A Study on Dust Storm Pollution and Source Identification in Northwestern China
In April 2023, a major dust storm event in Lanzhou attracted widespread attention. This study provides a comprehensive analysis of the causes, progression, and dust sources of this event using multiple data sources and methods. Backward trajectory analysis using the HYSPLIT model was employed to tra...
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MDPI AG
2025-01-01
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| Series: | Toxics |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2305-6304/13/1/33 |
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| author | Hongfei Meng Feiteng Wang Guangzu Bai Huilin Li |
| author_facet | Hongfei Meng Feiteng Wang Guangzu Bai Huilin Li |
| author_sort | Hongfei Meng |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | In April 2023, a major dust storm event in Lanzhou attracted widespread attention. This study provides a comprehensive analysis of the causes, progression, and dust sources of this event using multiple data sources and methods. Backward trajectory analysis using the HYSPLIT model was employed to trace the origins of the dust, while FY-2H satellite data provided high-resolution dust distribution patterns. Additionally, the MAIAC AOD product was used to analyze Aerosol Optical Depth, and concentration-weighted trajectory (CWT) analysis was used to identify key dust source regions. The study found that PM<sub>10</sub> played a dominant role in the storm, and the AOD values during the storm in Lanzhou were significantly higher than the annual average, highlighting the severe impact on regional air quality. Key meteorological conditions influencing the storm’s occurrence were analyzed, including the formation and eastward movement of a high-potential ridge, convection driven by diurnal temperature variations, and surface temperature increases coupled with decreased relative humidity, which together promoted the generation and development of dust. Backward trajectory and dust distribution analyses revealed that the dust primarily originated from Central Asia, western Mongolia, Xinjiang, and Gansu. From the 19th to the 21st, the dust distribution showed similarities between day and night, with a noticeable increase in dust concentration from night to day due to strong vertical atmospheric mixing. To mitigate the impacts of future dust storms, this study highlights both short-term and long-term strategies, including enhanced monitoring systems, public health advisories, and vegetation restoration in key source regions. Strengthening regional and international cooperation for transboundary dust management is also emphasized as critical for sustainable mitigation efforts. These findings are significant for understanding and predicting the causes, characteristics, and environmental impacts of dust storms in Lanzhou and the Northwestern region. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-e4e5d70c367e43309f53c8e7cb26284c |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2305-6304 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
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| series | Toxics |
| spelling | doaj-art-e4e5d70c367e43309f53c8e7cb26284c2025-01-24T13:51:00ZengMDPI AGToxics2305-63042025-01-011313310.3390/toxics13010033A Study on Dust Storm Pollution and Source Identification in Northwestern ChinaHongfei Meng0Feiteng Wang1Guangzu Bai2Huilin Li3Key Laboratory of Cryospheric Science and Frozen Soil Engineering, Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou 730000, ChinaKey Laboratory of Cryospheric Science and Frozen Soil Engineering, Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou 730000, ChinaKey Laboratory of Ecological Safety and Sustainable Development in Arid Lands, Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou 730000, ChinaKey Laboratory of Cryospheric Science and Frozen Soil Engineering, Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou 730000, ChinaIn April 2023, a major dust storm event in Lanzhou attracted widespread attention. This study provides a comprehensive analysis of the causes, progression, and dust sources of this event using multiple data sources and methods. Backward trajectory analysis using the HYSPLIT model was employed to trace the origins of the dust, while FY-2H satellite data provided high-resolution dust distribution patterns. Additionally, the MAIAC AOD product was used to analyze Aerosol Optical Depth, and concentration-weighted trajectory (CWT) analysis was used to identify key dust source regions. The study found that PM<sub>10</sub> played a dominant role in the storm, and the AOD values during the storm in Lanzhou were significantly higher than the annual average, highlighting the severe impact on regional air quality. Key meteorological conditions influencing the storm’s occurrence were analyzed, including the formation and eastward movement of a high-potential ridge, convection driven by diurnal temperature variations, and surface temperature increases coupled with decreased relative humidity, which together promoted the generation and development of dust. Backward trajectory and dust distribution analyses revealed that the dust primarily originated from Central Asia, western Mongolia, Xinjiang, and Gansu. From the 19th to the 21st, the dust distribution showed similarities between day and night, with a noticeable increase in dust concentration from night to day due to strong vertical atmospheric mixing. To mitigate the impacts of future dust storms, this study highlights both short-term and long-term strategies, including enhanced monitoring systems, public health advisories, and vegetation restoration in key source regions. Strengthening regional and international cooperation for transboundary dust management is also emphasized as critical for sustainable mitigation efforts. These findings are significant for understanding and predicting the causes, characteristics, and environmental impacts of dust storms in Lanzhou and the Northwestern region.https://www.mdpi.com/2305-6304/13/1/33Northwestern China arid regiondust stormaerosol optical depthtransport pathwaydust source regiondust storm impact and mitigation |
| spellingShingle | Hongfei Meng Feiteng Wang Guangzu Bai Huilin Li A Study on Dust Storm Pollution and Source Identification in Northwestern China Toxics Northwestern China arid region dust storm aerosol optical depth transport pathway dust source region dust storm impact and mitigation |
| title | A Study on Dust Storm Pollution and Source Identification in Northwestern China |
| title_full | A Study on Dust Storm Pollution and Source Identification in Northwestern China |
| title_fullStr | A Study on Dust Storm Pollution and Source Identification in Northwestern China |
| title_full_unstemmed | A Study on Dust Storm Pollution and Source Identification in Northwestern China |
| title_short | A Study on Dust Storm Pollution and Source Identification in Northwestern China |
| title_sort | study on dust storm pollution and source identification in northwestern china |
| topic | Northwestern China arid region dust storm aerosol optical depth transport pathway dust source region dust storm impact and mitigation |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2305-6304/13/1/33 |
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