In-depth scientific research in the hinterland of Lop Nur

By WANG Jing

Abstract: Northwest China, including Xinjiang, is far away from the ocean and south to the plateau. Most are in the non-monsoon area, with less rainfall throughout the year, forming arid and semi-arid climate characteristics. However, with the intensification of global climate change, the precipitation in these arid regions of northwest China is increasing, and the climate is also becoming warmer and humid to a certain extent. Lop Nur is located in the hinterland of the Taklamakan Desert in Xinjiang. Driven by climate change, the hydrology and ecology of Lop Nur and its surrounding areas are also changing. Based on the third scientific expedition to Lop Nur and its surrounding areas composed of Chinese scientists, and combined with the investigation from the expedition team members along the way and the hinterland of Lop Nur, this paper introduces the ecological conditions of the Tarim River, the landform and geographical location characteristics of Lop Nur, and considers the conditions and future development trends of groundwater and surface water in Lop Nur and its surrounding areas against the backdrop of global climate change.

Key words: Tarim, watershed, Lop Nur, potassium salt, climate change

WANG Jing. In-depth scientific research in the hinterland of Lop Nur: Will this barren land be “resurrected” again?. BioGreen - Biodiversity Conservation and Green Development. Vol.1, January 2023. Total issues 34. ISSN2749-9065

The scientific expedition team surveyed the soil in the middle and lower reaches of the Tarim River. Source: Scientific Expedition Working Group

Lop Nur in the shape of “big ear” under the satellite map. Source: CBCGDF Media

The heartland of Lop Nur under the lens of 2021. Source: Scientific Expedition Working Group

In the heart of Lop Nur in 2020, there was a puddle of light green water at the bottom of the channel dug out by the excavator and the surrounding white crystalline salt. Source: Scientific Research Working Group

Source: CHEN Yaning and XU Zongxue. The possible impact of global climate change on the water resources of the Tarim River Basin in Xinjiang. Science in China (Series D: Earth Sciences) , Vol. 34, No. 11, pp.1047-1053, 2004

The scientific expedition team is recording the soil stratification. Source: Scientific Expedition Working Group

In July 2021, the green Taitema Lake reappeared. Source: CBCGDF

The main scientific expedition location distribution map of 2022 scientific expedition (third phase) of Lop Nur and surrounding area. Source: CBCGDF