A study on the effects of convective transport on regional-scale Asian dust storms in 2002

摘要

In this study, we examine the effects of convective transport in the framework of a regional-scale dust model. For this purpose a time-dependent convective transport scheme coupled with the Kain-Fritsch scheme of a host atmospheric model is used. Through comparison with independent studies it is shown that the scheme can adequately simulate upward convective dust transport and downward dust transport by subsidence in the environment. The scheme is applied to the simulation of Asian dust storms in 2002. It is shown that on regional scale, convective transport alters vertical dust distribution in two ways. In some areas, because of strong upward drafts, convective transport carries dust particles from the boundary layer to the middle and upper troposphere, while in other areas the net effect of convective transport is to move dust particles in the middle and upper troposphere downward leading to increased dust concentration in the lower troposphere.