Reconstruction of hydrological changes based on tree-ring data of the Haba River, northwestern China

Reconstructing the hydrological change based on dendrohydrological data has important implications for understanding the dynamic distribution and evolution pattern of a given river. The widespread, long-living coniferous forests on the Altay Mountains provide a good example for carrying out the dendrohydrological studies. In this study, a regional composite tree-ring width chronology developed by Lariat sibirica Ledeb. and Picea obovata Ledeb. was used to reconstruct a 301-year annual （from preceding July to succeeding June） streamflow for the Haba River, which originates in the southern Altay Mountains, Xinjiang, China. Results indicated that the reconstructed streamflow series and the observations were fitting well, and explained 47.5% of the variation in the observed streamflow of 1957-2008. Moreover, floods and droughts in 1949-2000 were precisely captured by the streamflow reconstruction. Based on the frequencies of the wettest/driest years and decades, we identified the 19th century as the century with the largest occurrence of hydrological fluctuations for the last 300 years. After applying a 21-year moving average, we found five wet （1724-1758, 1780-1810, 1822-1853, 1931-1967, and 1986-2004） and four dry （1759-1779, 1811-1821, 1854-1930, and 1968-1985） periods in the streamflow reconstruction. Furthermore, four periods （1770-1796, 1816-1836, 1884-1949, and 1973-1997） identified by the streamflow series had an obvious increasing trend. The increasing trend of streamflow since the 1970s was the biggest in the last 300 years and coincided with the recent warming-wetting trend in northwestern China. A significant correlation between streamflow and precipitation in the Altay Mountains indicated that the streamflow reconstruction contained not only local, but also broad-scale, hydro-climatic signals. The 24-year, 12-year, and 2.2-4.5-year cycles of the reconstruction revealed that the streamflow variability of the Haba River may be influenced by solar activity and the atmosphere-ocean system.

Comparison of drought-sensitive tree-ring records from the Tien Shan of Kyrgyzstan and Xinjiang (China) during the last six centuries

In this study, tree-ring width data of Schrenk spruce (Picea schrenkiana) from the upper timberline of the Tien Shan (Kyrgyzstan) were analyzed to investigate the effect of climate change. Growtheclimate response analyses revealed that the tree rings of spruce at the upper timberline of the Tien Shan also can provide hydrometeorological (precipitation and streamflow) signals. Tree-ring records from both Kyrgyzstan and Xinjiang exhibited similar tree-growth variability at both annual and decadal time scales during the common period 1457e2009. In Xinjiang and Kyrgyzstan, tree growth was reduced during the Little Ice Age (LIA); however, the timing and magnitude of LIA differ between the two regions. During 1470e1660, the two chronologies diverged, and this phenomenon is considered to be caused by a different response to the harsh climate of the LIA. In this study, the tree-ring width series from the upper tree line of the Tien Shan is negatively associated with temperature. As opposed to previous studies, the tree-ring width series from the upper timberline of the Tien Shan appears to respond well to hydrometeorological factors. Therefore, we highlight the need for more detailed ecophysiological response studies for spruce trees at the upper timberline of the Tien Shan, in particular, with regard to the role of water availability and temperature during the growth season.

Climatic response of Pinus sylvestris var. mongolica tree-ring width and precipitation reconstruction for the northern Greater Higgnan Mountains, China, since 1720

August-June precipitation has been reconstructed back to AD 1720 for the northern Greater Higgnan Mountains, China, by use ofPinus sylvestris var. mongolica tree-ring width. The reconstruction explains the variance of 39% in observed precipitation from 1973 to 2008. Some extremely dry/wet signals in historical documents and other precipitation reconstructions in previous studies are precisely captured in our reconstruction. Wet periods occurred during the periods of 1730 to 1746, 1789 to 1812, 1844 to 1903, 1920 to 1930, 1942 to 1961, and 1985 to 1998; while periods of 1747 to 1788, 1813 to 1843, 1904 to 1919, 1931 to 1941, and 1962 to 1984 were relatively dry. Power spectral and wavelet analyses demon- strated the existence of significant 24-year, 12-year, and 2-year cycles of variability.

