Pub Date : 2025-03-16DOI: 10.1016/j.aeolia.2025.100970
Yan Liu , Jia Jia , Lai Zhao , Yixiao Zhang , Junhuai Yang , Zhenhao Zhu , Yijiao Fan , Ziwei Tao , Zhenyuan Yao
Dust deposited in high-altitude snow is often exceptionally well-preserved, making high-altitude snow deposits an excellent medium for studying dust fluxes. We investigated the magnetic characteristics of snow dust at high altitudes in the Tianshan Mountains and then determined its potential source areas. Our results indicated the following: 1) The magnetic mineralogy of snow dust at high altitudes in the Tianshan Mountains is mainly magnetite with a minor amount of hematite. 2) There is a significant pollution contribution to the high-altitude snow in the Tianshan Mountains, as well as a natural contribution from surface sediments in the Yili Basin. 3) Composite fingerprint factor analysis showed that the relative contribution of anthropogenic pollution to snow dust in the Tianshan Mountains is about 6–42 %. Our results also indicate that the dust release capacity of sedimentary environments in the Yili Basin can be ordered as: desert > fluvial sediments > loess > alluvial fan.
{"title":"Magnetic characteristics and source analysis of modern snow dust from the Tianshan Mountains","authors":"Yan Liu , Jia Jia , Lai Zhao , Yixiao Zhang , Junhuai Yang , Zhenhao Zhu , Yijiao Fan , Ziwei Tao , Zhenyuan Yao","doi":"10.1016/j.aeolia.2025.100970","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.aeolia.2025.100970","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Dust deposited in high-altitude snow is often exceptionally well-preserved, making high-altitude snow deposits an excellent medium for studying dust fluxes. We investigated the magnetic characteristics of snow dust at high altitudes in the Tianshan Mountains and then determined its potential source areas. Our results indicated the following: 1) The magnetic mineralogy of snow dust at high altitudes in the Tianshan Mountains is mainly magnetite with a minor amount of hematite. 2) There is a significant pollution contribution to the high-altitude snow in the Tianshan Mountains, as well as a natural contribution from surface sediments in the Yili Basin. 3) Composite fingerprint factor analysis showed that the relative contribution of anthropogenic pollution to snow dust in the Tianshan Mountains is about 6–42 %. Our results also indicate that the dust release capacity of sedimentary environments in the Yili Basin can be ordered as: desert > fluvial sediments > loess > alluvial fan.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49246,"journal":{"name":"Aeolian Research","volume":"73 ","pages":"Article 100970"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2025-03-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143629506","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-03-14DOI: 10.1016/j.aeolia.2025.100971
Ruifei Yu , Lidong Zhu , Ji Wang , Tianyang Wang , Zhenzhen Ma , Fengquan Li , Xiao Zhang , Guangqin Du
The loess-like Quaternary red clay (QRC) covers extensive areas in South China, making its genesis and provenance essential for interpreting this unique paleoclimate archive in subtropical regions. However, it remains unclear whether the loess-like QRC originates from local fluvial deposits, the Chinese Loess Plateau, or a mixture of both. This study investigates the provenance of the loess-like QRC in mid-subtropical China, focusing on the interaction between local and distant dust sources. To achieve this, we applied geochemical methods, including grain size analysis, mineralogy, provenance indicators, and quantitative analysis, to two loess-like QRC sections (JL and LHH). Our findings indicate that the silt fraction is more effective for provenance discrimination, necessitating caution when interpreting bulk samples. Notably, the LHH section shows a shift from a predominance of local dust at the bottom to a significantly higher contribution from distant dust at the top. This trend suggests that since around 0.44 Ma, the intensification of the East Asian Winter Monsoon (EAWM) has facilitated enhanced dust transport from Central Asia, shifting the provenance of red earth in mid-subtropical China and reinforcing the mixed-source origin of the loess-like QRC. Additionally, variations in heavy mineral content indicate weak silicate weathering and/or pedogenesis in the YBS and VYS layers, which also suggesting a dry and cold climate since 0.44 Ma. This research provides valuable insights into the sediment dynamics and climatic factors shaping the provenance of the loess-like QRC in subtropical regions.
