Land cover changes reduce dust aerosol concentrations in northern China (2000-2020)

Xian Liu; Ruiqi Min; Haopeng Zhang; Qianfeng Wang; Hongquan Song

doi:10.1016/j.envres.2025.120823

Land cover changes reduce dust aerosol concentrations in northern China (2000-2020)

Environ Res. 2025 Jan 9:120823. doi: 10.1016/j.envres.2025.120823. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Xian Liu¹, Ruiqi Min², Haopeng Zhang², Qianfeng Wang³, Hongquan Song⁴

Affiliations

¹ Henan Key Laboratory of Air Pollution Control and Ecological Security, Henan University, Kaifeng, Henan, 475004, China; Key Laboratory of Geospatial Technology for the Middle and Lower Yellow River Regions, Ministry of Education, Henan University, Kaifeng, Henan, 475004, China.
² Key Laboratory of Geospatial Technology for the Middle and Lower Yellow River Regions, Ministry of Education, Henan University, Kaifeng, Henan, 475004, China; College of Geographical Sciences, Faculty of Geographical Science and Engineering, Henan University, Zhengzhou, 450046, China.
³ College of Environmental & Safety Engineering, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou, 350116, China.
⁴ Henan Key Laboratory of Air Pollution Control and Ecological Security, Henan University, Kaifeng, Henan, 475004, China; Key Laboratory of Geospatial Technology for the Middle and Lower Yellow River Regions, Ministry of Education, Henan University, Kaifeng, Henan, 475004, China. Electronic address: hqsong@henu.edu.cn.

PMID: 39798655
DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2025.120823

Abstract

Dust aerosols significantly impact climate, human health, and ecosystems, but how land cover (LC) changes influence dust concentrations remains unclear. Here, we applied the Weather Research and Forecasting model coupled with Chemistry (WRF-Chem) to assess the effects of LC changes on dust aerosol concentrations from 2000 to 2020 in northern China. Based on LC data derived from multi-source satellite remote sensing data, we conducted two simulation scenarios: one incorporating actual annual LC changes and another assuming static LC since 2000. Results revealed that approximately 293300 km² of land underwent conversion over the past 20 years. LC changes generally resulted in an average annual reduction of 5.70 μg kg⁻¹ (micrograms per kilogram of dry air) in dust aerosol concentrations. The most significant reduction occurred in winter, averaging 8.90 μg kg⁻¹, followed by spring (8.06 μg kg⁻¹), autumn (5.27 μg kg⁻¹), and summer (1.06 μg kg⁻¹). Converting bare land to forestland was most effective in reducing dust concentrations, followed by conversions to grassland and built-up areas. Conversely, conversions to bare land increased dust aerosol concentrations, especially when forestland or cultivated land was transformed into bare land. These results emphasize the importance of targeted land use strategies to mitigate the adverse environmental and health effects of dust aerosols.

Keywords: LUCC; WRF-Chem; air pollution; dust concentrations; dust emissions.