The Tarim Basin exhibits unique regional characteristics of persistent floating dust suspension. Current understanding of floating dust climatology in this region remains limited to meteorological observations from 1961–1990, with research on persistent floating dust events still in its nascent stages. Regional climate change and underlying surface modifications influence the spatiotemporal distribution of floating dust, necessitating urgent analysis of its climatic evolution in recent decades.

Meng Lu, a researcher at the Taklimakan Desert Meteorology Field Experiment Station of China Meteorological Administration (under the Institute of Desert Meteorology, China Meteorological Administration), analyzed spatiotemporal variations of floating dust over the past 30 years (1991–2020) using observational data from 27 stations in the Tarim Basin. The study quantified the frequency distribution of persistent floating dust events to advance understanding of "suspended-dust" dynamics.

Fig. Interannual variation trend of floating dust days in the Tarim basin averaged from 1991 to 2020

Key findings reveal: In the recent 30 years (1991—2020), the interannual variation trend of floating dust days displays a "V" shape in the basin, that is, the whole basin experienced a downward trend from 1991 to 2011, and the trend has turned to upward since 2012. The Pishan-Hotan-Cele-Minfeng area to the south of the Tarim basin is an maximum value center of frequent floating dust. Since the beginning of this century, the maximum center of floating dust in the south of the basin has moved eastward to Minfeng area, where the maximum value is 152 d. Floating dust exhibits unique regional features in the Tarim basin. In the recent 30 years, floating dust persistent for 2 days or longer accounts for 64.25% of the total floating dust days in the Tarim basin. Even monthly scale extreme floating dust events that could last for more than 30 days were observed in Hotan, Cele and other places in the south of the basin. A climatic dust characteristic of persistent floating dust in the Tarim basin is presented.

The research, entitled " Climatic characteristics of floating dust and persistent floating dust over the Tarim basin in the recent 30 years", was published in Acta Meteorologica Sinica with Meng Lu as lead author. Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China and Xinjiang Meteorological Bureau Guidance Projects.

Citation:

Meng L., Zhao T.L., He Q., et al. 2022. Climatic characteristics of floating dust and persistent floating dust over the Tarim basin in the recent 30 years. Acta Meteorologica Sinica, 80(2):1–12.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.11676/qxxb2022.022