Saltation Activity at the Morgenstern Dunes of West Texas

The following file contains measurements of detected aeolian sand transport and meteorological conditions at a sandy site located 26.6 km west of the small town of Meadow, Texas (33.3214 -102.4908). Measurements were obtained continuously from 24 September 2002 to 1 May 2003. The sampling system consisted of a 2-m tall meteorological tower equipped with and an R. M. Young anemometer (model 05103) that provided wind direction, wind speed, standard deviation of wind speed and maximum gust. All wind variables were sampled at a frequency of 1 Hz and summarized every 5 minutes. Aeolian sand transport was detected with a Sensit piezoelectric saltation sensor. During periods of active saltation, the Sensit transducer produced a signal that was used as an indicator of aeolian sediment transport. Each pulse signal generated by a saltating grain that impacted the sensor was detected and if one or more impacts were detected during a given second then that second was registered as one "saltation second". At the end of each 5-minute period, saltation seconds were summed and the total was recorded. The total number of saltation seconds recorded during each five-minute period was then divided by 300 seconds to form a dimensionless parameter called saltation activity. Other meteorological variables such as air temperature, relative humidity, and solar radiation were also measured at or near the site.本数据集文件收录了美国得克萨斯州梅多（Meadow）小镇以西26.6公里处沙质站点（坐标33.3214，-102.4908）的风成沙粒输运（aeolian sand transport）与气象条件实测数据。数据采集工作于2002年9月24日至2003年5月1日期间连续开展。采样系统由一座2米高的气象塔组成，塔上搭载R.M. Young风速仪（型号05103），可测量风向、风速、风速标准差与最大阵风。所有气象变量以1 Hz频率采样，并每5分钟进行一次汇总统计。风成沙粒输运通过Sensit压电跃移（saltation）传感器进行检测：在活跃跃移时段，该传感器的换能器会输出信号，以此作为风成沉积物输运的指示指标。跃移颗粒撞击传感器所产生的每一个脉冲信号均会被捕捉；若某一秒内检测到至少一次撞击，则该秒被记为1个“跃移秒”。每5分钟时段结束后，累计该时段内的跃移秒总数，将其除以300秒，得到一个无量纲参数，命名为跃移活动度（saltation activity）。此外，该站点及其附近区域还同步测量了气温、相对湿度、太阳辐射等其他气象变量。