Temporal Variation of Airborne Dust Concentrations in the Mogao Grottoes, Dunhuang, China

Dust storms bring a large quantity of dust aerosols from arid and semi-arid regions the Earth. However, real-time concentration data for in regions, important wind erosion studies, are still limited. Here, temporal variation airborne concentrations Mogao Grottoes, Northwest China, during monitoring period February to October 2012 typical under different directions were analyzed. Results reveal that monthly mean total suspended particle (TSP), particulate matter less than 10 μm (PM10), 2.5 (PM2.5) gradually decreased October. The daily fluctuated with day, extreme values occurring mainly on February, March, April. PM10/TSP ratio ranged 0.67 0.98 (mean 0.82), PM2.5/PM10 0.31 0.73 0.55), indicating PM10 dominated TSP. In storms, maximum can reach 16, 000–21, 000 μg TSP m −3 , ∼11, 3000–3500 PM2.5 50358.03 33100.86 7502.59 recorded. Coincidence dry climate windy season sufficient sources surrounding environment contributed high Grottoes. To achieve goal minimizing damage falling murals statues, establishing storm early warning system improving existing sand control recommended.