Causes of Strong Sandstorm Weather on March 15,2021 in Ulanqab City

The severe sandstorm process in Ulanqab,Inner Mongolia on March 15,2021 was analyzed and discussed from the aspects of weather facts,weather causes and dynamic diagnosis.The results show that the strong cold air in West Siberia rapidly moved eastward,and the surface cold front moved eastward to Ulanqab with significant warming in the previous period,resulting in gale and sandstorm weather.This severe sandstorm process occurred in basically stable atmospheric stratification.During the strong sandstorm and extremely strong sandstorm process on March 15,the strong warming in the early period near the surface led to the surface thermal instability,and sand was generated by the upward movement of the Mongolian cyclone.Over the upper northwest air stream,barocline disturbance developed unsteadily,and the upper cold advection stimulated the secondary circulation of front perpendicular to the surface;the surface cyclone turned into strong cold front,and then strong sandstorm weather occurred in Ulanqab.

Analysis of Spatial and Temporal Variation and Forecast Model of Sandstorm Weather in Ulanqab City

Based on the data of sandstorm at 11 stations in Ulanqab City from 1990 to 2021,the spatial and temporal variation characteristics of sand-storm weather were analyzed firstly,and then the conceptual models of cold front and Mongolian cyclone sandstorm were obtained by analyzing sandstorm cases.Finally,the forecast points of the two types of sandstorm weather were given to provide some scientific basis and reference for the prediction of local sandstorm weather in the future.

Distribution Characteristics of Soil Organic Carbon in Degraded Forest Land in the Sandstorm Area of Jingbian County,Shaanxi Province

[Objectives]To explore the distribution characteristics of soil organic carbon in degraded forest land in the sandstorm area of Jingbian County,Shaanxi Province.[Methods]The distribution characteristics and abundance of 0-20 cm shallow soil organic carbon in 5 towns in the sandstorm area in the north of Jingbian County were studied by field sampling and indoor detection.[Results]The average soil organic carbon contents in Hongdunjie Town,Haizetan Town,Huanghaojie Town,Ningtiaoliang Town and Dongkeng Town were 2.93,3.21,2.53,2.54 and 4.08 g/kg,respectively,which were all lower than the national background value(31.00 g/kg).The coefficients of variation of soil organic carbon content in Hongdunjie Town,Huanghaojie Town and Dongkeng Town were 59.04%,35.97%and 47.55%,respectively,with higher coefficients of variation and larger differences in spatial distribution.The organic carbon content of Haizetan Town and Dongkeng Town was above the abundance,accounting for 70%and 50%,which were relatively rich,while the soil organic carbon content of Hongdunjie was relatively scarce.The average content of soil organic carbon in the sandstorm area was 3.03 g/kg,which was also lower than the national background value.The coefficient of variation was 46.53%,showing high coefficient of variation and large difference in spatial distribution.In addition,20.41%of the average content of soil organic carbon in the sandstorm area was in the deficient level,and 79.59%were in the medium or above level.[Conclusions]The study of distribution characteristics of soil organic carbon in degraded forest land in the sandstorm area of Jingbian County will better serve the precise management of soil resources.

Informational digital diagrams applied to predict spring wind,snow,and sandstorms

Using informational digital diagrams, we analyzed the snow event that occurred on Feb 26, 2006 and the sandstorm on Apr 11, 2006 in Xi＇an. Results indicate that, under similar weather circumstances, different events evidently exhibit unique vertical structure features. Informational digital diagrams provide a method for transitional weather prediction, a problem for present extrapolative analysis system.

Environmental characteristics of sandstorm of Minqin Oasis in China for recent 50 years

The purpose of this present study is to investigate the frequency and variation of sandstorm in Minqin Oasis. Using daily observational data of sandstorm and other meteorologic data from 1954 to 2000, we have illuminated the relationship between sandstorm, meteorological parameters and human activities. The results of the analysis show that the highest frequency of sandstorms occurrence and their duration mainly focus on March, April and May, especially in April. Most of sandstorms occur from midday to nightfall, but relative few appear from midnight to forenoon, which apparently correlates to the daily variations of atmospheric thermal stability within atmospheric boundary layer. Monthly mean and annual mean duration of sandstorms coincide well with the frequencies of sandstorm occurrence.

