OSL dating of sediments from the Gobi Desert,Southern Mongolia

The present study focuses on the chronological relationship between alternating dune sand and silty water-lain sediments in the central part of the Khongoryn Els dune field in the Gobi Desert, Southern Mongolia. The 23 m high section evolved from the construction of a natural dam by west–east moving sand dunes and fluvial inundation by a river system from the mountain ranges in the south. To resolve the chronology of events, optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) dating was applied and from sedimentological and geochemical analysis the depositional processes could be characterised. Quartz OSL dating of these sediments is hindered by feldspar contamination. Thus, dating of coarse-grain K-feldspars is applied to provide a more reliable chronostratigraphy. As this fraction might be influenced by signal loss over geological time scales, the extent of fading is measured and corrected for. The resulting ages fit well in a supraregional reconstruction of Central Asian palaeoclimate. The data imply that the basal aeolian sediments were deposited 27 ka ago, while the major part of the profile was accumulated in a rather short period of time around ～15 ka. The temporal differentiation implies that the stratification of aeolian and fluvial sediments is not caused by long term climatic variations. It rather represents arid conditions with episodical fluvial activity. Samples between 20 and 15 m depth could not be taken, but it is assumed that this part of the section represents an extremely arid time period with an intensive remobilisation of sand around LGM. A dune overlying the section was deposited during the Late Holocene and represents the ongoing aridity in this region.     

Aeolian dust transport and deposition over crete and adjacent parts of the mediterranean sea

Monitoring of dust deposition at several stations on Crete over a three year period has shown that the present-day depositional flux is of the order of 10-100 gm⁻² yr⁻¹. Most of the dust deposition takes place during a few annual dust [events] which typically last for 1-3 days. Dust haze episodes are usually associated with southerly or southwesterly winds which transport fine sediment from North Africa. Dust is raised by a wide variety of meteorological conditions which generate strong near-surface winds in the source areas, but major long-range transport events are often associated with cold fronts linked to the passage of deep mid-latitude depressions during winter and spring. Dust haze frequency and deposition rates are highest in western Crete and decrease towards the east, suggesting that transport from Tunisia and neighbouring parts of North Africa is particularly important. The measured rate of dust deposition is well below the minimum level required for loess formation. Deposits which have previously been identified as loess are shown to be uncemented marine marls of Tertiary age. Laboratory analysis of red soils, surface sediments, and bedrock samples has confirmed that many of the soils contain an important aeolian dust component, but it is concluded that a more important source of soil parent material is provided by weathering of local rocks. Many of the soils contain significant amounts of quartz sand which cannot have been transported across the sea from North Africa. Reworking of weathered material and deposited dust is extensive, and is accomplished by both aeolian and fluvial processes. Tectonically-controlled depressions in the mountains and parts of the coastal lowlands have acted as long-term sinks in which a thickness of several metres of sediment and soil has accumulated during the Quaternary.     

戈壁地区夏季碳和水热循环及其湍流特征

本文利用2006年夏季大气边界层观测资料,采用涡动相关法分析了我国西北地区戈壁下垫面碳收支及水热循环的规律和特征,并分析了大气湍流特征.结果表明:夏季白天的CO2湍流通量呈逆输送特征,即CO2白天向下输送,夜间向上输送,平均数值为-0.199 mg·m-2·s-1,整体上表现为碳汇;戈壁地区湿度小,其数值受水平来流的影响较大,日变化特征不明显;温度的归一化标准差与稳定度参数的关系满足Monin-Obukhov Similarity (MOS)理论;温度和CO2的能谱相似;互谱uc与uθ,wc与wθ相似;水汽和CO2的输送主要受水平方向湍流的影响.     

Structures of subgrade/pavement and construction techniques for the Taklimakan Desert Highway

With lots of indoor and outdoor experiments, several key technical issues in construc-tion of the Desert Highway have been solved satisfactorily, on the basis of great achievements ofthe studies in respects of dry compaction on sand base, design parameters, structure combinationof subgrade and pavement, stabilization analysis of sand base strengthened with geotextile and acomplete set of construction techniques. It is the first time the achievements of the study weresuccessfully applied in the Taklimakan Desert where the natural condition is extremely harsh. Ithas been proved that it is economic and reasonable with reliable techniques and simple construc-tion methods. The Desert Highway constructed with the achievements is the first-grade highwayrunning through huge migratory desert for long distance in the world.     

