| Research Articles |
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| Observation of saltation activity at Tazhong area in Taklimakan Desert, China |
| XingHua YANG1,2, Ali MAMTIMIN1,2, Qing HE1,2, XinChun LIU1,2, Wen HUO1,2 |
1 Institute of Desert Meteorology, China Meteorological Administration, Urumqi 830002, China;
2 Desert Atmosphere and Environment Observation Experiment of Taklimakan Station, Tazhong 841000, China |
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Abstract A two-year field observation of saltation activity was carried out at Tazhong area, the hinterland area of the Taklimakan Desert with highly frequent dust storms. From 1 September 2008 to 31 August 2010, a piezoelectric saltation sensor (Sensit) was used to continuously collect the data on saltation activity at a level sand surface. Analysis on the data suggests that saltation activity can occur at any time of the year when conditions are favorable; however, the necessary conditions are rarely satisfied in most time. In the daytime of spring or summer, saltation activity can persist even over a continuous one-hour-or-so period. It is found that, from 1 September 2008 to 31 August 2010, saltation activity accounts for more than 3% of the total yearly time, and it tends to peak in spring and summer months with strong winds. During winter months when winds are weak, however, it is often at a minimum. It seems that precipitation does not appear to be significant in reducing saltation activity in arid regions like Tazhong.
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Received: 10 March 2012
Published: 06 March 2013
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| Fund: The National Natural Science Foundation of China (41175017, 41175140) and the R & D Special Fund for Public Welfare Industry (meteorology) (GYHY2010¬06012, GYHY201106025). |
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Corresponding Authors:
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