|
|
|
| Spatio-temporal Sand-dust Distribution in Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and Its Climatic Significance |
| HAN Yong-xiang1,2, XI Xiao-xia2, SONG Lian-chun1, YE Yan-hua1, LI Yao-hui1 |
1. Key Laboratory of Arid Climatic Changing and Reducing Disaster of Gansu Province, Institute of Arid Meteorology, China Meteorological Administration, Lanzhou 730020, China;
2. Key Laboratory of Western China Environment in Lanzhou University, Ministry of Education, Lanzhou 730000, China |
|
|
|
|
Abstract Based on the distribution of sand regions and the available observation data from 91 meteorological stations during 1961—2000, the spatio-temporal distribution characters of sandstorms in Qinghai-Tibet Plateauare discussed. The Qinghai-Tibet Plateau possesses all factors resulting in sand-dust storm. The widespread moving sand dune and desertified land in the plateau provide sufficient sand source, which combing with arid climate and prevailing wind induce that sand-dust storm occurred at high frequency. The center of sand-dust storm frequently taking place is in the Qiang-Tang Plateau, the annual days gradually decrease from Qiang-Tang to southeast. Monthly, from December to April the center moves northward from upriver valley of Brahmaputra to south of Qiang-Tang Plateau, to center of Qiang-Tang Plateau, and to south of Tarim Basin. Such seasonal shifting of the center is closely related with the position swing of westerly jet-stream. In addition, due to high altitude of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau fine particles in sandstorms may be easily raised up into the westerly jet-stream(500 hPa) and transported to remote North Pacific region. Therefore, the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau is one of the most effective sand-dust source regions of long-distance transportation; sand-dusts settled down in the North Pacific region may play a very important role in global climate change through strengthening the Biological Pump efficiency and possibly changing the atmospheric CO2concentration.
|
|
Received: 15 October 2003
Published: 20 October 2004
|
|
|
| No Suggested Reading articles found! |
|
|
Viewed |
|
|
|
Full text
|
|
|
|
|
Abstract
|
|
|
|
|
Cited |
|
|
|
|
| |
Shared |
|
|
|
|
| |
Discussed |
|
|
|
|
2004, Vol. 24 