Structures of subgrade/pavement and construction techniques for the Taklimakan Desert Highway

With lots of indoor and outdoor experiments, several key technical issues in construction of the Desert Highway have been solved satisfactorily, on the basis of great achievements of the studies in respects of dry compaction on sand base, design parameters, structure combination of subgrade and pavement, stabilization analysis of sand base strengthened with geotextile and a complete set of construction techniques. It is the first time the achievements of the study were successfully applied in the Taklimakan Desert where the natural condition is extremely harsh. It has been proved that it is economic and reasonable with reliable techniques and simple construction methods. The Desert Highway constructed with the achievements is the first-grade highway running through huge migratory desert for long distance in the world.     

Characteristics and dynamics of the soil seed bank at the north edge of Taklimakan Desert

In order to understand the potential of revegetation of halophytic community at the north edge of Taklimakan Desert, the species structure, storage capacity, the vertical distribution pattern and seasonal dynamics of soil seed bank and their interrelationship with community structure of above-ground plants were investigated. The results show that (i) 9 species were identified from seed bank in different seasons indicating that plant composition in this area was simple. (ii) The seed density in soil was 222±10.79 grain/m² on average, and showed a seasonal variation range from 132±8.16 grain/m² in summer to 303±12.70 grain/m² in autumn. (iii) The similarity coefficient between soil seed bank and above-ground vegetation was 0.778. (iv) Vertically, seed densities declined with soil depth. 82.4% of total seeds were found in the top 3 cm of soil profile. No active seeds were found in soil profile below 6 cm. It is concluded that the seed bank at the north edge of Taklimakan Desert contains active seeds of all plant species observed on above ground, and is able to supply potential contribution to reconstruction of vegetation.     

Characteristics and dynamics of the soil seed bank at the north edge of Taklimakan Desert

In order to understand the potential of revegetation of halophytic community at the north edge of Taklimakan Desert, the species structure, storage capacity, the vertical distribution pattern and seasonal dynamics of soil seed bank and their interrelationship with community structure of above-ground plants were investigated. The results show that (i) 9 species were identified from seed bank in different seasons indicating that plant composition in this area was simple. (ii) The seed density in soil was 222±10.79 grain/m2 on average, and showed a seasonal variation range from 132±8.16 grain/m2 in summer to 303±12.70 grain/m2 in autumn. (iii) The similarity coefficient between soil seed bank and above-ground vegetation was 0.778. (iv) Vertically, seed densities declined with soil depth. 82.4% of total seeds were found in the top 3 cm of soil profile. No active seeds were found in soil profile below 6 cm. It is concluded that the seed bank at the north edge of Taklimakan Desert contains active seeds of all plant species observed on above ground, and is able to supply potential contribution to reconstruction of vegetation.     

Trapping of airborne dust by mosses in the Negev Desert,Israel

Airborne silt and clay containing calcium carbonate, quartz, clays, marine nannoplankton, and aquatic diatoms are trapped among stems of mosses in the Negev Highlands Desert. The mosses were studied in an area with 70 mm mean annual rainfall. They grow over the particles covering them and trap additional dust as it comes, resulting in the accumulation of loess sediments. The mosses protect the accumulated soil from erosion by wind or water. Remnants of the moss leaves and stems were found at a depth of 15 mm and more. No particles or minerals typical to basalt were found in the moss-trapped soil. The function of cushiony mosses may be used to explain the processes of loess trapping and protection in larger areas in moister areas such as the Northern Negev. Microscopic fossils in the dust may be used as guides to the origin of the (aeolian) sediments.     

Simulating the global transport of nitrogen oxides emissions from aircraft

With the atmosphere general circulation model ECHAM the passive transport of NO_x emitted from global subsonic air traffic and the NO_x concentration change due to these emissions are investigated. The source of NO_x is prescribed according to an aircraft emission data base. The sink of NO_x is parameterized as an exponential decay process with globally constant lifetime. Simulations in perpetual January and July modes are performed. Both the resulting mean and the standard deviation of the NO_x mass mixing ratio are analysed. In January horizontal dispersion is more pronounced and vertical mixing is smaller than in July. In both cases the resulting quasi-stationary fields of the mass mixing ratio display a pronounced zonal asymmetry. The variability accounts up to 30% of the mean field.     

