The effects of oasis on aeolian deposition under different weather conditions: a case study at the southern margin of the Taklimakan desert

Heavy aeolian deposition is one of the most threatening natural hazards to oases in arid areas. How an oasis affects aeolian deposition is tightly related to the local ecological environments. To examine the effects of oasis on aeolian deposition under different weather conditions, monthly aeolian deposition from April 2008 to March 2009 and additional samples during dust storms in April and May 2008 were collected at four sites along the Qira oasis. The monthly ADRs (aeolian deposition rates) varied greatly with seasons and sites, ranging from 19.4 to 421.2 g/m²/month and averaging 198.8 g/m²/month. Aeolian deposition in the oasis was composed dominantly of sand and silt. Based on the variations of ADRs from the four sites, it can be found that the oasis exhibits two different effects on aeolian deposition under different weather conditions. During dust storms, the oasis demonstrates a significantly shielding effect due to the obstruction of the oasis-protection systems, resulting in most aeolian particles being deposited at the windward side of the oasis. While during non-dust storm periods with weak winds, the oasis exhibits an “attracting” effect on aeolian deposition, leading to a higher ADR inside the oasis. Owing to the annual ADR is dominated by the non-dust storm ADR in Qira, the oasis seems to become an important aeolian deposition area caused by the “attracting” effect of the oasis.