Quantitative analysis on windblown dust concentrations of PM10 (PM2.5) during dust events in Mongolia

•Relationships between dust concentration, wind speed and visibility were studied.•Threshold dust concentrations of the onset of dust events were suggested.•Ratio of PM2.5/PM10 was higher in winter and spring.•The threshold wind speed during dust events was estimated at five sites.•NDVI and soil aggregations were discussed for dissimilar threshold winds.

Dust concentration, wind speed and visibility, measured at four sites in the Gobi Desert and at a site in the steppe zone of Mongolia over a period of 4.5 years (January 2009 to May 2013), have been analyzed for their relationships, their effects on visibility, and for an estimate of the threshold wind necessary for dust emission in the region.Based on quantitative analysis on measurements, we evaluated that dust emission concentrations of 41-61 (20-24) μg m−3 of PM10 (PM2.5) are as the criterion between normal and hazy atmospheric conditions. With the arrival of dust events, wind-borne soil particulate matter (PM10, PM2.5) that originates in the Gobi Desert is changed dramatically. PM10 (PM2.5) concentrations increase by at least double or by several tens of times during severe dust events in comparison with the normal atmospheric condition. Ratio (PM2.5/PM10) between monthly means of PM10 and PM2.5 concentrations showed that anthropogenic particles were dominant in the ambient air of province centers in cool months (November to February).Threshold values of the onset of dust events were determined for PM10 (PM2.5) concentrations. According to the definition of dust storms, dust concentrations of PM10 corresponding to visibility of 1 km or less were determined at sites in the Gobi Desert and the steppe region. The threshold wind speeds during days with dust events were estimated at four sites in the Gobi Desert and compared each other. The threshold wind was higher at Sainshand and its cause might be due to smaller silt and clay fractions of soil.