title: The sand-deposition impact of artificial gravel beds on the protection of the Mogao Grottoes.
abstract: Gravel beds can prevent sand-dust emission and weaken sand-dust flux. We used wind-tunnel experiments and field observations on artificial gravel beds above the Mogao Grottoes to quantify their impact. In the report, we identified a significant correlation between gravel roughness and its ability to trap wind-transported sand. The optimal combinations of gravel diameter and coverage were determined. The greatest roughness is achieved when small gravel coverage is 75%, medium 40% and large 45%. We found that initial wind speed and gravel coverage are the key factors controlling the amount of sand trapped by the gravel beds.
authors.affiliation: 1] Institute of Remote Sensing and Digital Earth, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100094, China [2] Technology and Engineering Center for Space Utilization, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100094, China [3] University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China [4] Dunhuang Gobi and Desert Ecological and Environmental Research Station, Cold and Arid Regions Environmental and Engineering Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dunhuang 736200, China.
authors.forename: Guo Shuai
authors.initials: GS
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: 1] Dunhuang Gobi and Desert Ecological and Environmental Research Station, Cold and Arid Regions Environmental and Engineering Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dunhuang 736200, China [2] Cold and Arid Regions Environmental and Engineering Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou 730000, China.
authors.forename: Jian Jun
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Qu
authors.affiliation: Technology and Engineering Center for Space Utilization, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100094, China.
authors.forename: Xu Zhi
authors.initials: XZ
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Dunhuang Academy China, Dunhuang 736200, China.
authors.forename: Wan Fu
authors.initials: WF
authors.lastname: Wang