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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Pullman, Washington » Northwest Sustainable Agroecosystems Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #330610
Title: Modeling of dust deposition in central Asia

Author
item ZHANG, XIAOXIAO - Chinese Academy Of Agricultural Sciences
item CHEN, XI - Chinese Academy Of Agricultural Sciences
item Sharratt, Brenton

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 9/1/2016
Publication Date: 9/19/2016
Citation: Zhang, X., Chen, X., Sharratt, B.S. 2016. Modeling of dust deposition in central Asia. Meeting Abstract. CAS-TWAS-WMO Forum on Climate Science. p. 13.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: The deposition of dust particles has a significant influence on the global bio-geochemical cycle. Currently, the lack of spatiotemporal data creates great uncertainty in estimating the global dust budget. To improve our understanding of the fate, transport and cycling of airborne dust, there is a need for long-term records of dust deposition and quantified validation. Located in the east part of central Asia, Xinjiang Province of northwestern China has long been an essential geographical bridge which connects the European and Asian continents. We used the WRF-Chem model to simulate dust deposition during the 21st century based on the environmental monitoring records of major cities in Xinjiang. We further analyzed the results to identify factors and uncertainties that influence dust deposition. Our results suggest that high dust deposition occurred in the central Asia arid region. The model performed well and captured spatial and temporal variations in dust deposition. The highest dust deposition was observed in Hotan, located in the southern Taklamakan Desert, with a range of 1000-1600 t km-2 a-1, which was in good agreement with modeling results. This work will strengthen our comprehension on aerosol transport and deposition modeling in the central Asian desertification region.