Influence of advection on the characteristics of turbulence over uneven surface in the oasis and the Gobi Desert

Utilizing experimental data of the atmospheric surface layer in the Gobi Oasis of Jinta in a comparative study, we demonstrate that under the condition of unstable stratification, the normalization variances of temperature in the oasis and Gobi Desert meet 1/3(z/Λ)(z/Λ)while normalization variances of both humidity and CO2 in the oasis meet(z)sz\Λ-1/3;s s z Λ the normalization variance of temperature in the oasis is large due to disturbance by advection, whereas variance of CO2 in the Gobi Desert has certain degree of deviation relative to Monin-Obukhov(M-O) scaling, and humidity variance completely deviates from variance M-O scaling. The above result indicates that under the condition of advection, humidity variance meets the relationsm sA sB D and it is determined by relative magnitude of scalar variance of advection transport. Our study reveals that, if the scalar variance of humidity or CO2 transported by advection is much larger than local scalar variance, observation value of scalar variance will deviate from M-O scaling; when scalar variance of advection transport is close to or less than local scalar variance, the observation value of scalar variance approximately meets M-O scaling.     

The transport and deposition of debris from nuclear test explosions

Fine debris from nuclear test explosions is removed from the atmosphere by dry deposition or by rainwater. The relative importance of these two mechanisms is considered and the conclusion is reached that, in middle latitudes, at least 80% of the fision product activity in soil has been brought down in rain. The average life of a small particle in the troposphere is deduced from the rate of decrease of air concentration and from the relation between air and rainwater activities and lies in the range 30–60 days. The factors influencing the attachment of a particle to a raindrop are discussed in the light of the most recent data and tentative conclusions are reached on the comparative efficiences of the three processes:

1. 1.
   Attachment to cloud droplets by Brownian motion.     
   
   

A simple model accounting for the uptake,transport, and deposition of wind‐eroded mineral particles in the hyperarid coastal Atacama Desert of northern Chile

As previously observed in marine sediments collected downwind of African or South American continental sources, recent studies of sediment cores collected at the bottom of Mejillones Bay in north Chile (23°S) show a laminated structure in which the amount of particles of aeolian origin and their size create significant differences between the layers. This suggests inter‐annual to inter‐decadal variations in the strength of the local southerly winds responsible for (1) the erosion of the adjacent hyperarid surface of the Mejillones Pampa, and (2) the subsequent transport of the eroded particles towards the bay. A simple model accounting for the vertical uptake, transport, and deposition of the particles initially set into motion by wind at the surface of the pampa is proposed. This model, which could be adapted to other locations, assumes that the initial rate of (vertical) uptake is proportional to the (horizontal) saltation flux quantified by means of White's equation, that particles are lifted to a height (H), increasing with the magnitude of turbulence, and that sedimentation progressively removes the coarsest particles from the air column as it moves towards the bay. In this model, the proportionality constant (A) linking the vertical flux of particles with the horizontal flux, and the injection height (H) control the magnitude and size distribution of the deposition flux in the bay. Their values are determined using the wind speed measured over the pampa and the size distribution of particles collected in sediment traps deployed in the bay as constraints. After calibration, the model is used to assess the sensitivity of the deposition flux to the wind intensity variations. The possibility of performing such quantitative studies is necessary for interpreting precisely the variability of the aeolian material in the sediment cores collected at the bottom of Mejillones Bay. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Airborne dust deposition in the Okavango Delta,Botswana, and its impact on landforms

This study investigated the local‐scale generation and movement of dust in the seasonal swamps of the Okavango Delta, Botswana, with a view to examining possible transfer of material between ?ood plains and islands. It was found that most of the dust load was carried in the lowest 3 m of the air column, and consisted mainly of amorphous silica, indicating that dust was generated largely on the ?ood plains. Dust loads were found to be highest above the ?ood plains and lowest over the interiors of islands, probably due to the baf?ing effect of the island trees on wind velocity. The contrast in dust loads between islands and ?ood plains suggests that there is a net transfer of dust from ?ood plains to islands, but it was not possible to quantify this transfer. It is evident, however, that ?ood plains experience net erosion and islands net aggradation. A strong seasonality in dust loads was observed, with the maximum dust loads coinciding with maximum wind velocity in October. This also coincides with peak seasonal ?ooding in the delta, and only non‐inundated ?ood plains are capable of generating dust. Years of low ?ood therefore appear to be more dusty. There may also be transfer of material from higher‐lying to lower‐lying ?ood plains, which may reduce the topographic contrast on the ?ood plains. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Biological response to coastal upwelling and dust deposition in the area off Northwest Africa

