A study led by Dr. SONG Yougui from the Institute of Earth Environment of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, with contributions from scientists in Uzbekistan, has unveiled the history of Holocene dust activity in eastern Uzbekistan, Central Asia, providing new insights into past climatic change and offering predictions for future trends. 

The researchers examined a 6.2-meter loess-paleosol sequence near Tashkent, Uzbekistan, an area influenced by westerly winds that play a key role in transporting dust and sediment. They applied quartz optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) dating, grain-size analysis, and geochemical proxies to reconstruct Holocene dust activity.

They found that dust activity underwent distinct changes across different periods. During the early Holocene (9.6–8.0 ka), dust storms were intense but infrequent due to cold, dry conditions. In contrast, the middle Holocene (8.0–5.0 ka) witnessed peak dust activity under warm, arid climates. In contrast, the late Holocene (<5.0 ka) experienced a shift to less intense but more frequent dust events, reflecting cooler and wetter conditions.

The researchers identified the Zr/Rb ratio as a reliable indicator of dust activity, reflecting changes in wind strength and sediment transport. The team linked extreme dust storms in Central Asia to global climatic events, such as North Atlantic ice-rafted debris (IRD) episodes, highlighting how global climatic events influence regional dust dynamics.

"Our findings illustrate the critical influence of the Siberian High and westerlies on Central Asia's dust dynamics over millennia, providing insights into potential future changes," said Dr. SONG.

The study predicts a decline in dust activity in the coming century due to the weakening of the Siberian High caused by global warming. This decline in dust activity could improve air quality and reduce desertification risks in the region.

This study, published in Global and Planetary Change, received support from the Second Qinghai-Tibet Plateau Scientific Expedition and Research Program, the National Natural Science Foundation of China, and the Chinese Academy of Sciences.