{"title":"East Asian winter monsoon during the late quaternary shifted the provenance of red earth in mid-subtropical China","authors":"Ruifei Yu , Lidong Zhu , Ji Wang , Tianyang Wang , Zhenzhen Ma , Fengquan Li , Xiao Zhang , Guangqin Du","doi":"10.1016/j.aeolia.2025.100971","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.aeolia.2025.100971","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The loess-like Quaternary red clay (QRC) covers extensive areas in South China, making its genesis and provenance essential for interpreting this unique paleoclimate archive in subtropical regions. However, it remains unclear whether the loess-like QRC originates from local fluvial deposits, the Chinese Loess Plateau, or a mixture of both. This study investigates the provenance of the loess-like QRC in mid-subtropical China, focusing on the interaction between local and distant dust sources. To achieve this, we applied geochemical methods, including grain size analysis, mineralogy, provenance indicators, and quantitative analysis, to two loess-like QRC sections (JL and LHH). Our findings indicate that the silt fraction is more effective for provenance discrimination, necessitating caution when interpreting bulk samples. Notably, the LHH section shows a shift from a predominance of local dust at the bottom to a significantly higher contribution from distant dust at the top. This trend suggests that since around 0.44 Ma, the intensification of the East Asian Winter Monsoon (EAWM) has facilitated enhanced dust transport from Central Asia, shifting the provenance of red earth in mid-subtropical China and reinforcing the mixed-source origin of the loess-like QRC. Additionally, variations in heavy mineral content indicate weak silicate weathering and/or pedogenesis in the YBS and VYS layers, which also suggesting a dry and cold climate since 0.44 Ma. This research provides valuable insights into the sediment dynamics and climatic factors shaping the provenance of the loess-like QRC in subtropical regions.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49246,"journal":{"name":"Aeolian Research","volume":"73 ","pages":"Article 100971"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2025-03-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143627866","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-02-15DOI: 10.1016/j.aeolia.2025.100963
Giora J. Kidron , Abraham Starinsky , Joel Roskin
Aeolian-fluvial processes on Earth and Mars are drawing recent attention. Hypothesizing that water-induced horizontal layering (WIHL) may serve as an important tool for the reconstruction of the paleogeomorphology and climatology of wind-driven dunefields and sandstone, the properties of three types of WIHL are analyzed. WIHL may stem from floods, runoff or high water table, the distinction of which may be complicated. To study their unique properties and the factors responsible for their occurrence in an inland (Nizzana, Negev Desert) and coastal (Nizzanim; southern coast of Israel) dunefields, basic soil properties were analyzed: the electrical conductivity (EC), silt and clay, i.e., fines content (FC), calcium carbonate (CC), and organic carbon (OC). The findings show thin (commonly ≤ 5–6 cm-thick) disconnected FC- and CC– enriched horizontally-laid lenses within the upper soil profile of the sandy interdune, interpreted as runoff-induced sediments. Flat thick (0.5–1.0 m) and 40–60 m-diameter patches (playas) of fines-enriched sediments, scattered within the Nizzana interdunes, were interpreted as flood-induced sediments. Albic (bleached) horizons at 10–30 cm depth at the coast, which did not exhibit significant changes in FC and CC, were interpreted to result from alternating oxidation and redox sequences during occasionally high water table. The current data indicate that variability in the spatial distribution of FC, CC and OC may point to the origin and factors responsible for the occurrence of variable WIHL. This may assist geologists and sedimentologists to reconstruct high-resolution paleoenvironmental and climatological aeolian-fluvial conditions of coastal, inland and past geological sand bodies and sandstones.
