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Journal of Desert Research ›› 2025, Vol. 45 ›› Issue (1): 304-317.DOI: 10.7522/j.issn.1000-694X.2024.00188

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The spatial variations of sand drift potential in Yarlung Zangbo River Basin

Lingguang Zhang1(), Caisheng Shen1,2, Yanli Huang3, Zaduo4, Lazhen5, Yan Zhang6, Zhengcai Zhang1()   

  1. 1.Key Laboratory of Qian Xuesen Deserticulture of Shaanxi Higher Education Institute,School of Geography and Tourism,Shaanxi Normal University,Xi'an 710119,China
    2.Policy Research Office of the CPC Xizang Autonomous Region Committee,Lhasa 850000,China
    3.Xizang?Meteorological?Administration,Lhasa 850005,China
    4.Shannan Meteorological Bureau,Shannan 856000,Xizang,China
    5.Xizang Climate Center,Lhasa 850000,China
    6.Institute of Atmospheric Physics,Chinese Academy of Science,Beijing 100029,China
  • Received:2024-11-27 Revised:2024-12-30 Online:2025-01-20 Published:2025-01-13
  • Contact: Zhengcai Zhang

Abstract:

Wind is the power for the aeolian hazards formation. The Yarlung Zangbo River Basin is one of the serious aeolian hazard regions in the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau. However, there was few studies about the spatial-temporal variations of wind regime in this basin, which limited the comprehension and cognition of the features of aeolian transportation, the combats of aeolian hazards, and the occurrences and processes of dusty weather. We selected 39 meteorological stations along the river and analyzed the wind velocities and directions in 2022. Drift potential was calculated to evaluate the intensity of aeolian activities. The results showed that: (1) Drift potential in the upper reaches was the highest (418.2±149.2 VU), second was the lower reaches (197.8±68.9 VU), and the middle reaches least (94.1±22.1 VU). Zhongba, Yagra (upper reaches) and Qusum (middle reaches) belonged to the high wind energy environment. 9 stations, including Changguo, Dinggyê, and Tumba (middle reaches) belonged to the medium wind energy environment. The other stations belonged to the low wind energy environment. Drift potential had no significant difference among spring, summer, autumn, and winter (P>0.05), which means the power conditions for aeolian hazards exist in the whole year. (2) Annual resultant drift direction in the upper and middle reaches was primary from ENE (50% and 22%), and from SW in the lower reaches (50%). (3) Seasonal drift potential displayed that there was no significant difference among different seasons in the upper and lower reaches, but the middle reaches were opposite. In summer, resultant drift directions in the middle reaches were between WSW and NNW (44%), while other seasons were between N and E (38%-55%). (4) According to the resultant drift directions, the dust transportation directions in the Yarlung Zangbo River Basin were mainly NE and ENE, which were consistent with the spatial position of dunes. Based on the research of drift potential, the wide valley, floodplain, and central island in the river exposed in the high wind energy environment need to be paid more attention to prevent the aeolian hazards in Yarlung Zangbo River.

Key words: Yarlung Zangbo River Basin, drift potential, spatial distribution

CLC Number: