Abstract
Abstract. A severe dust storm event originated from the Gobi Desert in Central and East Asia during 2–7 May 2017. Based on Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) satellite products, hourly environmental monitoring measurements from Chinese cities and East Asian meteorological observation stations, and numerical simulations, we analysed the spatial and temporal characteristics of this dust event as well as its associated impact on the Asia-Pacific region. The maximum observed hourly PM10 (particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter ≤ 10 µm) concentration was above 1000 µg m−3 in Beijing, Tianjin, Shijiazhuang, Baoding, and Langfang and above 2000 µg m−3 in Erdos, Hohhot, Baotou, and Alxa in northern China. This dust event affected over 8.35 million km2, or 87 % of the Chinese mainland, and significantly deteriorated air quality in 316 cities of the 367 cities examined across China. The maximum surface wind speed during the dust storm was 23–24 m s−1 in the Mongolian Gobi Desert and 20–22 m s−1 in central Inner Mongolia, indicating the potential source regions of this dust event. Lidar-derived vertical dust profiles in Beijing, Seoul, and Tokyo indicated dust aerosols were uplifted to an altitude of 1.5–3.5 km, whereas simulations by the Weather Research and Forecasting with Chemistry (WRF-Chem) model indicated 20.4 and 5.3 Tg of aeolian dust being deposited respectively across continental Asia and the North Pacific Ocean. According to forward trajectory analysis by the FLEXible PARTicle dispersion (FLEXPART) model, the East Asian dust plume moved across the North Pacific within a week. Dust concentrations decreased from the East Asian continent across the Pacific Ocean from a magnitude of 103 to 10−5 µg m−3, while dust deposition intensity ranged from 104 to 10−1 mg m−2. This dust event was unusual due to its impact on continental China, the Korean Peninsula, Japan, and the North Pacific Ocean. Asian dust storms such as those observed in early May 2017 may lead to wider climate forcing on a global scale.
Highlights
A major dust storm arose and swept over East Asia on 2– 7 May 2017
The dust storm originated in the Mongolian Gobi Desert, the Hexi Corridor, and the Taklimakan Desert on 2 May 2017
The maximum observed hourly PM10 concentration was above 1000 μg m−3 in Beijing, Tianjin, Shijiazhuang, Baoding, Langfang, Xi’an, and Lanzhou, and above 2000 μg m−3 in Erdos, Hohhot, Baotou, Alxa, Shizuishan, Yan’an, Changchun, and Jilin
Summary
A major dust storm arose and swept over East Asia on 2– 7 May 2017. This dust storm originated from the deserts of Central and East Asia, namely the Mongolian Gobi Desert, the Taklimakan Desert, the Hexi Corridor, and the Alxa Desert Visibility was reduced to < 100 m as a result of dense dust near Guaizihu (41.37◦ N, 102.37◦ E) on the north edge of the Badain Jaran Desert and Turpan (42.83◦ N, 89.25◦ E) on the north edge of the Taklimakan Desert. Maximum surface wind speed reached 24 m s−1 in the Mongolian Gobi Desert (43.1◦ N, 109.2◦ E) and air qual-. Zhang et al.: East Asian dust storm in May 2017
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