Hydrological and water cycle processes of inland river basins in the arid region of Northwest China

The increasing shortage in water resources is a key factor affecting sustainable socio-economic development in the arid region of Northwest China(ARNC). Water shortages also affect the stability of the region's oasis ecosystem. This paper summarizes the hydrological processes and water cycle of inland river basins in the ARNC, focusing on the following aspects: the spatial-temporal features of water resources(including air water vapor resources, runoff, and glacial meltwater) and their driving forces; the characteristics of streamflow composition in the inland river basins; the characteristics and main controlling factors of baseflow in the inland rivers; and anticipated future changes in hydrological processes and water resources. The results indicate that:(1) although the runoff in most inland rivers in the ARNC showed a significant increasing trend, both the glaciated area and glacial ice reserves have been reduced in the mountains;(2) snow melt and glacier melt are extremely important hydrological processes in the ARNC, especially in the Kunlun and Tianshan mountains;(3) baseflow in the inland rivers of the ARNC is the result of climate change and human activities, with the main driving factors being the reduction in forest area and the over-exploitation and utilization of groundwater in the river basins; and(4) the contradictions among water resources, ecology and economy will further increase in the future. The findings of this study might also help strengthen the ecological, economic and social sustainable development in the study region.

Recent Climate Warming of Central China Reflected by Temperature-sensitive Tree Growth in the Eastern Qinling Mountains and its Linkages to the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans

We have developed a 202-year tree-ring width chronology of Shensi fir(Abies chensiensis) growing in an open canopy forest at the treeline of the eastern Qinling Mountains. Climate response analyses revealed that the ring width of Shensi fir trees is primarily controlled by the range of temperature from February–June. The regression model that we used for statistical temperature reconstruction passed the leave-one-out cross-validation used in dendroclimatology, resulting in a quality-controlled February–June reconstruction for the eastern Qinling Mountains. The model accounts for 36.7% of the instrumental temperature variance during the period of 1960–2012. Warm springs and early summers occurred during AD 1870–1873, 1909–1914, 1927–1958 and 1997–2012, while the periods of AD 1874–1908, 1915–1926 and 1959–1996 were relatively cold. Spatial climate correlation analyses with gridded land surface data revealed that our temperature reconstruction contains a strong regional temperature signal for central China. The linkages of ourtemperature reconstruction with sea surface temperature in the Atlantic and Pacific oceans suggest the connection of regional temperature variations to large-scale ocean–atmosphere–land circulation. Preliminary analysis of links between large-scale climatic variation and the temperature reconstruction also shows that there is a relationship between extremes in spring and early summer temperature and anomalous atmospheric circulation in the Qinling Mountains. Overall, our study provides reliable information for the research of past temperature variability in the Qinling Mountains, China.

A 602-year Reconstruction of July-June Streamflow in the Kuqa River, China, Reveals the Changing Hydrological Signals of the Tarim Basin

A regional tree-ring width chronology of Schrenk spruce(Picea schrenkiana) was used to determine the annual(previous July to current June) streamflow of the Kuqa River in Xinjiang, China, for the period of 1414–2015. A linear transformation of the tree-ring data accounted for 63.9% of the total variance when regressed against instrumental streamflow during 1957–2006. The model was validated by comparing the regression estimates against independent data. High streamflow periods with a streamflow above the 602-year mean occurred from 1430–1442, 1466–1492, 1557–1586, 1603–1615, 1687–1717, 1748–1767, 1795–1819, 1834–1856, 1888–1910 and 1989–2015. Low streamflow periods(streamflow below the mean) occurred from 1419–1429, 1443–1465, 1493–1556, 1587–1602, 1616–1686, 1720–1747, 1768–1794, 1820–1833, 1857–1887 and 1911–1988. The reconstruction compares well with the tree-ring-based streamflow series of the Tizinafu River from the Kunlun Mountains;both show well-known severe drought events. The streamflow reconstruction also shows highly synchronous upward trends since the 1980 s, suggesting that streamflow is related to Central Asian warming and humidification. Thus, the influences of the extremes and the persistence of low streamflows on local society may be considerable. Climatic changes in the watershed may be responsible for the change in the hydrologic regime of the Tarim Basin observed during the late twentieth century.