{"title":"The geomorphic and palaeoenvironmental significance of water-induced horizontal layering in arid inland and coastal mediterranean interdunes","authors":"Giora J. Kidron , Abraham Starinsky , Joel Roskin","doi":"10.1016/j.aeolia.2025.100963","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.aeolia.2025.100963","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Aeolian-fluvial processes on Earth and Mars are drawing recent attention. Hypothesizing that water-induced horizontal layering (WIHL) may serve as an important tool for the reconstruction of the paleogeomorphology and climatology of wind-driven dunefields and sandstone, the properties of three types of WIHL are analyzed. WIHL may stem from floods, runoff or high water table, the distinction of which may be complicated. To study their unique properties and the factors responsible for their occurrence in an inland (Nizzana, Negev Desert) and coastal (Nizzanim; southern coast of Israel) dunefields, basic soil properties were analyzed: the electrical conductivity (EC), silt and clay, i.e., fines content (FC), calcium carbonate (CC), and organic carbon (OC). The findings show thin (commonly ≤ 5–6 cm-thick) disconnected FC- and CC– enriched horizontally-laid lenses within the upper soil profile of the sandy interdune, interpreted as runoff-induced sediments. Flat thick (0.5–1.0 m) and 40–60 m-diameter patches (playas) of fines-enriched sediments, scattered within the Nizzana interdunes, were interpreted as flood-induced sediments. Albic (bleached) horizons at 10–30 cm depth at the coast, which did not exhibit significant changes in FC and CC, were interpreted to result from alternating oxidation and redox sequences during occasionally high water table. The current data indicate that variability in the spatial distribution of FC, CC and OC may point to the origin and factors responsible for the occurrence of variable WIHL. This may assist geologists and sedimentologists to reconstruct high-resolution paleoenvironmental and climatological aeolian-fluvial conditions of coastal, inland and past geological sand bodies and sandstones.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49246,"journal":{"name":"Aeolian Research","volume":"72 ","pages":"Article 100963"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2025-02-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143420503","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-02-10DOI: 10.1016/j.aeolia.2025.100961
Faisal AlNasser , Abdelghani Chehbouni , Dara Entekhabi
This study presents an observational analysis of dust emission co-factors to high winds using remote sensing data across the North Africa and Western Asia dust belt. Co-factors are parameterized in climate and weather models. Observational evidence of their role and functional dependencies advance our capability to model and predict the important role of dust in radiative processes, far-field ecological nutrient transfers, and human health impacts. We use multiple years of high-temporal resolution (hourly) dust plume data, which enables analyses of emission sources, and plume extents. It also allows us to co-locate environmental factors such as wind speed, soil moisture, and vegetation and synchronize them with the time and location of major dust emission events. We focus on the combined effect of these factors in determining the frequency and intensity of dust storms, as well as identifying wind speed thresholds for dust emission at source areas. Key findings reveal wind speed thresholds twice as high as those reported in previous studies. We focus on two case studies to demonstrate the prominence of the co-factors. The case study of the Syrian Desert during the summer of 2022 illustrates the impact of dry soil, strong winds, and declining vegetation cover on the formation of severe dust storms. Additionally, the case study of the Bodélé Depression demonstrates the influence of reduced wind speed on emission frequency. The findings offer insights into how environmental conditions influence dust emission dynamics, establishing the basis for the development of more accurate dust emission models.
{"title":"Influences of soil moisture and vegetation cover on dust emission using satellite observations","authors":"Faisal AlNasser , Abdelghani Chehbouni , Dara Entekhabi","doi":"10.1016/j.aeolia.2025.100961","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.aeolia.2025.100961","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study presents an observational analysis of dust emission co-factors to high winds using remote sensing data across the North Africa and Western Asia dust belt. Co-factors are parameterized in climate and weather models. Observational evidence of their role and functional dependencies advance our capability to model and predict the important role of dust in radiative processes, far-field ecological nutrient transfers, and human health impacts. We use multiple years of high-temporal resolution (hourly) dust plume data, which enables analyses of emission sources, and plume extents. It also allows us to co-locate environmental factors such as wind speed, soil moisture, and vegetation and synchronize them with the time and location of major dust emission events. We focus on the combined effect of these factors in determining the frequency and intensity of dust storms, as well as identifying wind speed thresholds for dust emission at source areas. Key findings reveal wind speed thresholds twice as high as those reported in previous studies. We focus on two case studies to demonstrate the prominence of the co-factors. The case study of the Syrian Desert during the summer of 2022 illustrates the impact of dry soil, strong winds, and declining vegetation cover on the formation of severe dust storms. Additionally, the case study of the Bodélé Depression demonstrates the influence of reduced wind speed on emission frequency. The findings offer insights into how environmental conditions influence dust emission dynamics, establishing the basis for the development of more accurate dust emission models.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49246,"journal":{"name":"Aeolian Research","volume":"72 ","pages":"Article 100961"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2025-02-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143376538","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-02-07DOI: 10.1016/j.aeolia.2025.100962
