10.57647/JRS.2026.1603.26

Spatio-Temporal Analysis of Air Pollution and Environmental Dynamics in Central Iran's Desert Rangelands Zones Using Remote Sensing and Google Earth Engine

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  • Mohammad Ali Ghoveh Nodoushan1,
  • Ali Akbar Jamali*2,
  • Seyed Masood Monavari3,
  • Seyed Abolghasem Mirhoseini1,
  • Mehdi Dehghani Zahedani4,
  1. Department of Environment, Ya.C., Islamic Azad University, Yazd, Iran
  2. Department of GIS-RS and Watershed Management, May.C., Islamic Azad University, Maybod, Yazd, Iran
  3. Department of Environmental Science, Faculty of Natural Resources and Environment, SR.C., Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
  4. Department of Bioscience, Ya.C., Islamic Azad University, Yazd, Iran

Received: 2025-08-04

Revised: 2025-10-31

Accepted: 2025-11-08

Published in Issue 2026-09-30

Copyright (c) 2026 Mohammad Ali Ghoveh Nodoushan, Ali Akbar Jamali, Seyed Masood Monavari, Seyed Abolghasem Mirhoseini, Mehdi Dehghani Zahedani (Author)

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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

How to Cite

Ghoveh Nodoushan, M. A., Jamali, A. A., Monavari, S. M., Mirhoseini, S. A., & Dehghani Zahedani, M. (2026). Spatio-Temporal Analysis of Air Pollution and Environmental Dynamics in Central Iran’s Desert Rangelands Zones Using Remote Sensing and Google Earth Engine. Journal of Rangeland Science, 16(3). https://doi.org/10.57647/JRS.2026.1603.26
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Abstract

Desert rangelands, despite existing within environmental regulatory frameworks, can still experience significant air pollution due to emissions from nearby urban and industrial activities. This study examines the spatio-temporal dynamics of nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), carbon monoxide (CO), sulfur dioxide (SO₂), and atmospheric UV Aerosol Index (AER_AI), also known as the Absorbing Aerosol Index (AAI), as dust concentration across of central desert rangelands in Yazd province, Iran. Utilizing Google Earth Engine and remote sensing data, pollution trends were analyzed over six years (2018–2023) in nine locations. The study also investigated the influence of environmental factors-precipitation, wind patterns, and vegetation cover-on mitigating pollution levels. The ANOVA test, mean comparisons, and time series analysis were performed using R software. Time series analyses and statistical comparisons across spatial and temporal groups revealed significant differences between years and locations in pollutant areas. Results showed significantly higher concentrations of NO₂, CO, and SO₂ in desert rangelands near urban and industrial zones compared to control sites. ANOVA tests revealed marked spatial and temporal variations, identifying urban–industrial areas as persistent hotspots. Pollutant levels of NO₂ and CO were positively correlated (r=0.49, p<0.01), while Absorbing Aerosol Index (AAI), as dust concentrations, appeared largely external, originating from sources like dry wetlands. Temperature was strongly associated with AAI (r=0.68, p<0.01), and vegetation showed no capacity to mitigate pollution. These findings underscore the critical need to incorporate environmental factors into the management of desert rangelands and the formulation of industrial development policies to ensure sustainable outcomes. Integrating such considerations can help mitigate pollution and protect fragile ecosystems in arid regions.

Keywords

  • Environmental factors,
  • Atmospheric Pollution,
  • Vegetation Cover
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