Aeolian salts in Gobi deserts of the western region of Inner Mongolia: Gone with the dust aerosols

► In West Inner Mongolia salt contents of surfaces range between 0.28 and 14.78‰. ► Salt contents in materials transported by the wind range between 1.55 and 16.95‰. ► Loadings of soluble salts in PM10 range from 0.004 to 0.583‰. ► The terrestrial-derived soluble salt emissions should be carefully evaluated.