L.A. de Oro , F. Avecilla , M.S. Larroulet , R.N. Comas , M.J. Mendez
Wind erosion is a major soil degradation process in arid and semi-arid environments, like the semi-arid region of Argentina. Xerophytic Caldén forests in these areas, often experience natural summer fires which reduce vegetation cover and its protective effect on the soil. PM10 (particles with diameters < 10 µm) emission is part of the wind erosion process. In the Caldén forest, cyclically fires affect the physico-chemical properties of the soil, depending on surface temperatures. However, information on how these changes affect soil susceptibility to wind erosion and PM10 emission is limited. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of temperatures from 100 to 600 °C on Caldén forest soil with varying vegetation cover and its potential to emit PM10 (PE-PM10). Soil samples were collected from Grassland site (gramineous-herbaceous stratum without woody plants influence) and Forest site (shrubby and arboreal stratum). The study evaluated physical (texture, microaggregation, erodible fraction < 0.84 mm) and chemical (total organic carbon −TOC-) surface changes and PE-PM10 after exposure to different temperatures. In both sites, temperatures above 400 °C decreased TOC and altered physical properties by reducing clay and coarse sands content while increasing silt and fine sands content. Erodible fraction increased and the microaggregation decreased with rising temperature. PE-PM10 was correlated in a linear and positive way with temperature in both sites (p < 0.05), with highest emission at 600 °C. Grassland site showed higher emissions than Forest. These results suggested that higher temperatures reduced clay and TOC content, key to soil stability, leading to increased PM10 emissions as microaggregates break down.
{"title":"Potential PM10 emission from soil affected by different temperatures in a Caldén Forest of semiarid Pampas, Argentina","authors":"L.A. de Oro , F. Avecilla , M.S. Larroulet , R.N. Comas , M.J. Mendez","doi":"10.1016/j.aeolia.2025.100962","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.aeolia.2025.100962","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Wind erosion is a major soil degradation process in arid and semi-arid environments, like the semi-arid region of Argentina. Xerophytic Caldén forests in these areas, often experience natural summer fires which reduce vegetation cover and its protective effect on the soil. PM10 (particles with diameters < 10 µm) emission is part of the wind erosion process. In the Caldén forest, cyclically fires affect the physico-chemical properties of the soil, depending on surface temperatures. However, information on how these changes affect soil susceptibility to wind erosion and PM10 emission is limited. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of temperatures from 100 to 600 °C on Caldén forest soil with varying vegetation cover and its potential to emit PM10 (PE-PM10). Soil samples were collected from Grassland site (gramineous-herbaceous stratum without woody plants influence) and Forest site (shrubby and arboreal stratum). The study evaluated physical (texture, microaggregation, erodible fraction < 0.84 mm) and chemical (total organic carbon −TOC-) surface changes and PE-PM10 after exposure to different temperatures. In both sites, temperatures above 400 °C decreased TOC and altered physical properties by reducing clay and coarse sands content while increasing silt and fine sands content. Erodible fraction increased and the microaggregation decreased with rising temperature. PE-PM10 was correlated in a linear and positive way with temperature in both sites (p < 0.05), with highest emission at 600 °C. Grassland site showed higher emissions than Forest. These results suggested that higher temperatures reduced clay and TOC content, key to soil stability, leading to increased PM10 emissions as microaggregates break down.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49246,"journal":{"name":"Aeolian Research","volume":"72 ","pages":"Article 100962"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2025-02-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143298123","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-02-01DOI: 10.1016/j.aeolia.2025.100960
A.L. Cohen-Zada , R.C. Ewing , J. Radebaugh
Interdune areas and purported playa-type environments in Saturn’s moon Titan’s dune fields show substantial spatial variability in radar backscatter expression. Using examples from Death Valley, the Middle East, and northern China, this work evaluates terrestrial causes of spatial backscatter heterogeneity in similar aeolian environments. It introduces the importance of temporal change detection in interdune area backscatter expression. Using optical images, time-series radar synthetic aperture radar images, and coordinated meteorological and river discharge data (where available), backscatter variations are related to spatially changing sedimentary environments within sediment-limited areas, i.e., interdune and playas, and temporally changing surface or near-surface moisture conditions. In terrestrial environments, backscatter expression varies over seasonal and annual timescales as a function of the cumulative history of surface change, primarily driven by changes in surface and near-surface moisture from either precipitation or groundwater table rise and fall. On Titan, evidence for equatorial methane flow channels suggests that arid-climate surfaces may undergo temporal evolutions like those observed on Earth. Fluid flow and evaporite formation play crucial roles in the existence and alteration of patterns in Earth’s interdunes. By analogy, these mechanisms are also expected to be at work on Titan. Despite differences between terrestrial and Titan radar observations, considering surface dynamics and evolution over time on Titan may be critical for analyzing its arid, equatorial environments.
