Aeolian desertification and its causes in the Zoige Plateau of China’s Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau

Studies and efforts to control aeolian desertification in China have focused on the arid and semiarid lands in the north. However, the aeolian desertification that is occurring on the high-altitude Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau, which has a cold and humid climate, has received attention only in recent years. In this paper, we report the results of monitoring this aeolian desertification between 1975 and 2005 and of our analysis of its causes on the Zoige Plateau, which is located in the northeastern part of China’s Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau. Aeolian desertified lands expanded at a compound annual rate of 4.07% between 1975 and 2005. They expanded most rapidly between 1975 and 1990, at an annual rate of 7.73%. Factors responsible for this expansion include increasing temperature, decreasing precipitation, over-grazing, drainage of water systems, and land reclamation for agriculture. Increasing temperature, over-grazing, and the drainage of water systems were the key factors. The climatic variations between 1975 and 2005 were not sufficient by themselves to lead to aeolian desertification. Human disturbances such as over-grazing and drainage of water systems must thus have been primarily responsible for the observed changes, and human behavior must be adjusted to control the expansion of aeolian desertification and rehabilitate the desertified lands.     

Runoff and water budget of the Liudaogou Catchment at the wind–water erosion crisscross region on the Loess Plateau of China

The objectives of this study were to examine the runoff characteristics and to estimate water budget at the wind–water erosion crisscross region on the Loess Plateau of China. A small catchment known as Liudaogou that has representative meteorological and hydrological conditions of the wind–water erosion crisscross region was chosen as the study location. A numerical model for rainfall-runoff was developed and verified; rainfall-runoff calculation for 5 years (2005–2009) was performed. The observed data and numerical result of the surface runoff were used for evaluating runoff characteristics and estimating the annual water budget. Runoff rate was proportional to average intensity of rain. Even though rainfall duration was for few minutes, surface runoff was generated by intensity of more than 2.6 mm × 5 min^?1, when rainfall duration exceeded 10 h; surface runoff was generated by an intensity of 0.6 mm × 5 min^?1, while annual runoff rate was 10–15 %. The unit area of 1 km² was adopted as the index area for estimating annual water budget. Runoff, evapotranspiration, variation of water storage, and habitant water consumption accounted for 20.4, 75.6, 0, and 4 % of the total annual precipitation, respectively. Results of this study provide the basis for further research on hydrology, water resources, and sustainable water development and utilization at the wind–water erosion crisscross region on the northern Loess Plateau where annual water resources are relatively deficient.     

Distribution characteristics and its influencing factors of active layer thickness in Tanggula area on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau北大核心CSCD

多年冻土区活动层的冻融过程显著影响地-气间的水热交换、地表水文过程、冰缘地貌演变及寒区工程建设。活动层厚度的空间分异规律及其空间分布的准确模拟计算是冻土学研究的基础和核心问题之一。作为青藏高原中部东西走向最大的山脉和青藏高原多年冻土的主要分布区,唐古拉地区是青藏高原南部湿润区与北部干旱区的过渡区,该地区的活动层厚度空间分异规律研究对于揭示青藏高原多年冻土区活动层厚度整体空间分布规律具有重要意义。利用唐古拉地区南、北坡两个区域野外实测活动层厚度分布数据,分析了该区域活动层厚度的空间分异特征及其主要影响因素。结果表明,活动层厚度分布的突出特点是空间分异巨大,最小值仅为1.2 m,最大值达到5.6 m。以不同植被类型区活动层的平均厚度为对比标准,其分布特征为：沼泽草甸<高寒草甸<高寒荒漠<高寒草原,高寒草原的平均活动层厚度最大。对比南、北坡,南坡活动层厚度普遍大于北坡。Stefan方程的计算结果表明,活动层厚度的变化速率随土壤含水率的变化最大,其次为土壤热导率,而随地表融化指数的变化最小。实测土壤含水率、探坑数据及地表融化指数与活动层厚度分布关系表明,影响活动层厚度空间分异的最为敏感的因素为土壤含水率,其次为土壤热导率,地表融化指数的敏感性最小。     

Distribution,stock, and influencing factors of soil organic carbon in an alpine meadow in the hinterland of the Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau

Understanding the spatial distribution, stocks, and influencing factors of soil organic carbon (SOC) is important for understanding the current situation of SOC in alpine meadow ecosystems on the Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau (QTP). We sampled 23 soil profiles to a depth of 50 cm in a 33.5 hm\(^{2}\) plot in a typical meadow on the central QTP. The distribution, stock and influencing factors of SOC was then analyzed. The mean density of soil carbon content (SOCD) was 2.28 kg m\(^{-2}\) with a range of 5.99 kg  m\(^{-2}\). SOCD in the 0–10 cm layer was 3.94 kg m\(^{-2}\) and decreased quadratically with depth. The total stock of SOC to a depth of 50 cm was ca. 2950 t, the 0–10 and 0–30 cm layers accounting for 38 and 80%, respectively. SOCD varied moderately spatially and was distributed more homogeneously in the 0–10 and 40–50 cm layers but was more variable in the middle three layers. SOCD was significantly correlated positively with soil-water content, total porosity, and silt content and negatively with soil pH, bulk density, stone content and sand content. This study provides an important contribution to understanding the role of alpine meadows in the global carbon cycle. It also provides field data for model simulation and the management of alpine meadow ecosystems.     

Using LMDI method to analyze the influencing factors of carbon emissions in China’s petrochemical industries

China’s petrochemical industries are playing an important role in China’s economic development. However, the industries consume large amounts of energy and have become primary sources of carbon emission. In this paper, the change in carbon emissions from China’s petrochemical industries between 2000 and 2010 was quantitatively analyzed with the Log-Mean Divisia Index method, which was decomposed into economic output effect, industrial structural effect and technical effect. The results show that economic output effect is the most important factor driving carbon emission growth in China’s petrochemical industries; industrial structural effect has certain decrement effect on carbon emissions; adjustment of industrial structure by developing low-carbon emission industrial sectors may be a better choice for reducing carbon emissions; and the impact of technical effect varies considerably without showing any clear decrement effect trend over the period of year 2000–2010. The biggest challenge is how to make use of these factors to balance the relationship between economic development and carbon emissions. This study will promote a more comprehensive understanding of the inter-relationships of economic development, industrial structural shift, technical effect and carbon emissions in China’s petrochemical industries and is helpful for exploration of relevant strategies to reduce carbon emissions.

     

Using LMDI method to analyze the influencing factors of carbon emissions in China’s petrochemical industries

China’s petrochemical industries are playing an important role in China’s economic development. However, the industries consume large amounts of energy and have become primary sources of carbon emission. In this paper, the change in carbon emissions from China’s petrochemical industries between 2000 and 2010 was quantitatively analyzed with the Log-Mean Divisia Index method, which was decomposed into economic output effect, industrial structural effect and technical effect. The results show that economic output effect is the most important factor driving carbon emission growth in China’s petrochemical industries; industrial structural effect has certain decrement effect on carbon emissions; adjustment of industrial structure by developing low-carbon emission industrial sectors may be a better choice for reducing carbon emissions; and the impact of technical effect varies considerably without showing any clear decrement effect trend over the period of year 2000–2010. The biggest challenge is how to make use of these factors to balance the relationship between economic development and carbon emissions. This study will promote a more comprehensive understanding of the inter-relationships of economic development, industrial structural shift, technical effect and carbon emissions in China’s petrochemical industries and is helpful for exploration of relevant strategies to reduce carbon emissions.     

Assessment of changes in the area of the water conservation forest in the Qilian Mountains of China’s Gansu province, and the effects on water conservation

The Qilian Mountains water conservation forest in Gansu province is an important ecological barrier surrounding the oasis in China’s Hexi Corridor. The water they provide is the basis for the existence and sustainable socioeconomic development of those oases. As a result of unsustainable use of the water conservation forest until the 1980s, the oasis ecosystems of the Hexi region were seriously damaged, and the oasis areas experienced deterioration of their ecological environment. In this paper, Landsat images were used to monitor the temporal and spatial changes in area of water conservation in Qilian Mountains of China’s Gansu province and to assess the effect on water conservation by analyzed relationship between water conservation forest area, climatic data and hydrological data. The results showed that the forest covered 15.1% of the study area in 2007 and has followed different trends during the study period. From 1978 to 1990, the forest area decreased; however, from 1990 to 2007, the forest area increased, with a faster rate of increase from 1990 to 2000, and the rate of increase averaged 2,733.89 ha per year since 1990. The water conservation forest appears to play an important role in flood control, runoff regulation, the prevention of soil erosion, and water conservation; and these benefits increase with an increasing area of forest.     

Streamflow changes and its influencing factors in the mainstream of the Songhua River basin,Northeast China over the past 50 years

The Songhua River plays a key role in the national development of China, owing to its unique natural condition and resources. Recent changes in the streamflow in the Songhua River are important with regard to local sustainable development and management under the background of global warming and aggravating soil erosion. In order to detect changes in the streamflow, two streamflow series from 1955 to 2004 (observed at the Harbin and Jiamusi stations) in the mainstream of Songhua River basin were obtained, and methods of statistical analysis, wavelet transform, and double mass analysis were employed to analyze the data. Reasons for the changes to the streamflow are discussed with respect to natural and man-made drivers. The results show the following: (1) From 1955 to 2004, the streamflow series present obvious declining trends. (2) The streamflow series followed the pattern of a wet–dry–wet–dry cycle pattern over the past 50 years. In the mainstream of Songhua River, wet years mainly occurred during the periods of 1955–1966 and 1984–1993, while dry years mainly occurred in the 1970s and after 2000. (3) Within the 50-year scale, the streamflow series appeared in the main periods of circa 33-, 13- and 4-year, in which the 33-year periodicity is the strongest. (4) Precipitation and temperature directly influenced the streamflow in the mainstream of the basin. The discharge was positively correlated with the precipitation and negatively correlated with the temperature. In addition, human activity was another important driving factor for streamflow change. (5) In the mainstream of Songhua River basin, the influences on streamflow can be divided into three periods: 1955–1976, 1977–1997, and 1998–2004. In the first period climate change played a dominant role, and during the latter two periods human influences were enhanced significantly.     

Influences of revegetation mode on soil water dynamic in gully slope of the Chinese Loess hilly–gully region

Gully slope is one of the most active areas of soil erosion in small watershed of the Chinese Loess hilly–gully region. Although its soil erosion has been effectively controlled with the implementation of the “Grain-for-Green Program” in this region, the soil water storage and distribution have been also impacted. In particular, unreasonable revegetation model has aggravated the water shortage, which may in turn threaten the health of ecosystems. However, yet little is known about the effect mechanism of vegetation on soil water in the gully slope. In this study, we examined the relationship between two revegetation modes, including afforestation (i.e. black locust forest) and natural revegetation (i.e. the grassland), and soil water in a depth of 0–120 cm of the gully slope, during the rainy season. The results showed that the effect of the vegetation to the soil water was smaller than that of the precipitation. Furthermore, the response of soil water to the environmental factors was higher in afforestation vegetation due to its lower soil water content, resulting in higher space dependence for soil water, compared to the natural revegetation. The lower soil water content of the black locust forest was mainly caused by its higher recession rate, not its supply. The soil water was deficient for a long time, caused by afforestation, with a shallower formation depth of the dried soil layer and stronger desiccation degree. However, this deficient could not be effectively relieved until in wet year. In comparison with the ridge slope, the effect of vegetation to soil water in gully slope was stronger, with greater water consumption in afforestation vegetation and the higher water storage in natural revegetation. From the aspect of water resources conservation on the water scale, the natural revegetation was the optimal revegetation mode in the gully slope of the loess hilly region.

     

Red clay deposits on the Chinese Loess Plateau during 11.0–2.6?Ma and its implications for long-term evolution of East Asian monsoon

Loess and red clay on the Chinese Loess Plateau have produced a detailed history of the East Asia monsoon for the past eight million years. Recently, a well-conserved red clay sequence was discovered at Shilou on the eastern edge of Chinese Loess Plateau, extending the monsoon history back to approximately 11 Ma. By comparing lithologic features, particle size distribution, magnetic susceptibility and deposition rate of Shilou red clay sequence, the paleomonsoon evolution from 11 to 2.6 Ma can be divided into four stages: largely fluctuated stage (11.0–8.0 Ma), relatively strengthened period (8.0–6.5 Ma), extremely changed stage (6.5–4.9 Ma) and further intensified period (4.9–2.6 Ma). The new evidence indicates that variation of paleomonsoon has close relationship with uplifting of the Tibetan Plateau and ongoing global cooling and the consequent expansion of ice sheets during 11.0–2.6 Ma.     

Effect of black locust (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Robinia pseudoacacia</Emphasis>) on soil chemical and microbiological properties in the eroded hilly area of China’s Loess Plateau

Black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia) has been widely planted in the Chinese Loess Plateau for soil and water conservation as an important forest species. This study examined variations in topsoil organic C (OC), total N and P (TN and TP), available N, P and K (AN, AP and AK), and soil microbial biomass C, N and P (SMBC, SMBN and SMBP) contents and the activity of urease (URE), α-amylase (ALA), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), catalase (CAT), saccharase (SAC), polyphenol oxidase (PPO) and cellulase (CEL) in loessial soil of black locust with an age sequence of 5, 10 15, 20, 25, 30, 40 and 50 years in Zhifanggou watershed (8.27 km²), Shaanxi Province, Northwest China. Also cultivated fields and 80-year Chinese arborvitae (Platycladus orientalis) were selected for the comparison. The results showed that soil chemical properties, microbial biomasses and soil enzyme activities varied with the restoration age. After 50-year growth of black locust, OC, TN, AN, TP, AK, SMBC, SMBN, SMBP, URE, ALP, SAC and CEL in soil increased by 262, 193, 345, 22, 36, 210, 136, 85, 90, 108, 288 and 36%, respectively, while PPO decreased by 31%. Soil chemical properties of TN and soil microbial biomass of SMBC were linearly correlated with soil enzymes of URE, ALP and SAC. Moreover, nitrogen fixation of black locusts was not evident before it became mature, but more evident after it reached maturity. The results confirmed that black locusts have long-term benefits on the improvement of soil properties as exotic species on the Loess Plateau for the soil properties under black locusts were greatly improved compared to cultivated fields.     

Influence of the initial water content and dry density on the soil–water retention curve and the shrinkage behavior of a compacted clay

The paper presents the results of an experimental study on the effects of the initial water content and dry density on the soil–water retention curve and the shrinkage behavior of a compacted Lias-clay. The initial conditions after compaction (initial water content and initial dry density) have been chosen on the basis of three Proctor tests of different compaction efforts. According to the eight chosen initial conditions clay samples have been compacted statically. The relation between total suction and water content was determined for the drying path starting from the initial conditions without previous saturation of the specimens. A chilled-mirror dew-point hygrometer was used for the suction measurements. For the investigation of the shrinkage behavior cylindrical specimens were dried to desired water contents step-by-step without previous saturation. The volume of the specimens was measured by means of a caliper. Based on the test results the influence of different initial conditions on the soil suction and the shrinkage behavior is analyzed. The soil–water retention curves obtained in terms of the gravimetric water content are independent of the initial dry density. At water contents above approximately 11–12.5% a strong influence of the compaction water content is observed. At smaller water contents, the soil–water retention curve is independent of the compaction water content. The results of the shrinkage tests show that the influence of the compaction dry density on the shrinkage behavior is negligible. Similar to the drying behavior of saturated samples a primary and a residual drying process could be distinguished. The primary drying process is strongly influenced by the initial water content. In contrast, the rate of the volume change of the residual drying process is unaffected by the initial water content.     

Groundwater recharge and evolution of water quality in China’s Jilantai Basin based on hydrogeochemical and isotopic evidence

We investigated major ions, stable isotopes, and radiocarbon dates in a Quaternary aquifer in semi-arid northwestern China to gain insights into groundwater recharge and evolution. Most deep and shallow groundwater in the Helan Mountains was fresh, with total dissolved solids <1,000 mg L^?1 and Cl^? <250 mg L^?1. The relationships of major ions with Cl^? suggest strong dissolution of evaporites. However, dissolution of carbonates, albite weathering, and ion exchange are also the major groundwater process in Jilantai basin. The shallow desert groundwater is enriched in δ¹⁸O and intercepts the local meteoric water line at δ¹⁸O = ?13.4 ‰, indicating that direct infiltration is a minor recharge source. The isotope compositions in intermediate confined aquifers resemble those of shallow unconfined groundwater, revealing that upward recharge from intermediate formations is a major source of shallow groundwater in the plains and desert. The estimated residence time of 10.0 kyr at one desert site, indicating that some replenishment of desert aquifers occurred in the late Pleistocene and early Holocene with a wetter and colder climate than at present.     

Daily and seasonal stem radial activity of Populus euphratica and its association with hydroclimatic factors in the lower reaches of China’s Heihe River basin

The Vado Carranza dump, located in the Mexicali Valley, Baja California, northwest Mexico, was operated for more than 15 years receiving about 30 tons/day of solid wastes. The disposed wastes were periodically burned in open air. The presence of a shallow aquifer in the area makes the groundwater vulnerable to contamination processes. The purpose of this study was the evaluation of heavy metals content (Cu, Cd, Ni, Pb and Zn) in soil and groundwater in the vicinity of this dump. The results indicate high content of metals in soil, mainly at a superficial level, with the highest concentrations in the areas where burning of wastes occurred. Elevated concentrations of cadmium and copper were detected in groundwater with the highest concentrations occurring in monitoring wells located in the north side of the dump, downward of groundwater flow. Although the high content of metals in soil can be attributed to the burning of waste, other sources of pollution could be the agricultural irrigation in the vicinity of the dump. The program PHREEQC was used to model the geochemical evolution of groundwater. Results suggest that evaporation of the contaminated waters circulating below the landfill is one of the key processes that explain the increased concentration of contaminants in groundwater and its seasonal variations. As groundwater flows away from the dump, evaporation can concentrate the chemicals making the water more toxic. These results are important because they illustrate processes that are likely to occur in landfills located in other desert areas of the world.     

Sedimentary Evolution of the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau in Cenozoic and its Response to the Uplift of the Plateau

We have studied the evolution of the tectonic lithofacies paleogeography of Paleocene–Eocene, Oligocene, Miocene, and Pliocene of the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau by compiling data regarding the type, tectonic setting, and lithostratigraphic sequence of 98 remnant basins in the plateau area. Our results can be summarized as follows. (1) The Paleocene to Eocene is characterized by uplift and erosion in the Songpan–Garzê and Gangdisê belts, depression (lakes and pluvial plains) in eastern Tarim, Qaidam, Qiangtang, and Hoh Xil, and the Neo-Tethys Sea in the western and southern Qinghai–Tibet Plateau. (2) The Oligocene is characterized by uplift in the Gangdisê–Himalaya and Karakorum regions (marked by the absence of sedimentation), fluvial transport (originating eastward and flowing westward) in the Brahmaputra region (marked by the deposition of Dazhuka conglomerate), uplift and erosion in western Kunlun and Songpan–Garzê, and depression (lakes) in the Tarim, Qaidam, Qiangtang, and Hoh Xil. The Oligocene is further characterized by depressional littoral and neritic basins in southwestern Tarim, with marine facies deposition ceasing at the end of the Oligocene. (3) For the Miocene, a widespread regional unconformity (ca. 23 Ma) in and adjacent to the plateau indicates comprehensive uplift of the plateau. This period is characterized by depressions (lakes) in the Tarim, Qaidam, Xining–Nanzhou, Qiangtang, and Hoh Xil. Lacustrine facies deposition expanded to peak in and adjacent to the plateau ca. 18–13 Ma, and north–south fault basins formed in southern Tibet ca. 13–10 Ma. All of these features indicate that the plateau uplifted to its peak and began to collapse. (4) Uplift and erosion occurred during the Pliocene in most parts of the plateau, except in the Hoh Xil–Qiangtang, Tarim, and Qaidam.     

Crystal chemistry of wadsleyite II and water in the Earth’s interior

Wadsleyite II is a variably hydrous magnesium-iron silicate phase similar to spinelloid IV and a potential host for H in the Transition Zone of the Earths mantle. Two separate samples of wadsleyite II synthesized at 17.5 GPa and 1400°C and at 18 GPa and 1350°C have been characterized by electron microprobe, single-crystal X-ray diffraction, visible, IR, Raman, and Mössbauer spectroscopies, and transmission electron microscopy including electron energy-loss spectroscopy. The two samples have the following chemical formulae: Mg_1.71Fe_0.18Al_0.01H_0.33Si_0.96O₄ and Mg_1.60Fe_0.22Al_0.01 H_0.44Si_0.97O₄. Mössbauer spectroscopy and electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS) indicate that about half of the iron present is ferric. Refinement of the structures shows them to be essentially the same as spinelloid IV. Calculated X-ray powder diffraction patterns show only subtle differences between wadsleyite and wadsleyite II. The hydration mechanism appears to be protonation of the non-silicate oxygen (O2) and possibly the oxygens surrounding the partially vacant tetrahedral site Si2, charge-balanced by cation vacancies in Si2, M5 and M6. The unit cell volume of this phase and its synthesis conditions indicate that it may be an intermediate phase occurring between the fields of wadsleyite and ringwoodite, if sufficient trivalent cations are available. The unit cell parameters have been refined at pressures up to 10.6 GPa by single-crystal X-ray diffraction in the diamond anvil cell. The refined bulk modulus for the sample containing 2.8 wt% H₂O is 145.6 ± 2.8 GPa with a K of 6.1 ± 0.7. Similar to wadsleyite and ringwoodite, hydration has a large effect on the bulk modulus. The presence of this phase in the mantle could serve to obscure the seismic expression of the phase boundary between wadsleyite and ringwoodite near 525 km. The large apparent effect of hydration on bulk modulus is consistent with hydration having a larger effect on seismic velocities than temperature in the Transition Zone.     

Tectonic controls of the onset of aeolian deposits in Chinese Loess Plateau – a preliminary hypothesis

Previous studies show that the thick aeolian dust deposits in the Chinese Loess Plateau (CLP) have accumulated since the early Miocene or even late Oligocene. They are considered to provide the best terrestrial record for the onset of Asian interior aridification and the evolutionary history of the Asian Monsoon. However, large variability in the basal ages of aeolian deposits makes the aeolian dust depositional history and the controlling dynamics controversial. Here, we present a preliminary hypothesis for the tectonic controls of aeolian dust deposition in the CLP by connecting the two main uplift events of the Tibetan Plateau and the regional tectonic events with the aeolian dust accumulation history. Regional tectonic events in the Ordos Block (the basement of the CLP) during the late Cenozoic are less recognized as controlling aeolian dust accumulation by sculpting the surface landscape. The stable tectonic environment of the Ordos Block since the late Miocene might have been the main controlling factor that enabled the widespread deposition of the aeolian red clay after ~8 Ma. Here, we hypothesize that because the large-scale monsoon system and central Asian aridity had existed since at least the early Miocene, the accumulation and preservation of aeolian deposits within the CLP are actually largely controlled by the regional tectonic environment and less by climatic factors.