Relationship between air temperature and horizontal sand-dust flux observed in the Taklimakan Desert, China.

Over the hinterland of the Taklimakan Desert (TD), the diurnal and seasonal cycles of the air temperature (AT) and horizontal sand-dust flux (HSDF) were investigated, based on in situ data including sand saltation counts and meteorological parameters in the period 2008–2010. In particular, the relationship between AT and HSDF was determined. It was found that 74.7% of HSDF was observed between 10:00 and 20:00, and HSDF in spring and summer accounted for 92.3% of the annual flux. Further, the diurnal and annual cycles of HSDF and AT presented an exponential distribution, with correlation coefficients (R) of 0.97 and 0.93, respectively. Additionally, when AT was 0 °C or lower, the frequency of sand saltation was only 4.3%. The maximum sand saltation frequency was 70.1%, which occurred at 33–34 °C, while 67.6% of the total HSDF occurred at 24–34 °C. Finally, a Gauss equation was established over the TD: Q = 250.2 + 1368.5e−2 × [(T−30.8)/7.3]^2, with R = 0.90. Results revealed a strong correlation between HSDF and AT, indicating that AT should be noticeable in HSDF parameterization schemes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]