Comparative Study on Optical Characteristics of Dust Aerosols in the Taklimakan Desert and the Sahara Desert
Based on CALIPSO and MODIS active and passive satellite remote sensing data from 2007 to 2021,this study explores and compares the spatiotemporal distribution characteristics of aerosols in the Taklimakan Desert(TD)and the Sahara Desert(SD).The results show that:(1)The contribution rate of desert dust aerosols to total aerosols in the two major deserts is the highest,and the relative singularity of aerosol type seasonal changes reflects the significant impact of desert dust emissions on total aerosol composition in the TD and SD;(2)The peak of AOD in the TD occurs in spring(spring>summer>autumn>winter),while the peak of AOD in the SD occurs in summer(summer>spring>autumn>winter);(3)The total aerosol elevation in the SD is similar to that in the TD,but the extinction coefficient(EC)in the near surface layer is significantly lower than that in the TD;The average extinction coefficient of the TD is greater than that of the SD in all seasons,so the AOD of sand and dust aerosols in the TD is greater than that in the SD;Compared to desert dust aerosols,neither the TD nor the SD show significant pollution,dust,and smoke activity.The above research results reveal the observational facts of the optical characteristics of dust aerosols in the two major desert source areas and the possibility of using the spatiotemporal variation characteristics of atmospheric aerosols to reflect regional climate change.