Source‐To‐Sink Aeolian Fluxes From Arid Landscape Dynamics in the Lut Desert

Aeolian sediment fluxes in the Lut Desert, Iran, demonstrate remarkable consistency over vastly different time scales—from decades to millions of years. The study quantifies long-term erosion and deposition, revealing sediment discharges (10^5–10^6 m³/yr) that align with short- and medium-term estimates derived from wind data and dune dynamics. By mapping modern sandflows, the research establishes a comprehensive source-to-sink framework for aeolian systems, constrained by the joint development of erosional landforms like mega-yardangs and depositional features such as giant dunes. This work highlights the geomorphic controls of wind-driven processes in arid landscapes, offering insights into mass exchanges between continents and the atmosphere.

Chanteloube, C., Barrier, L., Derakhshani, R., Gadal, C., Braucher, R., Payet, V., Léanni, L., & Narteau, C. (2022). Source‐To‐Sink Aeolian Fluxes From Arid Landscape Dynamics in the Lut Desert. Geophysical Research Letters, 49(4). Portico. https://doi.org/10.1029/2021gl097342