Nutrient supply in the area off Northwest Africa is mainly regulated by two processes, coastal upwelling and deposition of Saharan dust. In the present study, both processes were analyzed and evaluated by different methods, including cross-correlation, multiple correlation, and event statistics, using remotely sensed proxies of the period from 2000 to 2008 to investigate their influence on the marine environment. The remotely sensed chlorophyll-a concentration was used as a proxy for the phytoplankton biomass stimulated by nutrient supply into the euphotic zone from deeper water layers and from the atmosphere. Satellite-derived alongshore wind stress and sea-surface temperature were applied as proxies for the strength and reflection of coastal upwelling processes. The westward wind and the dust component of the aerosol optical depth describe the transport direction of atmospheric dust and the atmospheric dust column load.     

Provision,transport and deposition of debris in urban waterways

The transport of woody debris from urban surfaces,through local urban waterways,to constriction and blockage risk locations is not well understood.Flume trials have identified debris and watercourse dimensions as influential factors on debris movement,and large woody debris movement has been traced in the natural rural environment using time series photography,active transponders,and field surveys.Using novel passive transponder technology,small woody debris has been traced through an urban case study watercourse to establish key influential factors on urban debris transport.Through incorporating urban debris transport detail into the source and deposition process,a complete picture of urban debris transport can be created,supporting effective culvert and trash screen design,watercourse maintenance and blockage risk assessment.This case study highlights that factors beyond watercourse depth and velocity are influential in debris movement within an urban watercourse.Debris dimension and source location upstream are shown to significantly affect the potential for debris to reach a downstream constriction,illustrating a possible distance limitation in nuisance flow debris blockage risk.     

Constraining tephra dispersion and deposition from three subplinian explosions in 2011 at Shinmoedake volcano,Kyushu, Japan

Constraining physical parameters of tephra dispersion and deposition from explosive volcanic eruptions is a significant challenge, because of both the complexity of the relationship between tephra distribution and distance from the vent and the difficulties associated with direct and comprehensive real-time observations. Three andesitic subplinian explosions in January 2011 at Shinmoedake volcano, Japan, are used as a case study to validate selected empirical and theoretical models using observations and field data. Tephra volumes are estimated using relationships between dispersal area and tephra thickness or mass/area. A new cubic B-spline interpolation method is also examined. Magma discharge rate is estimated using theoretical plume models incorporating the effect of wind. Results are consistent with observed plume heights (6.4–7.3 km above the vent) and eruption durations. Estimated tephra volumes were 15–34?×?10⁶ m³ for explosions on the afternoon of 26 January and morning of 27 January, and 5.0–7.6?×?10⁶ m³ for the afternoon of 27 January; magma discharge rates were in the range 1–2?×?10⁶ kg/s for all three explosions. Clast dispersal models estimated plume height at 7.1?±?1 km above the vent for each explosion. The three subplinian explosions occurred with approximately 12-h reposes and had similar mass discharge rates and plume heights but decreasing erupted magma volumes and durations.     

High-latitude dust deposition in snow on the glaciers of James Ross Island,Antarctica

High-latitude dust (HLD) depositions on four glaciers of James Ross Island (the Ulu Peninsula) were analysed. The deposition rate on the selected glaciers varies from 11.8 to 64.0 g m⁻², which is one order of magnitude higher compared to the glaciers in Antarctica or elsewhere in the world. A strong negative relationship between the sediment amount and altitude of a sampling site was found. This is most likely caused by the higher availability of aeolian material in the atmospheric boundary layer. General southerly and south-westerly wind directions over the Ulu Peninsula – with exceptions based on local terrain configuration – help to explain the significantly lower level of sediment deposition on San Jose Glacier and the high level on Triangular Glacier. X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectrophotometry was used to estimate the relative proportions of the main and trace (lithophile) elements in the sediment samples. Both the sediment amount and the XRF results are analysed in a depth profile at each locality and compared among the glaciers, suggesting long-range transport of fine mineral material from outside James Ross Island. The distribution of aeolian sediment among the glaciers corresponds well with the prevailing wind direction on the Ulu Peninsula. © 2020 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Gross erosion,net erosion and gross deposition of dust by wind: field data from 17 desert surfaces

