Influence of sampling approaches on physical and geochemical analysis of aeolian dust in source regions

The characterisation of mineral dust at emission sources is essential for quantifying the wider-scale environmental impacts has, as well improving its incorporation in modelling. Methods sampling sediments these source areas purposes are varied and can produce different representations emitted dust. This study systematically compared characterisations from three established approaches estimating potential, namely: Big Spring Number Eight (BSNE) traps, a Portable In-situ Wind Erosion Laboratory (PI-SWERL) wind tunnel, bulk surface sampling, known Namib Desert source. Individual particle analysis by auto-SEM (QEMSCAN) allowed comparison size, shape, mineralogy elemental composition micrometre-scale samples approaches. BSNE consisted lower proportion fine sediment (<20 µm diameter) than PI-SWERL-derived samples, with this performance possibly influenced atmospheric humidity. In comparison, PI-SWERL characterised relatively fewer particles between 63 100 µm, fraction that was more evident both BSNE-derived sediments. reduced representation coarser resulted appreciable differences shape mineralogic characteristics to surface-derived samples. methods return variable across fundamental properties mineralogy. Awareness caused technique remains appropriate physical geochemical aeolian highlights how standardised techniques important meaningful comparisons, while achieve accurate remain priority discipline.