{"title":"Fluid-driven surface change in sediment-limited interdune environments and relevance to Titan","authors":"A.L. Cohen-Zada , R.C. Ewing , J. Radebaugh","doi":"10.1016/j.aeolia.2025.100960","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.aeolia.2025.100960","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Interdune areas and purported playa-type environments in Saturn’s moon Titan’s dune fields show substantial spatial variability in radar backscatter expression. Using examples from Death Valley, the Middle East, and northern China, this work evaluates terrestrial causes of spatial backscatter heterogeneity in similar aeolian environments. It introduces the importance of temporal change detection in interdune area backscatter expression. Using optical images, time-series radar synthetic aperture radar images, and coordinated meteorological and river discharge data (where available), backscatter variations are related to spatially changing sedimentary environments within sediment-limited areas, i.e., interdune and playas, and temporally changing surface or near-surface moisture conditions. In terrestrial environments, backscatter expression varies over seasonal and annual timescales as a function of the cumulative history of surface change, primarily driven by changes in surface and near-surface moisture from either precipitation or groundwater table rise and fall. On Titan, evidence for equatorial methane flow channels suggests that arid-climate surfaces may undergo temporal evolutions like those observed on Earth. Fluid flow and evaporite formation play crucial roles in the existence and alteration of patterns in Earth’s interdunes. By analogy, these mechanisms are also expected to be at work on Titan. Despite differences between terrestrial and Titan radar observations, considering surface dynamics and evolution over time on Titan may be critical for analyzing its arid, equatorial environments.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49246,"journal":{"name":"Aeolian Research","volume":"72 ","pages":"Article 100960"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2025-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143181411","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-01-09DOI: 10.1016/j.aeolia.2024.100959
Robert McSweeney, Ingrid Luffman, Arpita Nandi
This study evaluates aeolian processes as significant but overlooked factors in runoff-driven gully erosion in humid subtropical climates. A network of 105 erosion pins installed in gully channels, interfluves, and sidewalls on an eroding hillslope in southern Appalachia was monitored weekly (2012–2018); concurrently, meteorological data were collected on site every 5 min. Wind variables were aggregated to weekly periods and statistical analyses (correlation, autocorrelation, Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) regression) were performed to (i) determine impacts of wind and wind-driven rain on gully erosion, (ii) assess seasonal gully erosion patterns relative to wind and wind-driven rain, and (iii) evaluate slope aspect effects on erosion of gully sidewalls. Annual OLS regression models for gully erosion using wind variables had low explanatory power (adjusted R2 = 0.067 (channels) to 0.197 (sidewalls)). The greatest gully erosion activity occurred in winter and spring aligning with periods of highest wind speeds; seasonal erosion and wind patterns were confirmed with autocorrelation. Seasonal OLS regression models had higher explanatory power (adjusted R2 = 0.044 to 0.367), with strongest models in autumn, suggesting seasonal importance of wind-related drivers for gully erosion. Southwesterly prevailing wind direction was normal to the gully axis, suggesting influence of slope aspect; higher erosion rates were recorded in the windward sidewalls but differences were statistically insignificant. Though rainfall and freeze–thaw activity are primary drivers of gully erosion in southern Appalachia, this analysis confirms that seasonal aeolian processes are significant contributors. These results may be used to improve standard predictive models of gully erosion in humid subtropical climates.
