Satellite Monitoring and Synoptic Analysis of Dust Storms from China and Mongolia A Case Study during 6-11 April 2001

摘要

Satellite remote sensing was used to identify the origins and tracks of mineral dust transported to the North Pacific Ocean during 6-11 April 2001. This dust event included two episodes with different origins: the first episode originated in southernMongolia and central Inner Mongolia, China, and the other was mainly from the Taklamakan and Badain Jaran Deserts. Synoptic systems analysis showed that the two episodes were induced, and their dust transported, by different associated synoptic systems;the former was caused by the intensive development of a deep Mongolian cyclone, and the latter by a surface cold front and its associated upper cutoff low. Dust transport from the Taklamakan Desert toward the North Pacific Ocean moves northeastward through the low opening between mountain ranges; this differs from previous reports that the dust first moves north and northwestward to 50°N and is then transported to the North Pacific Ocean by the westerly jet stream.