基于文献记录的敦煌地区历史时期沙尘天气序列重建

Historical dust event sequence reconstruction in Dunhuang based on history records

采用历史文献和现代观测资料结合的方法,根据河西走廊沙尘传输路径上不同地区沙尘暴发生的强度和概率关系,获取了143条记录、83个年代数据,初步建立了敦煌地区过去两千年的沙尘天气活动强度序列,并与邻近地区的树轮、冰芯等气候代用指标研究结果进行对比,分析了历史时期沙尘天气的时空分布与气候条件变化的关系。结果显示:敦煌地区沙尘天气强烈且频发时期主要在280—351年、1440—1550年、1720—1840年、1900—1952年等4个阶段,与周围地区自然代用证据所反映的沙尘高发时期基本对应,且大致对应于干旱、寒冷时段。在公元2世纪以前、7—14世纪、16—17世纪反映沙尘天气的文献记录较为缺失,但史料文献数据仍有广泛的挖掘空间。为填补这些空白时段的资料,应深入开展现有历史记录的定年工作,并加强国内外合作,进一步挖掘海外流失文献的价值,这将为敦煌和整个西北地区历史时期气候环境的研究提供更充分的数据支撑。

The historical sequence of dust events in Dunhuang,Northwest China,over the past two thousand years was constructed based on 143 historical documents records that distribute in 83 years.We established the relationships between the probability and intensity of dust events in different regions along the dust transport path of acient Sili Road in the Hexi Corridor.The sequence was then compared with the findings derived from several climate proxy indicators,including tree rings,ice cores,and other relevant proxies in neighboring regions.We also examized the temporal and spatial correlations of strong dust events with changes of climate factors.The results show that the periods characterized by strong and frequent dust events in Dunhuang were predominantly recorded in four phases:280-351 AD,1440-1550 AD,1720-1840 AD,and 1900-1952 AD.These periods align closely with the dusty periods associated with drought and cold climate conditions,as evidenced by natural climatic proxies from the surrounding areas.The availability of documentary records that reflect dust weather is notably limited prior to the 2nd century,between 7th to 14th centuries,as well as the 16th to 17th centuries.To address the gaps in these blank periods,it is imperative to conduct thorough investigations in the dating of extant historical records,and enhance domestical and international collaboration to provide a more comprehensive exploration of the significance inherent in plundered overseas materials.This will yield more data that support the investigation of the climatic history not only in Dunhuang but also in many other regions of Northwest China.