Change of Soil Organic Carbon after Cropland Afforestation in ′Beijing-Tianjin Sandstorm Source Control′ Program Area in China

Land use change is one of the major factors that affect soil organic carbon （SOC） variation and global carbon balance. However, the effects of land use change on SOC are always variable. In this study, using a series of paired-field experiments, we estimated the effects of revegetation types and environmental conditions on SOC stock and vertical distribution after replacement of cropland with poplar （Populus tomentosa） and korshinsk peashrub （Caragana korshinskt＇i） in three climate regions （Chifeng City, Fengning City and Datong City of the ＇Beijing-Tianjin Sandstorm Source Control＇ （BTSSC） program area. The results show that SOC sequestration rate ranges from 0.15 Mg/（ha-yr） to 3.76 Mg/（ha-yr） in the soil layer of 0-100 cm in early stage after cropland afforestation in the BTSSC program area. The SOC accumulation rates are the highest in Fengning for both the two vegetation types. Compared to C. korshinskii, P tomentosa has greater effects on SOC accumulation in the three climate regions, but significantly greater effect only appears in Datong. The SOC density increases by 20%-111% and 15%-59% for P. tomentosa and 9%-63% and 0-73% for C. korshinskii in the 0-20 cm and 20-100 cm soil layers, respectively. Our results indicate that cropland afforestation not only affects SOC stock in the topsoil, but also has some effects on subsoil carbon. However, the effect of cropland afforestation on SOC accumulation varied with climate regions and revegetation types. Considering the large area of revegetation and relatively high SOC accumulation rate, SOC sequestration in the BTSSC program should contribute significantly to decrease the CO2 concentration in the atmosphere.

Deposition of sandstorms in a vegetation-covered sand dune in Ejin Oasis and its characteristics

＂Ejin Section＂ found in a typical vegetation-covered sand dune in Ejin Oasis was investigated. In this study, 263 samples were taken from the section for grain-size analysis, 25 for chemical analysis, 11 for ^14C dating and 6 for scanning electron microscope （SEM）. The results of the study indicate that 3 types of the sediments in the section can be identified, YS, LS and ST. YS, homogeneous yellow-brown dune sands, is equal to those of inland deserts, LS, loess-like sandy soils, is the same as the sandy loess in the middle Yellow River and modem falling dusts, and ST, sandy sediments interbeded with the deadwood and defoliation of Tamarix spp, represents the depositional process of the section interrupted by abrupt changes in climate. The Ejin Section has recorded the repeated dust-storms or sandstorms since 2500 yr BP and the peak periods of the dust-storms or sandstorms revealed by the section are consistent with the records of ＂dust rains＂ in historical literatures, indicating that the change of climate is a key factor to increase sandstorms or dust-storms, whereas, ＂artificial＂ factor may only be an accelerating one for desertification.

Single Image Enhancement in Sandstorm Weather via Tensor Least Square

In this paper,we present a tensor least square based model for sand/sandstorm removal in images.The main contributions of this paper are as follows.First,an important intrinsic natural feature of outdoor scenes free of sand/sandstorm is found that the outlines in RGB channels are somewise similar,which discloses the physical validation using the tensor instead of the matrix.Second,a tensor least square optimization model is presented for the decomposition of edge-preserving base layers and details.This model not only decomposes the color image(taken as an inseparable indivisibility)in X,Y directions,but also in Z direction,which meets the statistical feature of natural scenes and can physically disclose the intrinsic color information.The model’s advantages are twofold:one is the decomposition of edgepreserving base layers and details that can be employed for contrast enhancement without artificial halos,and the other one is the color driving ability that makes the enhanced images as close to natural images as possible via the inherent color structure.Thirdly,the tensor least square optimization model based image enhancement scheme is discussed for the sandstorm weather images.Finally,the experiments and comparisons with the stateof-the-art methods on real degraded images under sandstorm weather are shown to verify our method’s efficiency.