{"title":"Aeolian influences on gully erosion in clay-rich soils in a humid subtropical climate, Southeast USA","authors":"Robert McSweeney, Ingrid Luffman, Arpita Nandi","doi":"10.1016/j.aeolia.2024.100959","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.aeolia.2024.100959","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study evaluates aeolian processes as significant but overlooked factors in runoff-driven gully erosion in humid subtropical climates. A network of 105 erosion pins installed in gully channels, interfluves, and sidewalls on an eroding hillslope in southern Appalachia was monitored weekly (2012–2018); concurrently, meteorological data were collected on site every 5 min. Wind variables were aggregated to weekly periods and statistical analyses (correlation, autocorrelation, Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) regression) were performed to (i) determine impacts of wind and wind-driven rain on gully erosion, (ii) assess seasonal gully erosion patterns relative to wind and wind-driven rain, and (iii) evaluate slope aspect effects on erosion of gully sidewalls. Annual OLS regression models for gully erosion using wind variables had low explanatory power (adjusted R<sup>2</sup> = 0.067 (channels) to 0.197 (sidewalls)). The greatest gully erosion activity occurred in winter and spring aligning with periods of highest wind speeds; seasonal erosion and wind patterns were confirmed with autocorrelation. Seasonal OLS regression models had higher explanatory power (adjusted R<sup>2</sup> = 0.044 to 0.367), with strongest models in autumn, suggesting seasonal importance of wind-related drivers for gully erosion. Southwesterly prevailing wind direction was normal to the gully axis, suggesting influence of slope aspect; higher erosion rates were recorded in the windward sidewalls but differences were statistically insignificant. Though rainfall and freeze–thaw activity are primary drivers of gully erosion in southern Appalachia, this analysis confirms that seasonal aeolian processes are significant contributors. These results may be used to improve standard predictive models of gully erosion in humid subtropical climates.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49246,"journal":{"name":"Aeolian Research","volume":"72 ","pages":"Article 100959"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2025-01-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143181348","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-12-21DOI: 10.1016/j.aeolia.2024.100958
Ronald S. Treminio , Nicholas P. Webb , Saroj Dhital , Akasha Faist , Beth Newingham , Colby Brungard , David DuBois , Brandon L. Edwards , Emily Kachergis
The Great Basin is at risk of increased wind erosion and dust emissions due to grazing pressure, urbanization, wildfire, and non-native plant invasion. Recent efforts to quantify wind erosion risk on Great Basin rangelands identified high to extreme wind erosion and dust emission hotspots. However, the spatial extent and seasonal variability of dust transport pathways from the Great Basin, and thus the local and regional dust impacts, are not well understood. Here, we computed forward air-parcel trajectories using the Hybrid Single-Particle Lagrangian Integrated Trajectory model using the North American Regional Reanalysis 32-km meteorological data and kernel density analysis to describe potential seasonal dust transport pathways associated with three Great Basin wind erosion hotspots. Probability mass-densities for six different heights above ground level (AGL) were estimated to describe the spatial and vertical extent of potential dust transport across North America. A large proportion of trajectories occurred within 0 – 500 m AGL in spring (25.9 % − 32.7 %), fall (33.6 % − 35.1 %), and winter (44.1 % − 53.8 %). The proportion of trajectories at 2000 – 5000 m AGL is highest in summer (32.1 % − 39.8 %) and spring (23.0 % − 23.3 %). Thus, long range west-to-east transport of dust over North America is likeliest in summer. However, local redistribution of dust near hotspots, is more likely in spring, fall, and winter. This study helps to link potential dust transport pathways to wind erosion hotspots for mitigating the local and regional impacts of dust emissions, informing rangeland management strategies, and improving air quality assessments across North America.
