Dust transport characteristics in typical sandy lands of the middle reaches of the Yarlung Zangbo River

doi:10.7522/j.issn.1000-694X.2025.00297

Journal of Desert Research ›› 2026, Vol. 46 ›› Issue (3): 371-380.DOI: 10.7522/j.issn.1000-694X.2025.00297

Dust transport characteristics in typical sandy lands of the middle reaches of the Yarlung Zangbo River

Peixi Wu(), Yuanyuan Zhao(), Jiangbo Chen, Shuiming Yan, Guodong Ding

College of Soil and Water Conservation，Beijing Forestry University，Beijing 100083，China

Received:2025-10-22 Revised:2025-12-16 Online:2026-05-20 Published:2026-06-11
Contact: Yuanyuan Zhao

Abstract

Abstract:

This study aims to evaluate the impact of dune distribution and dust transport along the Yarlung Zangbo River （hereinafter referred to as the YZR） on important economic zones within the basin， providing a scientific basis for precise prevention and control of regional dust pollution. Focusing on typical dune areas in the middle reaches of the YZR， this research comprehensively utilized ground-level particulate matter monitoring， HYSPLIT and Meteoinfo backward trajectory simulations， and PSCF analysis of dust pollutant dispersion to systematically reveal the spatiotemporal characteristics of dust transport and its environmental impact range. The main findings include：（1）The total area of the core wind erosion zone in the Yarlung Zangbo River Valley amounts to 416.35 km²， including 11 km² of mobile sandy land， 32.42 km² of semi-fixed sandy land， and 39.67 km² of fixed sandy land. （2） Daily particulate matter concentrations showed a bimodal distribution， with the primary peak （17:00-22:00） and secondary peak （09:00-10:00） indicating periods of high dust activity， while air quality was better in the early morning and at noon； the daily range of PM10 reached 8.23 μg·m^-3， indicating high susceptibility to local wind disturbances； the daily ranges of PM2.5 and PM1 were 6.55 μg·m^-3 and 1.56 μg·m^-3， respectively， reflecting varying sensitivity to climatic conditions across different particle size scales. （3） Trajectory clustering analysis of a dust event in April 2024 revealed that NW （frequency 38.36%） and NNW （frequency 20.55%） were the key transport pathways， with the NNW pathway accounting for 48.21% of air masses and exhibiting the highest PM10 concentration （10.36 μg·m^-3）. （4） The PSCF model identified 13 villages at high risk of dust impact， including Lang Village， Apê Village， and Mainling Town， with Palungsha Village and Dapasha Village located in the core influence area of the NW pathway. Dust transport in the middle reaches of the YZR exhibits distinct directionality and temporal concentration， with specific villages along the river serving as key nodes for dust emission and transport， necessitating targeted prevention and control measures. This study provides theoretical support and spatial guidance for air quality management and ecological protection in the YZR economic belt.

Key words: Yarlung Zangbo River, dust source region, dust transport, Meteoinfo, particulate matter concentration

CLC Number:

Peixi Wu, Yuanyuan Zhao, Jiangbo Chen, Shuiming Yan, Guodong Ding. Dust transport characteristics in typical sandy lands of the middle reaches of the Yarlung Zangbo River[J]. Journal of Desert Research, 2026, 46(3): 371-380.

Figures/Tables 7

Fig.1 Schematic diagram of elevation and meteorological monitoring stations in the study area

Fig.2 Typical sandy land in the middle reaches of the Yarlung Zangbo River

Fig.3 Valley land classification and meteorological information monitoring in the middle reaches of the Yarlung Zangbo River

Fig.4 Daily average variation curve of particulate matter concentration （April 17-28， 2024）

Fig.5 Variation curve of average particulate matter concentration by time period

Fig.6 Dust transport pathways during the monitoring period at each study site

Fig.7 Potential source contribution function （pscf） and pollutant concentration dispersion at meteorological monitoring points

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Dust transport characteristics in typical sandy lands of the middle reaches of the Yarlung Zangbo River

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