Seasonal variations of dust record in the Muztagata ice cores

【摘要】 Based on the oxygen isotope ratio and microparticle record in ice cores recovered at Mt. Muztagata, Eastern Pamirs, the seasonal variations of atmospheric dust have been reconstructed for the past four decades. High dust concentrations and coarser particle grains have the similar trend with oxygen iso- tope value. Our statistical results indicate that 50%―60% high dust concentration samples occur dur- ing the season with high oxygen isotope values (summer), while low dust storm frequency during spring and winter. Back-trajectory analysis shows that the air mass hitting Muztagata predominately came from West Asia (such as Iran-Afghanistan Plateau) and Central Asia, which are the main dust source area for Muztagata. Dust storms in those source areas most frequently occur during summer (from May to August), while frequent dust storm events in northern China mainly occur during spring (March to May). Regions in the path of Asian dust transport, such as in Japan, the North Pacific, and Greenland, also show high dust concentrations during spring (from March to May). Our results indicate that dust storms have different seasonality in different regions within Asia.更多还原

【Abstract】 Based on the oxygen isotope ratio and microparticle record in ice cores recovered at Mt. Muztagata, Eastern Pamirs, the seasonal variations of atmospheric dust have been reconstructed for the past four decades. High dust concentrations and coarser particle grains have the similar trend with oxygen iso- tope value. Our statistical results indicate that 50%―60% high dust concentration samples occur dur- ing the season with high oxygen isotope values (summer), while low dust storm frequency during spring and winter. Back-trajectory analysis shows that the air mass hitting Muztagata predominately came from West Asia (such as Iran-Afghanistan Plateau) and Central Asia, which are the main dust source area for Muztagata. Dust storms in those source areas most frequently occur during summer (from May to August), while frequent dust storm events in northern China mainly occur during spring (March to May). Regions in the path of Asian dust transport, such as in Japan, the North Pacific, and Greenland, also show high dust concentrations during spring (from March to May). Our results indicate that dust storms have different seasonality in different regions within Asia.更多还原