Wind erosion measurements were carried out in Nellis Dunes Recreation Area, southern Nevada, USA. Gross erosion (the total mass of sediment effectively blown away from a surface), gross deposition (the total mass of sediment effectively depositing on a surface) and net erosion (the difference in sediment mass before and after an event) were measured for 1 year, on 17 different types of surfaces developed on loose dune sand, compacted sand, loose silt, compacted and/or aggregated silt, rock‐covered sands and silts, mixtures of sand, silt and clay, exposed petrocalcic horizons, gravelly substrata and bedrock. Results showed that net erosion, which is the type of erosion measured in field and laboratory experiments, strongly differs from gross erosion. Activity on a surface is much higher than classic net erosion measurements suggest. Future studies on wind erosion should better acknowledge the distinction between the two types of process. Also, a grain diameter of maximum susceptibility to wind erosion (‘optimum deflation diameter’) near 70 µm as proposed by the aeolian literature only exists for net wind erosion. No such optimum diameter was found for gross wind erosion within the particle range 0–100 µm delineating the transport modes of suspension and modified saltation. In addition, desert surfaces predominantly composed of sand did not show an optimum deflation diameter (for net erosion) around 70 µm. Instead, there was a preferential grain size around 15 µm at which particles were most vulnerable to net emission. Desert surfaces poor in sand showed the classic value of 70 µm. This suggests that interactions exist between the type of surface and the susceptibility of particles to wind erosion. This study is solely based on field data. Although results are supported by two previous wind tunnel studies, more wind tunnel experiments documenting the interactions between gross erosion and gross deposition are necessary. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

High rates of sediment transport by flashfloods in the Southern Judean Desert,Israel

A system has been installed to automatically monitor rainfall, streamflow, bedload discharge and suspended sediment concentration in the arid to hyper‐arid setting of Nahal Rahaf, Southern Judean Desert in Israel. The Rahaf gauging station is located in a relatively steep, wide channel with an unsteady bed driven by flash floods. It is an attempt to deploy modern automatic equipment for continuous sediment transport monitoring in harsh, arid fluvial environments. Unit bedload discharges are the highest recorded hitherto, suggesting they may represent an upper end member in the worldwide climate–bedload discharge relationship. Suspended sediment concentration is much higher than is typical of perennial fluvial humid environments. There is high correlation between suspended sediment concentration and water discharge on an event scale, with diverse intra‐event relations. The sediment yield of individual events is large, but the small number of floods limits the mean annual sediment yield to low values in this arid environment. This also has environmental implications, as large‐scale quarrying requires a long period of self‐restoration in such an arid fluvial setting. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Soil organic carbon enrichment of dust emissions: magnitude,mechanisms and its implications for the carbon cycle

Soil erosion is an important component of the global carbon cycle. However, little attention has been given to the role of aeolian processes in influencing soil organic carbon (SOC) flux and the release of greenhouse gasses, such as carbon dioxide (CO₂), to the atmosphere. Understanding the magnitude and mechanisms of SOC enrichment in dust emissions is necessary to evaluate the impact of wind erosion on the carbon cycle. This research examines the SOC content and enrichment of dust emissions measured using Big Spring Number Eight (BSNE) wind‐vane samplers across five land types in the rangelands of western Queensland, Australia. Our results show that sandy soils and finer particulate quartz‐rich soils are more efficient at SOC emission and have larger SOC dust enrichment than clay‐rich aggregated soils. The SOC enrichment ratios of dusts originating from sites with sand‐rich soil ranged from 2·1–41·9, while the mean enrichment ratio for dusts originating from the clay soil was 2·1. We hypothesize that stronger inter‐particle bonds and the low grain density of the aggregated clay soil explain its reduced capacity to release SOC during saltation, relative to the particulate sandy soils. We also show that size‐selective sorting of SOC during transport may lead to further enrichment of SOC dust emissions. Two dust samples from regional transport events were found to contain 15–20% SOC. These preliminary results provide impetus for additional research into dust SOC enrichment processes to elucidate the impact of wind erosion on SOC flux and reduce uncertainty about the role of soil erosion in the global carbon cycle. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.