Climate change indirectly enhances sandstorm prevention services by altering ecosystem patterns on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau

Climate change influences both ecosystems and ecosystem services.The impacts of climate change on ecosystems and ecosystem services have been separately documented.However,it is less well known how ecosystem changes driven by climate change will influence ecosystem services,especially in climate-sensitive regions.Here,we analyzed future climate trends between 2040 and 2100 under four Shared Socioeconomic Pathway(SSP) scenarios(SSP1-2.6,SSP2-4.5,SSP3-7.0,and SSP5-8.5) from the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project 6(CMIP6).We quantified their impacts on ecosystems patterns and on the ecosystem service of sandstorm prevention on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau(QTP),one of the most climate-sensitive regions in the world,using Random Forest model(RF) and Revised Wind Erosion Equation(RWEQ).Strong warming(0.04℃/yr) and wetting(0.65 mm/yr) trends were projected from 2015 to 2100.Under these trends,there will be increased interspersion in the pattern of grassland and sparse vegetation with meadow and swamp vegetation,although their overall area will remain similar,while the areas of shrub and needleleaved forest classes will increase and move toward higher altitudes.Driven by the changes in ecosystem patterns caused by climate change indirectly,grassland will play an irreplaceable role in providing sandstorm prevention services,and sandstorm prevention services will increase gradually from 2040 to 2100(1.059-1.070 billion tons) on the QTP.However,some areas show a risk of deterioration in the future and these should be the focus of ecological rehabilitation.Our research helps to understand the cascading relationship among climate change,ecosystem patterns and ecosystem services,which provides important spatio-temporal information for future ecosystem service management.

Sandstorms and desertification

Sandstorm is a frequently occurred disastrous weather in northern China. The increasing occurrence frequency recently, especially the much more frequently occurred sandstorms with high intensity in the spring of 2000 have caused great loss to national economy. The combination of strong wind, exposed sandy soil on ground surface and unstable air current constitutes the necessary conditions for the sandstorms. However, the accelerated desertification process resulting from irrational human economic activities is responsible for the accelerated sandstorms. The effective measures to mitigate sandstorm lie in strengthening desertification control and eco-environmental protection.

Analysis of mass concentration of atmospheric particulate matter in a sandstorm course and its affecting factors in the Taklimakan Desert

During the course of a major sandstorm from April 17 to April 23, 2008 in the Taklimakan Desert, data pertaining to the mass concentrations of different-sized atmospheric particulate matter were observed continuously with Grimm 1.108, Thermo RP 1400a, TSP, and CAWS-600 instruments. The results showed that： （1） during the entire sandstorm process there were some dif- ferences between the daily mean particle concentration peaks and the hourly mean particle concentration peaks because the actual sandstorm lasted for only about 4 hr, whereas more particles were accumulated in the floating dust days before and after the actual sandstorm; （2） the intensity of the sandstorm was enhanced with the increase of wind speed, and this was related to the peak mass concentrations of atmospheric particulate matter; the wind speed directly affected the concentration of atmospheric particulate matter： the higher the wind speed, the higher the mass concentration （〉0.23 μm was 39,496.5 μg/m^3, and 〉20.0 μm was 5,390.7μg/m^3）; （3） the concentration changes of PM10 and TSP were also related to the course and intensity of the sandstorm; and （4） the mass concentration of atmospheric particulate matter had the following sequence during the dust weather： clear day 〈 floating dust 〈 floating and blowing dust 〈 sandstorm. Temperature, relative humidity, and barometric pressure are important factors affecting the strength of storms, which could also indirectly affect the concentration change of atmospheric particulate matter.

The digital diagrams analysis and forecast of sandstorm weather

The strong sandstorm weather process analysis has been done with the information digital diagrams method and times extended observation information on 23rd May,2004 in Gansu Province. The research results reveal the unique mechanism structure of sandstorm disaster weather and the signification of irregular information,approve that the region digital diagrams has the capability to forecast the character and intension of transition disaster weather,and explain certainly that the meteorological problem is transformation problem of evolvement science.

