Diurnal and Seasonal Variations of Dust Transport around the Tibetan Plateau: Insights from Multi-Source Observations

Abstract

Dust transport around the Tibetan Plateau (TP) plays a key role in regional climate and air quality, yet its seasonal and diurnal variability remains insufficiently understood. Here, we presented the spatiotemporal characteristics of dust transport in the TP region combining satellite observations, reanalysis datasets and ground-based measurements. A new method for dust mass concentration based on CATS (Cloud-Aerosol Transport System) lidar was developed and showed strong consistency with multiple products in both spatial and temporal scales. Our results revealed persistent dust transport belts on both the northern and southern sides of TP, with peaks in spring. The amounts of dust flux transported to TP were estimated for different directional sources, seasons and heights. The vertical variation and amount of dust backflow in Taklamakan Desert were analyzed. The diurnal characteristics of vertical resolved dust flux were presented in three-hour interval and four sections around TP. Overall, this study deepened the understanding of the dust climatology over the TP region from a satellite perspective.