Dynamic processes of dust emission from gobi: A portable wind tunnel study atop the Mogao Grottoes, Dunhuang, China

Zhang, Weimin; Tan, Lihai; Liang, Linhao; Chen, Shuyi; Zhang, Guobin; Zhan, Hongbin; Qiu, Fei; Ma, S.

doi:10.1016/j.aeolia.2022.100784

Cited by 7 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 28 publications

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“…Previous studies revealed that the correlation between η and

u_{*}

was uncertain, which could be attributed to the diverse environmental conditions for the different specific experiments (Table 1). Some reported that there is a significant correlation between them (Zhang, Teng, et al, 2016; Zhang, Tan, et al, 2022). However, others reported that η and

u_{*}

are not correlated at all (Macpherson et al, 2008).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The drift potential reflects the ability of carry sand at a given wind direction over period of time, and it is calculated from wind speed statistics data (Fryberger & Dean, 1979). Although the drift potential of the westerly winds (28%) is less than that of the easterly winds (57%) (Zhang et al, 2014), the presence of the Mingsha mountains to the west of the atop grottoes making the upwind sand source abundant leads to a higher potential of sand transportation for the westerly winds comparing to the easterly winds, and thus, the westerly winds are the main wind direction threatening the Mogao grottoes (Zhang, Tan, et al, 2022).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Although the westerly winds have the lowest frequency of sand movement winds (17.9%), the presence of the Mingsha Mountains to the west served as sand sources. This leads that the westerly wind is a major hazard wind for the Mogao grottoes (Zhang, Tan, et al, 2022).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The dust is transported vertically by turbulent diffusion once it is released from surfaces. In wind tunnels, the turbulent flow within the 0-0.2 m height of the boundary layer can well mixed the dust, which was also tested by simulation in a previous dust emission study (Zhang, Tan, et al, 2022). Therefore, the vertical diffusive flux equals the horizontal dust emission flux assuming steady state and horizontal homogeneity and can be calculated by the gradient method, which has been applied to previous wind tunnel dust emission studies (Gillette et al, 1972;Zhang, Teng, et al, 2016;Zhang et al, 2023).…”

Section: Dust Emission Fluxmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Investigating the impact factors of dust emission efficiency over gobi with portable wind tunnel field experiments

Liang,

Ma,

Zhang

et al. 2024

Earth Surf Processes Landf

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The contribution of the gobi to dust emission in arid northwestern China is largely uncertain due to the lack of studies on the surface properties of gobi. The dust emission efficiency () as a comprehensive characterization of surface properties is an essential parameter for quantifying dust emission. However, the main influencing factors of dust emission efficiency are still unclear, as it is a big challenge to do a comprehensive field experiment and get the long‐term continuous field data in gobi due to its harsh environment. Here, we are aiming at quantitively identifying the main factors of dust emission efficiency by using a portable wind tunnel for field experiments over the gobi surface in Dunhuang Mogao grottoes. Results showed that (1) the abundance of bombardment sand regulates the relationship between and friction wind velocity (). The decreases as a power function with increasing , and the correlation is weak (R2 = 0.41, P < 0.05) in the shortage of bombardment sand. In contrast, increases with following a power function, and the correlation is strong (R2 = 0.91, P < 0.05) when bombardment sand is enriched. (2) The surface dust content of the gobi dominates the , which increases exponentially with the increased dust content. Relative to , the surface dust content has a bigger contribution to . (3) The gobi in Northwest China could be an underestimated dust source, as it has an enriched dust content and a higher than sandy desert. Therefore, the quantitative monitoring and further research of dust emissions in the gobi should be strengthened.

