Characteristics of wind-blown sand on Gobi/mobile sand surface

The characteristics of wind-blown sand on Gobi/mobile sand surface have been investigated through field observation and wind tunnel experiments. On moving sand surface, the pattern of wind speed profile in sand flow follows the power function and its power exponent is about 0.20. While on Gobi surface, due to collision of sand grains with gravels, the structure of sand flow differs from that on moving sand surface, which decreases exponentially with height. The height of blown sand activities on Gobi surface is mainly concentrated below 20 cm. In addition, the structure of sand flow can reach a peak at a certain height and increases with inlet wind velocity.