Based on a coupled dust transport equation and mesoscale simulation methodology
this study investigates the effects of wind farms in the sandy desert regions of northern China on local meteorological elements and dust transport. The analysis focuses on the impact of wind farms on the spatial distribution of wind speed
temperature
humidity
dust concentration
dust deposition flux
and sand emission flux. By considering variations in atmospheric boundary layer height (PBLH) and wind speed
the study explores the mechanisms by which these factors influence dust transport. The results indicate that the operation of wind farms leads to a reduction in wind speed and an increase in near-surface temperature
particularly in densely distributed wind farm areas
where the maximum temperature increase can reach 0.3 ℃. Temperature changes exhibit a negative correlation with relative humidity in sparsely distributed wind farm regions
while a positive correlation is observed in areas with dense wind turbine installations. Additionally
the presence of wind farms increases the height of the atmospheric boundary layer
facilitating the dispersion of dust and resulting in a decrease in dust concentration in and around the wind farm
with reductions ranging from 10 to 70 μg/m. In contrast
the southeastern region of Gansu experiences dust accumulation due to a lower atmospheric boundary layer height and lowed wind speeds
leading to increased dust concentrations. The variations in dust deposition flux show a positive correlation with changes in dust concentration; in regions where dust concentration increases
the deposition flux also rises
whereas it decreases in areas where dust concentration falls. Furthermore
the reduced wind speed in the vicinity of wind farms contributes to a decrease in sand emission flux. The operation of wind farms significantly influences local meteorological elements and dust transport processes in northern China
with these effects closely related to the spatial distribution density and scale of the wind farms.
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