/sand binding capacity due to reduced
or lack of rainfall, and
 The anthropogenic factors such as land clearing and desertification
Moreover, the frequency of sand and dust storms during summertime is more prevalent, and that provides
the most favorable climatic conditions for the same. However, the human-induced changes have been
considered due to its significant factors increase in the occurrences of sand and dust storms in some of the
non-arid regions.
Impact of Sand & Dusty Storms Locally and Globally

In a typical scenario, dust can be found easily anywhere in the flat, offices, or somewhere else wherever
we go, and it is due to the air pollutions we breathe that gives us a warning indication. The dust particles
which are in the air have caused with shielding effect and look likely as the rain cloud in the sky. The dust
particle is commonly known as the dust aerosols which castrates the environmental temperature through
the interception of the sunlight radiation approaches that reduce during the occurrence on the surface.
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Durreesamin Journal
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One of the author’s articles, “Environmental Engineering in Built-Up Areas,” published in the ViewPoint
Journal (December 2019) explains the implication of pollutions. Construction activities are one of the major
sources of pollution contributing to air, water, and noise pollutions plus dust, waste and light pollutions,
and the emissions of hazardous gases & also the waste that goes unnoticed in a construction environment.
Moreover, the so-called, net radiation as implied is equal to the sunlight that has been absorbed less with
the thermal radiation which has been emitted within the surface then back to the atmosphere are the
consequences of the cooling effect locally within a period temporarily. And this effect can reduce the
temperature by 10 degrees Celsius, it is because of the diminishing sunlight that plays within the surface.
But for your information, since this has been discussed as part of this article, the dust aerosols differ from
the sulfate aerosols that are emitted from the activities during a volcanic eruption in natural form.
Moreover, let us discuss the difference of the sulfate aerosols to the dust aerosols impacting the relevance
to the environment. The sulfate aerosols lofted into the stratosphere during the volcanic eruption which
reflects where the sunlight back into the space that reduces the amount of the radiative heating on both
occasions within the atmosphere surface level. However, the effect of the solar heat displacement away
from the surface within the local level is due to the dust aerosol which emasculates the Earth’s
temperature. Whereas the cooling effect can only sustain within the short period as the heat from the
surrounding warmer region will be transferred to the dust affected area to bring equilibrium in the
temperature distribution and thereby offsetting the cooling effect. And with this condition, therefore, the
result of local temperature will get back to the usual scenario within the period of occurrence.
Thus, the good thing in the scenario is that the cooling effect of the Arabian dust cloud which can be
extended for quite some time from northern Asia into the Pacific and North America whenever the
atmospheric circulation connects the regions downwind beneath the dust cloud in Figure 02.
Figure 02, Environmental Change with the Sand and Dusty Storms in Qatar (credit: Flickr)
Effect on the Green Building Environment and Sustainability

The effect of sand and dust storms that occur in the Middle East region can cause a negative
environmental impact on the infrastructure and building built environment and that is subjected to the
three pillars of environment and it is with the sustainability, the society, and the economy affecting
the environmental landscape. But with the technological advancement and application, however, this can
be done through the treatment process for green building applications. And this has been discussed in the
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Licensed under the
Durreesamin Journal
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _
author’s articles, “Urban Greening Policy – a Proposal,’’ (January 2020) and “Desert Landscape to a
Sustainable Environment,” (December 2019) published in the ResearchGate, of sustainability effect.
Overall, the occurrence has bad implications especially to the environment, and as the dust cloud rises,
this reduces the horizontal visibility effect whereas the low visibility is impacting human life in many forms,
but mostly resulting in a health problem of individuals, and hence, precaution must be addressed.
The fine suspended particles of sand and dust storms contain various contaminants, bacteria, pollens,
whereas, according to the Supreme Health Institution, this can cause negative on personal health impacts
which will suffer from allergies and respiratory diseases. Moreover, the dust carries airborne pollutants
through with the toxins, heavy metals, salt, sulfur, pesticides, and others that cause significant health
impacts when individuals inhale the fine suspended contaminated dust within the occurrence.
Conclusion
Aside from personal health impacts gained, the effect of sand and dusty storms occurrence in the
infrastructure can destroy the entire buildings, engineering services, and other infrastructure facilities.
Because it was found out that the sand and dust particles contain a high level of salts within the deserted
gulf region that includes Qatar whereas the author residing currently, and this is the reason that can be
able to say something about sandstorm based on the observation and experiences in the region for more
the 15+years onwards in the country that impacting the three pillars of environment and that is; the
sustainability, the society, and the economy affecting the environmental landscape.
And with the semi-arid lands environment in the area, again, the impacts of sand and dust storms
occurrence may be a more critical component in the agro-ecosystems too. However, some technological
innovation is still approaching based on the researches and studies that maybe soon will be applied to
improve the agricultural sector in the country as well as providing an economic solution soon.
Hence, as an environmental advocate, it is the capacity of the society and the natural systems either to
prevent or to minimize the impacts of environmental change through the effect of sand and dusty storms
occurrence. And again, it is the government and with their policies can do something to help and protect
humanity living in the country in securing a sustainable environment and quality life.
Write-Up References can be Read from this Links;

