Land Surface Dynamic Mechanisms and Anthropogenic Facility Disasters Caused by Sand/Dust Processes

A special issue of Atmosphere (ISSN 2073-4433). This special issue belongs to the section "Meteorology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 May 2026 | Viewed by 454

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
College of Civil Engineering and Mechanics, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
Interests: blown sand physics; land surface processes; disaster prevention; photovoltaic power; wind power; transmission lines

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
College of Civil Engineering and Mechanics, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
Interests: turbulent boundary layer; unstable boundary layer; dust deposition

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
College of Civil Engineering and Mechanics, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
Interests: fluid mechanics; vehicle aerodynamics; wind–sand coupled flow; bluff body flow

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The formation and evolution of sandy landforms is one of the main land surface dynamic processes in arid and semi-arid regions. The associated sand disasters caused by aeolian sand/dust seriously threaten anthropogenic facilities such as railways, highways, photovoltaic power stations, wind power stations, and transmission lines. Extensive work has been carried out to provide support for land surface dynamic mechanisms and anthropogenic facility disaster prevention. However, this research is still far from complete and continued advancements are necessary. Under the current background of the rapid development of new energy, road, and other projects in arid and semi-arid regions, the research demand for the mechanism and protection of aeolian sand/dust has increased rapidly. This Special Issue is devoted to all topics related to sandy landform dynamic mechanisms and anthropogenic facility disasters, including (but not limited to) the following subjects:

  • Dynamic model of aeolian sand/dust movement;
  • Long-term field observation on wind-blown sand/dust around anthropogenic facilities;
  • Causes of aeolian sand/dust disasters on anthropogenic facilities;
  • The impact of sand/dust transportation on the efficiency of photovoltaic/wind power generation;
  • The influence of surface deposition of sand/dust on roads and power transmission lines;
  • The formation and evolution of sand/snow dunes;
  • New methods and technologies for the prevention of aeolian sand/dust disasters;
  • Failure mechanisms and effectiveness evaluations of prevention measures;
  • New water-saving irrigation technology for plant-based sand disaster prevention;
  • Optimization of a comprehensive protection system for sand/dust disaster.

Dr. Hongchao Dun
Dr. Binbin Pei
Prof. Dr. Kan He
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • wind-blown sand/dust
  • sand bury
  • wind erosion
  • photovoltaic power station
  • wind power station
  • transmission tower line
  • desert road
  • unstable atmospheric stratifications
  • sand deposition
  • sand/dust disaster prevention
  • prevention system
  • wind tunnel experiment
  • field observation
  • numerical simulation
  • sand fence
  • mechanical sand barrier

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Research

24 pages, 4363 KB  
Article
Mechanistic Links Between Freeze–Thaw Cycles and Topsoil Erosion on the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau
by Zhenghu Ge, Kang Gao, Hongchao Dun, Ning Huang, Rezaali Pakzad and Yang Meng
Atmosphere 2025, 16(9), 1053; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos16091053 - 5 Sep 2025
Viewed by 209
Abstract
The Qinghai-Tibet Plateau (QTP) is uniquely characterized by widespread permafrost and desertification due to its distinctive natural environment and geographic setting. The current lack of understanding regarding the mechanisms by which the number of freeze-thaw cycles (N) exacerbates soil erosion poses [...] Read more.
The Qinghai-Tibet Plateau (QTP) is uniquely characterized by widespread permafrost and desertification due to its distinctive natural environment and geographic setting. The current lack of understanding regarding the mechanisms by which the number of freeze-thaw cycles (N) exacerbates soil erosion poses a significant challenge to accurately assessing regional erosion dynamics. Here, we simulate realistic freeze-thaw conditions using an optimized cryogenic simulator and systematically quantify changes in soil physical properties, surface microstructure, and frost heave deformation. Research shows that as the number of freeze-thaw cycles rises, the surface soil moisture content decreases by 54.3%. Total porosity and bulk density display opposite trends. These changes in soil properties are mainly driven by frost heave forces disrupting soil cohesion. In particular, repeated water-ice phase transitions lead to continuous accumulation of axial frost heave stress, which rearranges soil particles. This significantly raises surface porosity with a growth rate as high as 60.3% and greatly reduces the soil’s resistance to external erosion. At the same time, the aggregate size distribution shifts toward finer particles, accompanied by a continued decrease in the mean weight diameter (MWD), which declines by approximately 8%. Notably, this degradation persists even when external loading partially suppresses frost heave. Therefore, the progressive physical degradation induced by frost heave-manifested through as moisture loss, porosity changes, aggregate breakdown, and compromised stability even under load-establishes the core mechanistic pathway through which freeze-thaw cycles intensify erosion in QTP soils. Full article
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