Sediment transportation by strong winds over Gobi surfaces: Field observations along the Lanzhou–Xinjiang high‐speed railway

Author:

Wang Tao1ORCID,Liu Benli12ORCID,Niu Qinghe1,Tan Lihai12,Qu Jianjun123,Niu Baicheng2,Yin Daiying1

Affiliation:

1. Key Laboratory of Ecological Safety and Sustainable Development in Arid Lands/Research Station of Gobi Ecology and Environment in Dunhuang of Gansu Province Northwest Institute of Eco‐Environment and Resources, Chinese Academy of Sciences Lanzhou China

2. Academy of Plateau Science and Sustainability Qinghai Normal University Xining China

3. College of Urban and Environmental Sciences Northwest University Xi'an China

Abstract

AbstractUnder strong wind action over vast Gobi surfaces, eolian transportation can cause significant environmental problems and infrastructural damage. However, scientific understanding of the underlying mechanisms and dynamics of this process in the Gobi region remains limited. To address this gap, our study focused on investigating eolian transportation over the Gobi surface along the Lanzhou–Xinjiang high‐speed railway (LXHSR) in Northwest China, where strong winds are prevalent. The results indicate that sand transportation heights can reach 9 m in this region, with the saltation layer approximately 3–6 times higher than that of other gravel deserts. The sediment flux density over the Gobi surface exhibited an exponential decrease with increasing elevation; however, the grain‐size vertical profile in wind‐blown sand displayed an increase up to a critical altitude, followed by a decrease with height. The annual eolian transported quantity recorded in this region exceeds that of most deserts worldwide. Notably, fine sand and total suspended particulates (TSP) contributed to approximately 90% of the sediment deposited on railway tracks and drawn in by passing trains. To control transportation of these fine particles, we propose increasing the height of sand‐blocking fences within the current railway wind‐blown sand protection system from 2 to 3 m. Simultaneously, anthropogenic damage to the Gobi surface should be minimized to reduce excessive dust release. This study provides insight into the wind‐blown sand movement mechanism over the Gobi surface under strong winds, and the eolian physics parameters revealed may serve as a theoretical foundation for preventing and managing eolian catastrophes along the Lanzhou–Xinjiang high‐speed railway.

Funder

National Natural Science Foundation of China

Natural Science Foundation of Gansu Province

Publisher

Wiley

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