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“…Previous studies revealed that the correlation between η and

u_{*}

u_{*}

are not correlated at all (Macpherson et al, 2008).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Dust Emission Fluxmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Investigating the impact factors of dust emission efficiency over gobi with portable wind tunnel field experiments

Liang,

Ma,

Zhang

et al. 2024

Earth Surf Processes Landf

Self Cite

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“…Mogao Grottoes have suffered from serious sandstorm problems for centuries. Examples of these problems are the burial of caves by sand, erosion of murals, and weathering of paintings [67]. Harm to the murals by indoor dust mainly manifests as discoloration and definition loss, seriously affecting the artistic integrity.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Water-Soluble Ions and Heavy Metal Levels, Source Apportionment, and Health Risk of Indoor Dust in the Mogao Grottoes of Dunhuang, China

Xia

Zhang

et al. 2023

Indoor Air

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The direct ingestion of indoor dust particles at historical heritage sites is a primary exposure pathway for employees to heavy metals. Water-soluble ions (WSIs) and heavy metal levels, sources, bioaccessibility, and health risks associated with indoor dust in the Mogao Grottoes were analyzed using comprehensive methods to determine the differences in the concentrations and distribution characteristics of WSIs and heavy metals between statue dust and floor dust. The concentrations of WSIs and heavy metals and the magnetic values of χ lf and SIRM in indoor dust were higher than those in street dust and topsoil. The mean χ lf and SIRM of statue dust particles were 100.3 × 10 − 8 m 3 k g − 1 and 1686.9 × 1 0 − 5 Am 2 k g − 1 . Specifically, the concentration of Pb was 277 mg k g − 1 , 15-fold higher than the background value, indicating the continual receipt of heavy metals with high magnetic minerals during dust deposition. WSIs mainly originate from the weathering of surrounding rocks and earthen plaster; Pb originates from the shedding of paint of murals and sculptures; and Zn, Cu, and magnetic minerals originate from traffic sources. The bioaccessibility of heavy metals is high in the gastrointestinal phases of indoor dust. Overall, the health risks posed by heavy metals in indoor dust were low, with moderate to high risks in individual caves. Ingestion presents the highest noncarcinogenic and carcinogenic risk to employees. These results provide essential knowledge on indoor dust characteristics in the Mogao Grottoes, facilitating strategies for dust pollution mitigation and employee health risk control.

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Sediment transportation by strong winds over Gobi surfaces: Field observations along the Lanzhou–Xinjiang high‐speed railway

Wang,

Liu,

Niu

et al. 2024

Land Degrad Dev

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Under strong wind action over vast Gobi surfaces, eolian transportation can cause significant environmental problems and infrastructural damage. However, scientific understanding of the underlying mechanisms and dynamics of this process in the Gobi region remains limited. To address this gap, our study focused on investigating eolian transportation over the Gobi surface along the Lanzhou–Xinjiang high‐speed railway (LXHSR) in Northwest China, where strong winds are prevalent. The results indicate that sand transportation heights can reach 9 m in this region, with the saltation layer approximately 3–6 times higher than that of other gravel deserts. The sediment flux density over the Gobi surface exhibited an exponential decrease with increasing elevation; however, the grain‐size vertical profile in wind‐blown sand displayed an increase up to a critical altitude, followed by a decrease with height. The annual eolian transported quantity recorded in this region exceeds that of most deserts worldwide. Notably, fine sand and total suspended particulates (TSP) contributed to approximately 90% of the sediment deposited on railway tracks and drawn in by passing trains. To control transportation of these fine particles, we propose increasing the height of sand‐blocking fences within the current railway wind‐blown sand protection system from 2 to 3 m. Simultaneously, anthropogenic damage to the Gobi surface should be minimized to reduce excessive dust release. This study provides insight into the wind‐blown sand movement mechanism over the Gobi surface under strong winds, and the eolian physics parameters revealed may serve as a theoretical foundation for preventing and managing eolian catastrophes along the Lanzhou–Xinjiang high‐speed railway.

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Dynamic processes of dust emission from gobi: A portable wind tunnel study atop the Mogao Grottoes, Dunhuang, China

Cited by 7 publications

References 28 publications

Investigating the impact factors of dust emission efficiency over gobi with portable wind tunnel field experiments

Investigating the impact factors of dust emission efficiency over gobi with portable wind tunnel field experiments

Water-Soluble Ions and Heavy Metal Levels, Source Apportionment, and Health Risk of Indoor Dust in the Mogao Grottoes of Dunhuang, China

Sediment transportation by strong winds over Gobi surfaces: Field observations along the Lanzhou–Xinjiang high‐speed railway

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