{"title":"Dust transport pathways from The Great Basin","authors":"Ronald S. Treminio , Nicholas P. Webb , Saroj Dhital , Akasha Faist , Beth Newingham , Colby Brungard , David DuBois , Brandon L. Edwards , Emily Kachergis","doi":"10.1016/j.aeolia.2024.100958","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.aeolia.2024.100958","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The Great Basin is at risk of increased wind erosion and dust emissions due to grazing pressure, urbanization, wildfire, and non-native plant invasion. Recent efforts to quantify wind erosion risk on Great Basin rangelands identified high to extreme wind erosion and dust emission hotspots. However, the spatial extent and seasonal variability of dust transport pathways from the Great Basin, and thus the local and regional dust impacts, are not well understood. Here, we computed forward air-parcel trajectories using the Hybrid Single-Particle Lagrangian Integrated Trajectory model using the North American Regional Reanalysis 32-km meteorological data and kernel density analysis to describe potential seasonal dust transport pathways associated with three Great Basin wind erosion hotspots. Probability mass-densities for six different heights above ground level (AGL) were estimated to describe the spatial and vertical extent of potential dust transport across North America. A large proportion of trajectories occurred within 0 – 500 m AGL in spring (25.9 % − 32.7 %), fall (33.6 % − 35.1 %), and winter (44.1 % − 53.8 %). The proportion of trajectories at 2000 – 5000 m AGL is highest in summer (32.1 % − 39.8 %) and spring (23.0 % − 23.3 %). Thus, long range west-to-east transport of dust over North America is likeliest in summer. However, local redistribution of dust near hotspots, is more likely in spring, fall, and winter. This study helps to link potential dust transport pathways to wind erosion hotspots for mitigating the local and regional impacts of dust emissions, informing rangeland management strategies, and improving air quality assessments across North America.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49246,"journal":{"name":"Aeolian Research","volume":"72 ","pages":"Article 100958"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2024-12-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143181443","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-12-19DOI: 10.1016/j.aeolia.2024.100957
Phillip P. Schmutz , Tynon Briggs , Samantha Seals
Recent research has increasingly focused on the intricate relationship between wind dynamics and sediment transport in coastal settings, particularly how surface features affect aeolian transport processes. Non-erodible roughness elements such as gravel or shell deposits play a significant role by altering wind flow and raising the wind velocity threshold required to mobilize sediment. Despite advancements in modeling, fully understanding sediment transport dynamics remains challenging due to the complex interactions between surface features and wind dynamics. This study explores the influence of non-erodible lag surfaces on sediment transport in sandy barrier island environments. Fieldwork on Santa Rosa Island, Florida, involved two plots: one with a natural sandy surface and another with a gravel lag surface. Wind and sediment transport were monitored for three months using cup anemometers and Wenglor particle counters. Spline regression models identified a two-knot system at wind speed thresholds of 9 ms−1 and 11 ms−1, representing critical changes in sediment transport dynamics. Our results show that non-erodible surfaces significantly reduce sediment transport at lower wind speeds. At wind speeds below 9 ms−1, sediment transport on the lag surface was 131 percent lower than on the non-lag surface. However, as wind speeds increased, the influence of the lag surface diminished, and no significant difference in transport was observed at wind speeds above 11 ms−1. These findings emphasize the intricate role of non-erodible elements in reducing sediment transport at lower wind speeds while enhancing transport dynamics under stronger wind conditions. These insights inform future models and guide coastal management practices.
{"title":"Lagging behind: Impact of non-native gravel within a coastal dune system","authors":"Phillip P. Schmutz , Tynon Briggs , Samantha Seals","doi":"10.1016/j.aeolia.2024.100957","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.aeolia.2024.100957","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Recent research has increasingly focused on the intricate relationship between wind dynamics and sediment transport in coastal settings, particularly how surface features affect aeolian transport processes. Non-erodible roughness elements such as gravel or shell deposits play a significant role by altering wind flow and raising the wind velocity threshold required to mobilize sediment. Despite advancements in modeling, fully understanding sediment transport dynamics remains challenging due to the complex interactions between surface features and wind dynamics. This study explores the influence of non-erodible lag surfaces on sediment transport in sandy barrier island environments. Fieldwork on Santa Rosa Island, Florida, involved two plots: one with a natural sandy surface and another with a gravel lag surface. Wind and sediment transport were monitored for three months using cup anemometers and Wenglor particle counters. Spline regression models identified a two-knot system at wind speed thresholds of 9 ms<sup>−1</sup> and 11 ms<sup>−1</sup>, representing critical changes in sediment transport dynamics. Our results show that non-erodible surfaces significantly reduce sediment transport at lower wind speeds. At wind speeds below 9 ms<sup>−1</sup>, sediment transport on the lag surface was 131 percent lower than on the non-lag surface. However, as wind speeds increased, the influence of the lag surface diminished, and no significant difference in transport was observed at wind speeds above 11 ms<sup>−1</sup>. These findings emphasize the intricate role of non-erodible elements in reducing sediment transport at lower wind speeds while enhancing transport dynamics under stronger wind conditions. These insights inform future models and guide coastal management practices.