Grain-size distribution of the aeolian sediment and its effect on the formation and growth of mega-dunes in the Badain Jaran Desert, north-west China

摘要

In order to ascertain the formation cause and development mechanism of mega-dunes situated in the south-eastern Badain Jaran Desert, emblematic mega-dunes in densely distributed area was chosen as research object, and combined grain-size distributions with physiognomy zonation of a single mega-dune to carry out systematic and quantitative research. We acquired the physiognomy zonation data on the windward slope, the sediment size composition at different parts of the mega-dune by means of grain-size analysis and further investigated the relationship among sediment size distribution, content change and the landform zonation characteristics of the mega-dune's wind dynamic conditions. The following conclusions were drawn: