Effects of freeze–thaw cycles on soil N_2O concentration and flux in the permafrost regions of the Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau

Nitrous oxide(N_2 O) is one of the most important greenhouse gases in the atmosphere; freeze–thaw cycles(FTCs) might strongly influence the emission of soil N_2 O on the Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau(QTP). However, there is a lack of in situ research on the characteristics of soil N_2 O concentration and flux in response to variations in soil properties caused by FTCs.Here, we report the effect of FTC-induced changes in soil properties on the soil N_2 O concentration and flux in the permafrost region of the higher reaches of the Shule River Basin on the northeastern margin of the QTP. We measured chemical properties of the topsoil, activities of soil microorganisms, and air temperature(AT), as well as soil N_2 O concentration and flux, over an annual cycle from July 31, 2011, to July 30, 2012. The results showed that soil N_2 O concentration was significantly affected by soil temperature(ST), soil moisture(SM), soil salinity(SS), soil polyphenol oxidase(SPO), soil alkaline phosphatase(SAP), and soil culturable actinomycetes(SCA), ranked as SMSSSTSPOSAPSCA, whereas ST significantly increased soil N_2 O flux, compared with SS. Overall, our study indicated that the soil N_2 O concentration and flux in permafrost zone FTCs were strongly affected by soil properties, especially soil moisture, soil salinity, and soil temperature.     

Experimental study of the dynamic behavior of high-grade highway-subgrade soil in a seasonally frozen area

Regarding the freezing damage of high-grade highway subgrade in seasonally frozen area,the thesis explores the effect on the dynamic behavior of subgrade soil under freeze–thaw cycles and draws the change law of parameters(including dynamic strength,dynamic cohesion,and internal friction angle;and dynamic elastic modulus)of high-grade highway-subgrade soil with the number of freeze–thaw cycles.It aims to provide the reference for operation and maintenance of a high-grade highway.Conclusions:(1)Dynamic strength tends to decline evidently after freeze–thaw cycles,with 60%~70%decline after three cycles,and remains stable after five to seven cycles.(2)With the number of freeze–thaw cycles increasing,the internal friction angle fluctuates within a certain range without an obvious change law,only presenting the tendency of dropping off.The dynamic cohesion declines obviously,about 20%~40%after seven freeze–thaw cycles,and then tends to be stable.(3)With the number of freeze-thaw cycles increasing,the dynamic elastic modulus and maximum dynamic elastic modulus are inclined to decrease distinctly.After five freeze–thaw cycles,the former declines 30%~40%and then remains stable.Meanwhile,the latter falls 20%~40%.     

Influence of repeated freeze-thaw on dynamic modulus and damping ratio properties of silty sand

Under repeated freezing and thawing in deep seasonal frozen regions, the stability and strength of the soil are imposed in the form of large uneven settlement, instability and strength reduction, which...     

Rapid grain size coarsening at sandstone/conglomerate transition: similar expression in Himalayan modern rivers and Pliocene molasse deposits

Radical grain size changes between two main units of a sedimentary megacycle in a foreland basin are commonly interpreted to result from changes in tectonic activity or climate in the adjacent mountain range. In central Nepal, the Cenozoic Siwalik molasse deposits exposed in the frontal Himalayan folds are characterized by such a radical grain size transition. Locally gravel deposits completely replace sands in vertical succession over approximately a hundred metres, the median grain size (D₅₀) displaying a sharp increase by a factor of ca. 100. Such a rapid gravel‐sand transition (GST) is also observed in present‐day river channels about 8–20 km downstream from the outlet of the Siwalik Range. The passage from gravel‐bed channel reaches (proximal alluvial fans) to sand‐bed channel reaches (distal alluvial fans) occurs within a few kilometres on the Gangetic Plain in central Nepal, and the D₅₀ ratio between the two types of channels equals ca. 100. We propose that the dramatic and remarkably similar increase in grain size observed in the Neogene Siwalik series and along modern rivers in the Gangetic foreland basin, results from a similar hydraulic process, i.e. a grain sorting process during the selective deposition of the sediment load. The sudden appearance of gravels in the upper Siwalik series would be related to the crossing of this sorting transition during progressive southward migration of the gravel front, in response to continuous Himalayan orogen construction. And as a consequence, the GST would be diachronous by nature. This study demonstrates that an abrupt change in grain size does not necessarily relate to a change in tectonic or climatic forcing, but can simply arise from internal adjustment of the piedmont rivers to the deposition and run out of coarse bedload. It illustrates, in addition, the genesis of quartz‐rich conglomerates in the Himalayan foreland through gravel selective deposition associated with differential weathering, abrasion processes and sediment recycling during thrust wedge advance and shortening of the foreland basin.     

