Effects of the extreme rainfall events on particle size selectivity on the simulated Gobi surface using indoor rainfall experiments

•Extreme rainfalls have great impacts on potential sources of dust emissions.•The particle size selectivity in the eroded sediment was much higher than that on-slope.•Fine particles enrichment ratio in the eroded sediment could reach 3.5–4.3 at rainfall intensity of 20–40 mm h−1.•Extreme rainfalls may increase the potential dust source if rainfall energy is higher enough (15–40 mm h−1). Understanding the particle size selectivity characteristics by rainfalls in the Gobi is of significance to the assessment and projection of the potential sources for the dust emissions. The particle size selectivity characteristics by extreme rainfall events and their correlations with rainfall characteristics and erosion processes were specifically investigated using indoor artificial rainfall experiments. The soils were collected from the Ala Shan Gobi, where was recognized as the major potential sources of dust emissions in Central Asia. The fine particles (