%0 Journal Article
	%A Y. F. Yang and  B. T. Wang and  J. J. Fan and  J. Yin
	%D 2011
	%J International Journal of Geological and Environmental Engineering
	%B World Academy of Science, Engineering and Technology
	%I Open Science Index 59, 2011
	%T A Previously Underappreciated Impact on Global Warming caused by the Geometrical and Physical Properties of desert sand
	%U https://publications.waset.org/pdf/13964
	%V 59
	%X The previous researches focused on the influence of
anthropogenic greenhouse gases exerting global warming, but not
consider whether desert sand may warm the planet, this could be
improved by accounting for sand's physical and geometric properties.
Here we show, sand particles (because of their geometry) at the desert
surface form an extended surface of up to 1 + π/4 times the planar area
of the desert that can contact sunlight, and at shallow depths of the
desert form another extended surface of at least 1 + π times the planar
area that can contact air. Based on this feature, an enhanced heat
exchange system between sunlight, desert sand, and air in the spaces
between sand particles could be built up automatically, which can
increase capture of solar energy, leading to rapid heating of the sand
particles, and then the heating of sand particles will dramatically heat
the air between sand particles. The thermodynamics of deserts may
thus have contributed to global warming, especially significant to
future global warming if the current desertification continues to
expand.
	%P 717 - 722