Aeolian Sands of the Temperate Boreal Zone (Northern Asia)

Aeolian sands in the temperate boreal zone of northern Asia, particularly in the Landscapes of Dauria (Western Transbaikalia), exhibit unique characteristics distinct from subtropical and tropical deserts. These sands, dominated by medium- and fine-grained, polymineral material with unstable minerals like feldspars and pyroxenes, form mini-deserts with active aeolian processes such as dunes and deflationary basins. The study reveals that the activation of these processes is driven by both natural factors—including neotectonic movements, semi-arid climate, and vegetation types—and anthropogenic activities like deforestation and land plowing. Radiocarbon dating indicates that aeolian activity has intensified during the Holocene, primarily sourced from river and lake beaches, floodplains, and terraces. Unlike tropical deserts, where sands are finer and monomineral, boreal zone sands are coarser and more diverse mineralogically, offering potential for ecotourism development.

Akulov, N., Rubtsova, M., Akulova, V., Ryzhov, Y., & Smirnov, M. (2024). Aeolian Sands of the Temperate Boreal Zone (Northern Asia). Quaternary, 7(4), 55. https://doi.org/10.3390/quat7040055