Spatial and temporal variations of dust concentrations in the Gobi Desert of Mongolia

Dust mass concentrations of PM10 and PM2.5 from four monitoring stations in the Gobi Desert region of Mongolia were analyzed for a 16-month period in 2009–2010. Annual averaged PM10 concentration ranged from 9 μg m− 3 to 49 μg m− 3 at these stations during 2009. Concentrations were high in winter owing to air pollution and in spring owing to dust storms; the monthly mean concentrations of PM10 (PM2.5) at the three stations except for Sainshand reached yearly maxima in December and January, ranging from 60 (38) μg m− 3 to 120 (94) μg m− 3. Diurnal variations of PM10 and PM2.5 concentrations at two sites, Dalanzadgad and Zamyn-Uud, included two maxima in the morning and evening and two minima in the afternoon and early morning. However, at Erdene PM10 maxima occurred in the afternoon and evening. Both PM10 and PM2.5 concentrations were enhanced from March to May by dust storms. Dust storms raised huge amounts of fine dust particles in the Gobi of Mongolia. Maximum daily mean PM10 (PM2.5) concentrations reached 821 (500) μg m− 3 at Dalanzadgad, 308 (129) μg m− 3 at Zamyn-Uud, and 1328 μg m− 3 at Erdene. Hourly maximum PM10 (PM2.5) concentrations were as high as 6626 (2899) μg m− 3 at Dalanzadgad during a dust storm.

► This study was the first to examine dust mass concentrations of PM10 (PM2.5) in the Gobi Desert, Mongolia.
► The monthly mean concentrations of PM10 (PM2.5) reached yearly maxima in December and January owing to air pollution.
► Both PM10 and PM2.5 concentrations were enhanced from March to May by dust storms.
► Daily mean concentrations of PM10 varied 64 ~ 234 μg m− 3 for dust storms in spring.
► The highest hourly mean concentration of PM10 was 6626 μg m− 3 in the Gobi during a dust storm.