Vertical distribution characteristics of dust aerosol mass concentration in the Taklimakan Desert hinterland

The different height mass concentrations of dust aerosol data from the atmosphere environment observation station （Ta- zhong Station） was continuously observed by instruments of Grimm 1.108, Thermo RP 1400a and TSP from January of 2009 to February of 2010 in the Taklimakan Desert hinterland. Results show that： （1） The mass concentration value of 80 m PMl0 was higher, but PM2.5 and PM1.0 concentrations at 80 m was obviously lower than 4 m PMl0, and the value of 80 m PM1.0 mass concentration was the lowest. （2） The PM mass concentrations gradually decreased from night to sunrise, with the lowest concentration at 08：00, with the mass concentration gradually increased, up to the highest concentration around 18：00, and then decreased again. It was exactly the same with the changes of wind speed. （3） The high monthly average mass concentration of TSP mainly appeared from March to September, and the highest concentration was in April and May, subsequently gradually decreased. Also, March-September was a period with high value area of PM monthly average mass concentration, with the highest monthly average mass concentration of 846.0 p.g/m3 for 4 m PM^0 appeared in May. The concentration of PM10 was much higher than those of PM2.5 and PM1.0 at 80 m. There is a small difference between the concentration of PM2.5 and PM~ 0. Dust weather was the main factor which influenced the concentration content of the different diameter dust aerosol, and the more dust weather days, the higher content of coarse particle, conversely, fine particle was more. （4） The mass concentration of different diameter aerosols had the following sequence during dust weather： clear day 〈 blowing dust 〈 floating and blowing dust 〈 sandstorm. In different dust weather, the value of PM^o/TSP in fine weather was higher than that in floating weather, and much higher than those in blowing dust and sandstorm weather. （5） During the dust weather process, dust aerosol concentration gradually decreased with particle size decreasing. The dust aerosol mass concentration at different heights and diameter would have a peak value area every 3-4 days according to the strengthening process of dust weather.

Analysis on the temporal-spatial distribution character and effect factors of PM10 in the hinterland of Taklimakan Desert and surrounding area

In recent years, the physical and chemical properties of dust aerosols from the dust source area in northem China have attracted increased attention. In this paper, Thermo RP 1400a was used for online continuous observation and study of the hinterland of Taldimakan, Tazhong, and surrounding areas of Kurnul and Hotan from 2004 to 2006. In combination with weather analysis during a sandstorm in the Tazhong area, basic characteristics and influencing factors of dust aerosol PMl0 have been summarized as below： （1） The occurrence days of floating dust and blowing dust appeared with an increasing trend in Kumul, Tazhong and Hotan, while the number of dust storm days did not significantly change. The frequency and intensity of dust weather were major factors affecting the concentration of dust aerosol PMI0 in the desert. （2） The mass concentration of PM10 had significant regional distribution characteris- tics, and the mass concentration at the eastern edge of Taklimakan, Kumul, was the lowest; second was the southern edge of the desert, Hotan; and the highest was in the hinterland of the desert, Tazhong. （3） High values of PM10 mass concentration in Kumul was from March to September each year; high values of PM^0 mass concentration in Tazhong and Hotan were distributed from March to August and the average concenlration changed from 500 to 1,000 gg/m3, respectively. （4） The average seasonal concentration changes of PM10 in Kumul, Tazhong and Hotan were： spring 〉 summer 〉 autumn 〉 winter; the highest average concentration of PMl0in Tazhong, was about 1,000 gg/m3 in spring and between 400 and 900 gg/m3 in summer, and the average concentration was lower in autumn and winter, basically between 200 and 400 gg/m3. （5） PMl0 concentration during the sandstorm season was just over two times the con- centration of the non-sandstorm season in Kumul, Tazhong and Hotan. The average concentrations of sandstorm season in Tazhong were 6.2 and 3.6 times the average concentrations of non-sandstorm season in 2004 and 2008, respectively. （6） The mass concentra- tion of PM10 had the following sequence during the dust weather： clear day 〈 floating dust 〈 floating and blowing dust 〈 sandstorm. The wind speed directly affects the concentration of PM10 in the atmosphere, the higher the wind speed, the higher the mass concen- tration. Temperature, relative humidity and bammelric pressure are important factors affecting the strength of storms, which could also indirectly affect the concentration change of PM~ 0 in the atmosphere.