Response of Vegetation Cover Change to Drought at Different Time-scales in the Beijing-Tianjin Sandstorm Source Region,China

Dominated by an arid and semiarid continental climate,the Beijing-Tianjin Sandstorm Source Region(BTSSR)is a typical ecologically fragile region with frequently occurring droughts.To provide information for regional vegetation protection and drought prevention,we assessed the relations between vegetation cover change(measured by the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index,NDVI)and the Standardized Precipitation Evapotranspiration Index(SPEI)at different time-scales,in different growth stages,in different subregions and for different vegetation types based on the Pearson's correlation coefficient in the BTSSR from 2000 to 2017.Results showed that 88.19%of the vegetated areas experienced increased NDVI in the growing season;48.3%of the vegetated areas experi-enced significantly increased NDVI(P<0.05)and were mainly in the south of the BTSSR.During the growing season,a wetter climate contributed to the increased vegetation cover from 2000 to 2017,and NDVI anomalies were closely related to SPEI.The maximum correlation coefficient in the growing season(Rmax)was significantly positive(P<0.05)in 97.84%of the total vegetated areas.In the vegetated areas with significantly positive Rmax,pixels with short time-scales(1-3 mon)accounted for the largest proportion(33.9%).The sensitivity of vegetation to the impact of drought rose first and then decreased in the growing season,with a peak in July.Compared with two subregions in the south,subregions in the north of the BTSSR were more sensitive to the impacts of drought variations,especially in the Xilingol Plateau and Wuzhumuqin Basin.All four major vegetation types were sensitive to the effects of drought variations,especially grasslands.The time-scales of the most impacting droughts varied with growth stages,regions,and vegetation types.These results can help us understand the relations between vegetation and droughts,which are important for ecological restoration and drought prevention.

Analysis of the Occurrence Mechanism of a Strong Sandstorm Based on Potential Vorticity

Based on the observational data, NCEP 1°×1° reanalysis data and potential vorticity theory, the occurrence mechanism of a strong sandstorm occurring in Inner Mongolia during March 14-15 was studied. The results show that the large potential vortex area in the upper troposphere moved eastward and downward, and a structure similar to a "funnel" appeared;the cyclone moved eastward and developed;the high potential vortex region always matched the region where the cyclone developed;the development of the cyclone was closely related to the cold air activity, and there was an obvious interaction between high-and low-altitude systems. The potential vorticity at 500 hPa had obvious significance for the influencing system of this sandstorm. The 0.5 PVU contour line can be used as the boundary of sandstorm weather area. On the potential temperature profile, the occurrence process of this sandstorm was the process of the expansion of cold air from high latitudes to low latitudes. When the high-value potential vorticity system slide along the isentropic surface, the lower vertical vorticity increased due to the increasing slope of the isentropic surface and the conservation of potential vorticity, leading to the development of the surface cyclone circulation and the enhancement of wind speed, and further causing the occurrence of this sandstorm.

Classification of Sandstorms in Saudi Arabia

The aim of the study is to classify the Sandstorms according to year seasons as well as their spatial variation in Saudi Arabia. Factor analysis has been used for data collection. Three factors have been presented: the first factor related to Spring as a prime Season for Dust Sandstorms. Factor two shows that Samar months concern as ascend season for Sandstorms, while the Autumn Season comes as a third period for Dust Sandstorms. With regard to spatial variation, Al-Ahsa station came as the most closely related station in the spring season, followed by Hafr Elbatten, Jazan and Al-Jouf stations, while Jazan and Yenbo stations were the most connected stations in the summer season, Turaif is more closely related, to Fall season. By the end of the study several results and recommendations have been addressed.

CAS Scientists Clarify Causes of Sandstorms

The main causes of the heavysandstorms ravaging north Chinathis spring are abnormal climateand the encroachment ofdesertification, says a CAS reportreleased in Beijing on May 15.

Overgrazing blamed for worsening sandstorms

ALASHAN AND ORDOS,Inner Mongolia-Dust,five centimeters thick, and rat holes cover the landscape of the Shilekai village,about 300 kilometers from the city of Ordos, Inner Mongolia.

