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Carbon dioxide concentration in deserts in northwestern China shows high uncertainty according to results retrieved from satellite observations. Column-averaged dry air mole fractions of atmospheric carbon dioxide (XCO2) from Mar 2010 to May 2010 retrieved by ACOS, NIES, SRFP, OCFP and EMMA were used to investigate the characteristic. The results indicated a higher concentration around the desert than areas where little carbon dioxide is released from fossil fuel. Moreover, an almost equal pattern to areas with high co2 emission was found. From investigating results, it was concluded that it is likely there exists abnormal high carbon dioxide concentration around the desert from satellite observations. Besides, an analysis of ACOS products about Aerosol Optical Depth (AOD) in desert areas with high surface albedo is made. AOD retrieved by ACOS v3.4 is believed to perform well in desert areas with bright surface.