Other
Scientific paper
May 2006
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2006georl..3309401w&link_type=abstract
Geophysical Research Letters, Volume 33, Issue 9, CiteID L09401
Other
27
Atmospheric Composition And Structure: Aerosols And Particles (0345, 4801, 4906), Global Change: Land/Atmosphere Interactions (1218, 1843, 3322), Global Change: Climate Dynamics (0429, 3309)
Scientific paper
The Bodélé Depression, Chad is the planet's largest single source of dust. Deflation from the Bodélé could be seen as a simple coincidence of two key prerequisites: strong surface winds and a large source of suitable sediment. But here we hypothesise that long term links between topography, winds, deflation and dust ensure the maintenance of the dust source such that these two apparently coincidental key ingredients are connected by land-atmosphere processes with topography acting as the overall controlling agent. We use a variety of observational and numerical techniques, including a regional climate model, to show that: 1) contemporary deflation from the Bodélé is delineated by topography and a surface wind stress maximum; 2) the Tibesti and Ennedi mountains play a key role in the generation of the erosive winds in the form of the Bodélé Low Level Jet (LLJ); 3) enhanced deflation from a stronger Bodélé LLJ during drier phases, for example, the Last Glacial Maximum, was probably sufficient to create the shallow lake in which diatoms lived during wetter phases, such as the Holocene pluvial. Winds may therefore have helped to create the depression in which erodible diatom material accumulated. Instead of a simple coincidence of nature, dust from the world's largest source may result from the operation of long term processes on paleo timescales which have led to ideal conditions for dust generation in the world's largest dust source. Similar processes plausibly operate in other dust hotspots in topographic depressions.
Bristow Charles S.
Engelstaedter Sebastian
Flamant Cyrille
Ginoux Paul
Goudie Andrew S.
No associations
LandOfFree
Links between topography, wind, deflation, lakes and dust: The case of the Bodélé Depression, Chad does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.
If you have personal experience with Links between topography, wind, deflation, lakes and dust: The case of the Bodélé Depression, Chad, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Links between topography, wind, deflation, lakes and dust: The case of the Bodélé Depression, Chad will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1007557