京津风沙源区NPP时空变化及其对治理工程实施的响应

利用遥感大数据对生态治理工程区域的净初级生产力和固碳能力进行长期动态监测可以实现对治理工程的实施效果的评价,同时为区域“碳中和”目标的实现及可持续发展提供有力支撑。利用Google Earth Engine(GEE)云计算平台,基于改进的CASA模型对京津风沙源治理工程区域的NPP进行计算。运用Sen斜率分析和MK趋势分析方法对2001—2020年间的NPP进行时空变化分析,并分析NPP对京津风沙源治理工程实施的响应。结果表明:1)在京津风沙源工程治理期间,京津风沙源区NPP总体呈波动上升趋势,平均增速为2.21 gC m^(-2)a^(-1),其中极显著增加区域占38.03%,说明京津风沙源治理工程对我国“碳中和”任务起到了积极作用,增加了区域的固碳能力;2)空间尺度上,京津风沙源区NPP和固碳量空间异质性较大,空间分布上主要呈现东部高,西部低的特点,其中,暖温带落叶阔叶林区域最高,温带荒漠区域最低;3)治理工程的实施所带来的NPP增长的速度在不同的区域并不一致,2001—2020年的NPP增速京津冀地区(4.74 gC m^(-2)a^(-1))>山西地区(4.52 gC m^(-2)a^(-1))>陕西地区(3.53 gC m^(-2)a^(-1))>内蒙古地区(1.55 gC m^(-2)a^(-1));4)生态工程实施所带来的生态环境的改善总体呈现先慢后快的特点,绝大部分区域后十年间的变化速率都显著大于前十年,而在生态环境较为恶劣、荒漠区域广布的内蒙古地区,生态环境的改善则具有一定的滞后性,2001—2010年NPP增速仅为0.04 gC m^(-2)a^(-1),直到2011年,NPP才开始有较为明显的增长,2011—2020年NPP增速为1.67 gC m^(-2)a^(-1)。风沙源治理工程需要长期坚持,才能取得更明显的成效。

塔克拉玛干沙漠腹地晴天与沙尘暴天气大气边界层对比分析

根据2017、2019年7月塔克拉玛干沙漠腹地GPS探空和地面观测数据,利用位温廓线法等方法,对比分析了沙漠腹地夏季晴天和沙尘暴天气大气边界层结构变化特征。结果表明:晴天和沙尘暴天气大气边界层结构特征显著不同。晴天大气边界层各气象要素垂直分布较为均一,白天对流边界层深厚,高度接近5 km,夜间稳定边界层一般在500 m左右。沙尘暴天气边界层内位温和比湿垂直变化较小,风速较大,可达24.0 m/s,其白天对流边界层在1.5 km左右,夜间稳定边界层在1 km左右。晴天辐射强烈,地表升温迅速,湍流旺盛,是形成晴天深厚对流边界层的主要因素。大尺度天气系统冷平流的动力条件,以及云和沙尘减弱了到达地表的辐射强度是形成沙尘暴天气独特的大气边界层结构的主要因素。

Numerical simulation of flow field deposition and erosion characteristics around bridge-road transition section

Wind-sand flow generates erosion and deposition around obstacles such as bridges and roadbeds, resulting in sand damage and endangering railway systems in sandy regions. Previous studies have mainly focused on the flow field around roadbeds, overlooking detailed examinations of sand particle erosion and deposition patterns near bridges and roadbeds. This study employs numerical simulations to analyze the influence of varying heights and wind speeds on sand deposition and erosion characteristics at different locations: the bridge-road transition section(side piers), middle piers, and roadbeds. The results show that the side piers, experience greater accumulation than the middle piers. Similarly, the leeward side of the roadbed witnesses more deposition compared to the windward side. Another finding reveals a reduced sand deposition length as the vertical profile, in alignment with the wind direction, moves further from the bridge abutments at the same clearance height. As wind speeds rise, there’s a decline in sand deposition and a marked increase in erosion around the side piers, middle piers and roadbeds. In conclusion, a bridge clearance that’s too low can cause intense sand damage near the side piers, while an extremely high roadbed may lead to extensive surface sand deposition. Hence, railway bridges in areas prone to sandy winds should strike a balance in clearance height. This research provides valuable guidelines for determining the most suitable bridge and roadbed heights in regions affected by wind and sand.