Prof. Hossein Ganjidoust
Environmental Engineering Division, Civil and Environmental Engineering Faculty, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, I.R., Iran
Title: Transboundary Dust Storms from Western Neighboring Countries and Their Impacts on Urban Equipment, Infrastructure, and Mechanical Environment in Iran
Abstract:
Transboundary dust storms originating from Iran’s western neighboring countries, particularly Iraq and Syria, have become a major environmental and mechanical engineering concern over the past two decades. These large-scale atmospheric events transport fine particulate matter (PM₁₀ and PM₂.₅) across national borders, severely affecting air quality, visibility, and the operational reliability of urban equipment and infrastructure in western and central Iran. From a mechanical engineering perspective, the recurring exposure of machinery, transportation systems, and industrial facilities to dust-laden air induces accelerated wear, corrosion, and clogging in mechanical components. Critical systems such as HVAC units, gas turbines, compressors, and cooling towers suffer reduced efficiency due to particulate deposition on filters, fins, and moving parts. Furthermore, the abrasive nature of mineral dust intensifies erosion on rotating machinery and reduces the lifespan of bearings, seals, and lubrication systems, resulting in higher maintenance costs and unexpected downtime. In urban environments, dust accumulation affects the thermal performance and heat dissipation of mechanical and electrical installations, leading to overheating risks and increased energy consumption. Photovoltaic panels and air-cooled condensers, key elements in Iran’s sustainable energy transition, experience substantial power losses during dust storm episodes due to reduced transmittance and fouling. Moreover, the interaction between dust particles and moisture accelerates electrochemical corrosion in metallic structures, bridges, and pipelines, posing long-term challenges to infrastructure resilience. Mechanical and environmental engineers in Iran are increasingly focusing on mitigation strategies, including advanced filtration systems, surface coatings, and adaptive maintenance scheduling based on dust concentration forecasting. The integration of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) modelling with satellite data and atmospheric simulations offers a promising approach to predict dust dispersion and its mechanical impacts on urban systems. This study highlights the urgent need for regional cooperation to address transboundary dust sources and emphasizes the importance of engineering-based adaptation measures to protect mechanical infrastructure and ensure urban sustainability in dust-prone regions. By linking environmental processes with mechanical system degradation, the research provides a foundation for developing resilient designs capable of withstanding the growing challenge of transboundary dust storms in Iran.
Biography:
Hossein Ganjidoust received his BS in Chemical Engineering from Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas in 1976, 1st MS in Industrial Management from Central Missouri State University, Warrensburg, Missouri in 1977 and 2nd MS in Sanitary Engineering from the University of Missouri-Columbia in 1978 and PhD in Environmental Engineering from the University of Missouri-Rolla in 1988. From March 1995 to April 1996.
He was on a Year of Sabbatical Leave at The National Institute for Resources & Environment (NIRE), Tsukuba Science City, Tsukuba, and Ibaraki, Japan. For three years since March 2013.He has over 30 years’ experience in teaching and research in graduate levels and is presently engaged as Full Professor in the Department of Environmental Engineering, Civil & Environmental Engineering Faculty, at Tarbiat Modares University in Tehran, I.R. Iran. Dr. Ganjidoust research interests include water & wastewater, industrial and hazardous waste handling, treatment, and disposal. In addition, he has given many lectures related to Culture, Archeology & humanity Sciences.
He has supervised more than 30 research projects, and many PhD and MS students’ theses. At present time, he is supervisor of 6 PhD theses and 8 MS theses.
He has published over 150 papers in scientific and ISI Journals and over 200 conference proceedings on his research. He was engaged in the books entitled: Principles of construction debris Landfill Site Selection (Case study: Tehran), Department of Housing and Urban Development, Building and Housing Research Center, Feb. 2013 (in Persian), "Application of Moving Bed Biofilm Reactor (MBBR) in Sanitary & Industrial Wastewater Treatment", Tarbiat Modares Univ. Published in February 2011 and a chapter on: “Hazardous Waste Management in Islamic Republic of Iran, HWM Policies and Practices in Asian Countries” published by Asian Productivity Organization (APO), Tokyo in October 2001.