The spatial and temporal distribution and characteristics of inorganic ion concentrations of TSP in the Tarim Basin

Based on Total Suspended Particulates （TSP） observations of Tazhong, Tikanli, Kashi and Minfeng in 2009, combined wa- ter-soluble inorganic ion analyses, this paper studied the spatial and temporal distribution of TSP in the Tarim Basin and analyzed concentration characteristics. The results are as follows： （1） monthly average TSP concentrations shows a similar trend in Tazhong, Tikanli, Kashi and Minfeng with peak values in April-May and low values in November-December. As for the quarter average mass concentration trends, spring has the highest value, followed by summer and autumn, and winter is the lowest; （2） total annual concentration trend of water-soluble inorganic ions in TSP is as follows： Tazhong 〉 Tikanli 〉 Minfeng 〉 Kashi. SO4^2- concentra- tions are 58%, 50%, 54% and 51% of total ion concentration; Ca^2＋ concentrations are 13%, 16%, 16% and 11%; Na^＋ concentra- tions are 12%, 13%, 10% and 12% and Cl^- concentrations are 12%, 16%, 11% and 22%, respectively. Therefore, sulfate, calcium, sodium and chloride ions are the main inorganic components of TSP in the Tarim Basin; （3） the correlation coefficients of anions and cations in Tikanli, Minfeng, Kashi and Tazhong are 0.99, 0.99, 0.25 and 0.91, respectively; the average anion concentrations are 2.57, 2.12, 2.15 and 3.02 times the average cation concentrations, indicating that ions were unbalanced; （4） SO4^2-/NO3^- ratio is much larger than the ratio of coal-fired emissions SO4^2-/NO3^-, thus the impact of fixed emission sources in the four regions on the atmosphere is far greater than that of mobile emission sources.

The variation characteristics and effect factors of surface ozone concentration in the Taklimakan Desert hinterland

Based on automatic continuous surface ozone concentration observation data from June 10, 2010 to March 20, 2012 in the Taklimakan Desert hinterland, combined with corresponding meteorological data, the temporal, seasonal and daily variation characteristics of surface ozone concentrations under different weather conditions were analyzed. At the same time, the main fac- tors affecting ozone variation are discussed. Results show that： （1） Daily variation of ozone concentration was characterized by one obvious peak, with gentle changes during the night and dramatic changes during the day. The lowest concentration was at 09：00 and the highest was at 18：00. Compared to urban areas, there was a slight time delay. （2） Ozone concentration variation had a weekend effect phenomenon. Weekly variation of ozone concentration decreased from Monday to Wednesday with the lowest in Wednesday, and increased after Thursday with the highest in Sunday. （3） The highest monthly average concentration was 89.6 I.tg/m3 in June 2010, and the lowest was 32.0 ~g/m3 in January 2012. Ozone concentration reduced month by month from June to December in 2010. （4） Ozone concentration in spring and summer was higher than in autumn and winter. The variation trend agreed with those in other large and medium-sized cities. （5） Under four different types of weather, daily ozone concentration var- ied most dramatically in sunny days, followed by slight variation in rain days, and varied gently in cloudy days. Ozone concentra- tion varied inconspicuously before a sandstorm appearance, and dropped rapidly at the onset of a sandstorm. （6） Daily variation of radiation was also characterized by a single peak, and the variation was significantly earlier than ozone concentration variation. Sun radiation intensity had a direct influence on the photochemical reaction speed, leading to variation of ozone concentration. （7） Daily average ozone concentration in dust weather was higher than in slight rain and clear days. The variation of near surface ozone concentration could also be affected by meteorological factors such as relative humidity, wind speed, wind direction and sunshine hours. Thus, numerous factors working together led to ozone pollution.