Effects of Extreme Dust Storm in Agricultural Areas (Poland, the Greater Lowland)

Marcin Hojan,Mirosław Rurek,Mirosław Więcław,Adam Krupa

doi:10.3390/geosciences9030106

Abstract

The article aims to present extreme aeolian processes observed in April 2011 in the fields of the Szamocin municipality in Pojezierze Wielkopolskie (the Great Poland Lakeland). Aeolian erosion of cropland was fostered by strong wind with gusts exceeding 15 m·s−1. The erosion was related to the movement of a deep barometric low from the Norwegian Sea over western Russia (Joachim barometric low). Geomorphological mapping of accumulated sandy aeolian covers was conducted. Morphometric measurements of aeolian covers were made considering their spatial distribution and the thickness of sediments that build them. Samples were collected from sediments to analyze grain size and the volume of deposited sediments was calculated. According to grain size analysis the accumulated fine-grained mineral material was well, moderately well and moderately sorted. The thickness of aeolian covers exceeded the thickness of covers presented in Polish literature so far. Calculations of the total volume of mineral sediment derived from small areas covered with aeolian erosion (a few hectares each) indicate significantly greater volumes than those provided in publications from other research areas in Poland. The described dust storms did not cause much damage in Poland. At the same time (8 April) in northern Germany, a dust storm led to a severe collision on the A19 highway. Eight people died in car accidents and dozens suffered serious injuries.

Highlights

Aeolian processes are of global significance and their effects can be observed in many places throughout the world
The results obtained during field tests and laboratory tests indicate that a dust storm caused the blowing of a large quantity of sand on small deflative areas
Extreme aeolian processes occurred in fields of various sizes (Table 2)

Summary

Introduction

Aeolian processes are of global significance and their effects can be observed in many places throughout the world. The term ‘sandstorm’ usually stands for desert areas such as the Sahara or places where sand is the main mineral component of soils. The term ‘dust storm’ is used when finer fractions (dusts) are transferred over long distances; they have a negative impact on urban areas [1]. In connection with the variety of areas susceptible to aeolian erosion, analyses of climatic factors are conducted both on the northern and southern hemisphere [2]. Dusts blown away from Iceland are transported over Continental Europe. The number of dust transport incidents depends on climatic circulation, and Iceland’s geological structure and volcanic activity foster these phenomena [3,4]

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