Geochemical characteristics of dust aerosol availability in northwestern China

Based on field sample collections, wind tunnel experiments, and statistical analyses, the spatial differences of geochemical characteristics of dust aerosol availability originating from different landscapes in the Tarim Basin, Qaidam Basin, and Ala Shan Plateau of northwestern China were evaluated. Experiments and statistical analysis results showed that there are many differences in the geochemical characteristics of dust aerosol availability originating from above regions. Riverbeds, wadis and gobi deserts, and interdunes are the major landscapes for element emissions of dust aerosols in the Qaidam Basin, Ala Shan Plateau, and Tarim Basin, respectively. Among them, more than 60% of the elements such as Ti, Cr, Rb, Y, Nb, Ce, Nd, Pb, and Al 2 O 3 in dust aerosol availability that originated from the Ala Shan Plateau and the Tarim Basin may play an important role in the element emissions in coarse fractions. Variations in the geochemical characteristics of dust aerosol availability caused by landscape and regional differences may play an important role in loess compositions and in past climate reconstructions that used post-depositional eolian sediments as a proxy.