Li Wenxin

and 9 more

Utilizing multi-source remote sensing data and the optimized Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF)-Chem model, this research investigated the four-dimensional spatio-temporal dynamics of dust concentration in Northwest China, and then further explored the effectiveness of circle structure of desert oasis area and structure of shelterbelts system in preventing wind and blocking dust in Ulan Buh desert oasis. The results revealed that the correlation coefficients between simulated outcomes and field observations ranged from 0.75 to 0.90, indicating a reliable method for dust concentration simulation. The spatial distribution of dust concentration in Northwest China exhibited a pattern characterized by ”three-point outbreaks, four-direction extension, and aggregated diffusion”. Furthermore, the dust concentration was higher in spring compared to winter, and it diminished with increasing height in the vertical profile. In winter, higher dust concentrations were observed in western high-latitude areas, whereas in spring, the western low-latitude regions had higher dust concentration. In the transition zone of desert oasis, shrubs had minimal impact on wind and dust, reducing wind speeds by just 0.2 to 0.5 m/s. In contrast, shelterbelts significantly influenced wind and dust, with multi-row shelterbelts reducing wind speeds by 1.02 to 1.77 m/s and blocking daily dust by up to 2.38 mg·m⁻³. Combining multi-row shelterbelts with single or double rows could reduce wind speed by up to 4 m/s and block daily dust by up to 6.02 mg·m⁻³. Because of their vertical construction and effect on airflow, shelterbelts were effective in trapping dust at heights exceeding 50 meters.