Sand Storms Major Factors Affecting Dust Deposition in Northwest China: Study

Atmosphere environment quality has drawn much attention in China in recent years. Atmospheric particulate matter, or particulate matter (PM), is a major factor that affects the air quality. 

PM is microscopic solid or liquid matter suspended in the Earth's atmosphere. Sources of particulate matter can be man-made or natural. Either may have impacts on climate and precipitation that adversely affect human health. 

Research team from the Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography (XIEG) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences found recently that sand storms are a major factor affecting the atmospheric quality in northwest China. 

Eolian dust transport and deposition are important geophysical processes which influence global bio-geochemical cycles, especially atmospheric quality. Scientists investigated the spatial distribution and temporal variation in dust deposition and ambient PM10 (particulate matter in aerodynamic diameter≤ 10 µm) concentration from 2000 to 2013 in Xinjiang Province. 

Their study showed that the annual dust deposition was greater in southern Xinjiang than northern and eastern Xinjiang. 

“Dust deposition was more intense during the spring and summer than other seasons. PM10 was the main air pollutant that significantly influenced regional air quality,” said ZHANG Xiaoxiao from the research team. 

Sand storms are a major factor affecting the temporal variability and spatial distribution of dust deposition in northwest China, the study suggested. 

The research result was published in Atmos. Chem. Phys., entitled “Dust deposition and ambient PM10 concentration in northwest China: spatial and temporal variability”.