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49246,"journal":{"name":"Aeolian Research","volume":"72 ","pages":"Article 100957"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2024-12-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143181444","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-12-04DOI: 10.1016/j.aeolia.2024.100954
Zachary Lawless , Ty Hosler , Bradley R. Adams , Gregory T. Carling
Dust events are tracked from source to sink using geochemical/isotopic tracers, dust emission and transport modeling, or remote sensing, but these tools are rarely used together. To test the utility of combining multiple dust tracking methods, we used three Wasatch Front (Utah) dust events from August 2009, May 2020, and September 2020 to compare source apportionment estimated by the Community Multiscale Air Quality (CMAQ) model and strontium isotope (87Sr/86Sr) ratios. The Wasatch Front is impacted by atmospheric particulate matter (PM) from local urban sources and regional playas including Sevier Dry Lake, Great Salt Lake (GSL), and the GSL Desert. CMAQ modeling of the August 2009 event showed dust emission and transport from multiple playa sources to the Salt Lake City measurement site as wind patterns changed during the storm. The predicted mix of sources was consistent with the measured 87Sr/86Sr ratio of 0.71217 on the PM10 filter collected during the event. Modeling of the May 2020 period showed a consistent meteorological pattern that carried dust from the Sevier Dry Lake area toward the Provo measurement site, consistent with the measured 87Sr/86Sr ratio of 0.71015. Modeling of the September 2020 period indicated a major dust event with complex wind patterns that changed during the event, resulting in relatively small amounts of dust from GSL Desert being transported to the Provo site. No emissions from Sevier Dry Lake were predicted to reach the site during the September event, suggesting GSL Desert contributions were mixed with local dust with a lower 87Sr/86Sr ratio to produce the measured value of 0.71097. Results from the three dust events demonstrate the benefits of combining CMAQ emission and transport modeling with isotopic data from PM10 filters to better characterize dust source-to-sink behavior in Utah, and illustrate the potential for application in other arid regions.
{"title":"Combining modeling and isotopic signatures to track Aeolian dust from source to sink in the Wasatch Front, Utah, USA","authors":"Zachary Lawless , Ty Hosler , Bradley R. Adams , Gregory T. Carling","doi":"10.1016/j.aeolia.2024.100954","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.aeolia.2024.100954","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Dust events are tracked from source to sink using geochemical/isotopic tracers, dust emission and transport modeling, or remote sensing, but these tools are rarely used together. To test the utility of combining multiple dust tracking methods, we used three Wasatch Front (Utah) dust events from August 2009, May 2020, and September 2020 to compare source apportionment estimated by the Community Multiscale Air Quality (CMAQ) model and strontium isotope (<sup>87</sup>Sr/<sup>86</sup>Sr) ratios. The Wasatch Front is impacted by atmospheric particulate matter (PM) from local urban sources and regional playas including Sevier Dry Lake, Great Salt Lake (GSL), and the GSL Desert. CMAQ modeling of the August 2009 event showed dust emission and transport from multiple playa sources to the Salt Lake City measurement site as wind patterns changed during the storm. The predicted mix of sources was consistent with the measured<!--> <sup>87</sup>Sr/<sup>86</sup>Sr ratio of 0.71217 on the PM<sub>10</sub> <!-->filter collected during the event. Modeling of the May 2020 period showed a consistent meteorological pattern that carried dust from the Sevier Dry Lake area toward the Provo measurement site, consistent with the measured<!--> <sup>87</sup>Sr/<sup>86</sup>Sr ratio of 0.71015. Modeling of the September 2020 period indicated a major dust event with complex wind patterns that changed during the event, resulting in relatively small amounts of dust from GSL Desert being transported to the Provo site. No emissions from Sevier Dry Lake were predicted to reach the site during the September event, suggesting GSL Desert contributions were mixed with local dust with a lower <sup>87</sup>Sr/<sup>86</sup>Sr ratio to produce the measured value of 0.71097. Results from the three dust events demonstrate the benefits of combining CMAQ emission and transport modeling with isotopic data from PM<sub>10</sub> <!-->filters to better characterize dust source-to-sink behavior in Utah, and illustrate the potential for application in other arid regions.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49246,"journal":{"name":"Aeolian Research","volume":"72 ","pages":"Article 100954"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2024-12-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143181445","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
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