Gomeseria, RV; (December 2018); “Environmental Advocacy & Conservation Personal Journal &
Reflections;” Durreesamin Journal (ISSN: 2204-9827) December Vol 4 Issue 3; the Year 2018
Gomeseria RV; (Dec 2019), “Desert Landscape to a Sustainable Environment,” Journal of
Management and Development Studies, University of the Philippines Open University; Retrieved from;
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/338295474_Desert_Landscape_to_a_Sustainable_Environme
nt
Gomeseria RV; (January 2020), “Urban Greening Policy – a Proposal,” Journal of Management and
Development Studies, University of the Philippines Open University; Retrieved from;
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/338458486_Urban_Greening_Policy_a_Proposal
Gomeseria, RV; (2020, February); "Climate Change, “Deniers,” is it?;” Retrieved from;
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/339290180_Climate_Change_Deniers_is_it
Gomeseria, RV; (2020, January); "Environmental Engineering in Built-Up Areas;” Retrieved from;
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/338342497_Environmental_Engineering_in_Built-Up_Areas
Gomeseria, RV; (2020, January); "Landscape Structure and Implications for Sustainable
Environmental Management;” Retrieved from;
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/338558123_Landscape_Structure_and_Implications_for_Sust
ainable_Environmental_Management
Page 4 of 5
Licensed under the
Durreesamin Journal
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _
Gomeseria, RV; (2020, January); "Landscape Structure and Elements, an Example;” Retrieved from;
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/338536460_Landscape_Structure_and_Elements_an_Exampl
e
About the Author

With 27,770+ LinkedIn Followers Connections (28 February 2020)
Er. Ronald Valledor Gomeseria, Ph.D. ME/PME, PE, PEng, CEng, CBuildE, CEnv, APEC (IntPE), ACPE, ASEANEng
Professional Engineer (Philippines, Qatar, India, UK); Chartered Engineer (India, UK); Chartered Environmentalist (India);
Chartered Engineering Manager (USA); Chartered Health Care Manager (USA); Specialized Engineering Manager (UK);
Specialized Project Manager (UK); Master Project Manager (USA); Chartered Building Engineer (UK); ASEAN Engineer; ASEAN
Chartered Professional Engineer; APEC Engineer (IntPE); Mechanical Engineer (Phils); Plumbing Engineer / Master Plumber
(Phils); Master Electrician (Phils); Certified International Project Manager (USA)
Book & Article Author/Writer – CEAI ViewPoint Journal | Durresamin Journal | Top 1% Author of Academia and
ResearchGate Platforms | LinkedIn | CHARTERED FELLOW – FCIBSE, FCABE, FSPE, FIMS, FCIML, FAAMP
eCommerce Graduate Course (99.34 GWA-High Distinction Award); New Enterprise Planning Grad Course (94.6 GWA Distinction Award)
RCRANRM / CCA&DRM / PED Graduate Courses – UPOU CEP Courses Topnotch | SAfE Course (2020 – Ongoing)
Post Graduate Diploma in Environment and Natural Resources Management major in Upland Resources Management (DENRM-URM, 1.78 GWA)
Post Graduate Diploma in Environment and Natural Resources Management major in Coastal Resources Management (DENRM-CRM) - Ongoing
University of the Philippines, Los Banos, Laguna, Philippines
Master of Science in Construction Management (36 Credit Units / 2016-2018, 1.14 GWA / 4.0 US GPA, Topnotch)
Polytechnic University of the Philippines, Manila, Philippines
Master of Mechanical Engineering (48 Credit Units / 2010-2013, 3.78 US GPA, Magna Cum Laude)
Ph.D. in Building and Construction Engineering (65 Credit Units / 2016-2019, 4.0 US GPA, Summa Cum Laude)
Ph.D. in Environmental Engineering (Ongoing)
Atlantic International University, USA
Master of Arts in Teaching major in Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Technology | EARIST Manila, Philippines (1.12 GPA, 2002-2004)
Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering | Bicol University, Legazpi City, Philippines
You can access the Top 10 Most Read Views and Popular Articles
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2) Environmental Determinism (Published at Academia)
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Keywords: Awareness, Ecosystem, Climate Change, Policies, Strategies, Sandstorm, Sustainability,

Desert, Society, Economy, Urban Greening, Green Building, Built-Up Areas
To cite this paper:Gomeseria, R. V. (2020, March 13). Reinforcing Existing Ideas on the sand
and Dust Storms Environmental Impact. https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/2NCQX
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Reinforcing Existing Ideas On The Sand and Dust Storms Environmental Impact

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DOI 10.17605/OSF.

IO/2NCQX (ISSN: 2204-9827)

Reinforcing Existing Ideas on the Sand and Dust

Sand & Dusty Storms Environmental Effect

Impact of Sand & Dusty Storms Locally and Globally

Effect on the Green Building Environment and Sustainability

Write-Up References can be Read from this Links;

About the Author

Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering | Bicol University, Legazpi City, Philippines

Keywords: Awareness, Ecosystem, Climate Change, Policies, Strategies, Sandstorm, Sustainability,

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