The Features of Wind's Regime and Sand Transport Potential in Sarakhs Erg

The purpose of this study was to investigate the characteristics of wind regime and sand transport potential in the Sarakhs Erg, located in the north-eastern corner of Iran. Accordingly, using the data of wind speed and direction (1978-2016) of the Sarakhs synoptic station, the potential of sand transport (DP), Resultant Drift Potential (RDP), Resultant Direction Drift (RDD), and the ratio of RDP/DP were calculated using Fryberger-Dean (1979) method. Also, the characteristics of erosive winds and temporal changes were investigated based on sand transport (DP) potential. The results showed that the dominant wind direction and the sandy wind were northwest. Agricultural lands, especially in the fall season, as well as the sediments of the Tajan Border River, were the sources of wind sediments. In general, wind energy in the Sarakhs region based on the sand transport (DP) potential is put in the low class (DP=193 v.u) with the highest and the lowest in July and November, respectively. On the other hand, sand discharge capacity based on the average sand carrying potential (DP = 193 v.u) for this range was estimated to be about 13.51 m3 in width. Field studies and satellite images showed that sand and nebka zones were two main forms of wind sediments in Sarakhs Erg sediments.