Experimental study on the sampling efficiency of the whirl type separation sand sampler in a wind tunnel

A performance test was conducted in a wind tunnel by changing the principal configuration parameters of a sampler such as the diameter of the container, inlet width and cone height. The results show that the average sand collection rate is from 80% to 90% when any one of the configuration parameter levels is changed. However, the variation of a parameter level results in different ef-fects on the sand collection rate for each soil sample within a certain size range of sand grains. The results show that for various sand grain sized soil sample at each wind speed, the sand collection rate decreases when the diameter of the container changes from 50 mm to 40 mm, the sand collection rate increases by about 2%-3% when the inlet width changes from 10 mm to 8 mm, and the sand collection rate increases by about 3%-4% when cone height is altered from 100 mm to 125 mm. The average sand collection rate is enhanced by 2%-4% for the soil sample of different sized sand grains when the diameter of the container is 50 mm, the inlet width is 8 mm, and cone height is 125 mm.     

Review of the influence of freeze-thaw cycles on the physical and mechanical properties of soil

Seasonally frozen soil is a four-phase material and its physical-mechanical properties are more complex compared to the unfrozen soil. Its physical properties changes during the freeze-thaw process; repeated freeze-thaw cycles change the characteristics of soil, which can render the soil from an unstable state to a new dynamic equilibrium state. The freezing process changes the structure coupled between the soil particle arrangements, which will change the mechanical properties of the soil. The method of significance and interaction between different factors should be considered to measure the influence on the properties of soil under freeze-thaw cycles.     

The flux profile of a blowing sand cloud: a wind tunnel investigation

The flux profile of a blowing sand cloud, or the variation of blown sand flux with height, is the reflection of blown sand particles that move in different trajectories, and also the basis for checking drifting sand. Here we report the wind tunnel results of systematic tests of the flux profiles of different sized sands at different free-stream wind velocities. The results reveal that within the 60-cm near-surface layer, the decay of blown sand flux with height can be expressed by an exponential function: q_h=aexp(−h/b), where, q_h is the blown sand transport rate at height h, a and b are parameters that vary with wind velocity and sand size. The significance of coefficient a and b in the function is defined: a represents the transport rate in true creep and b implies the relative decay rate with height of the blown sand transport rate. The true creep fraction, the ratio of the sand transported on the surface (h=0) to the total transport varies widely, decreasing with both sand size and wind speed. The flux profiles are converted to straight lines by plotting sand transport rate, q_h, on a log-scale. The slope of the straight lines that represents the relative decay rate with height of sand transport rate decreases with an increase in free-stream wind velocity and sand grain size, implying that relatively more of the blown sand is transported to greater heights as grain size and wind speed increase. The average saltating height represented by the height where 50% of the cumulative flux percentage occurs increases with both wind speed and grain size, implying that saltation becomes more intense as grain size and/or wind velocity increase.     

中国北方农牧交错带鄂尔多斯高原段土壤表层粒度特征

土壤粒度是描述土壤性质的重要参数,研究农牧交错带土壤表层粒度对土壤质量和沙化程度评价具有科学意义。对不同沉积物类型及土地利用方式土壤表层(0~5 cm深度)粒度进行分析。结果表明:(1)沙黄土、覆沙黄土残积物、风化残积物中粉粒最多,其次为极细砂和细砂,这3个粒级含量之和表现为沙黄土(96.51%)>覆沙黄土残积物(88.29%)>风化残积物(77.58%);风成沙土壤表层以细砂(53.85%)和中砂(26.13%)为主。(2)平均粒径由小到大依次为沙黄土(4.78Φ)、覆沙黄土残积物(4.62Φ)、风化残积物(3.80Φ)、风成沙(2.46Φ);分选性由差到好依次为风化残积物、覆沙黄土残积物、沙黄土、风成沙;偏度呈现为正偏或极正偏;峰值表明风成沙(2.30)粒径分布最为集中。(3)同一地表沉积物中,砾石和极粗砂等粗颗粒在农田较多,粉粒在草地较多,极细砂在林地较多;风成沙中,粉粒在固定沙丘略多,细砂在半固定沙丘较多,砾石、极粗砂等粗颗粒仅在流动沙丘地中分布。(4)土壤颗粒分形维数表现为沙黄土(2.5242)>覆沙黄土残积物(2.4373)>风化残积物(2.3554)>风成沙(2.2815);地表沉积物类型不同,表层土壤分形维数与粒级含量相关性有着明显差异。     

Experimental investigation of the concentration profile of a blowing sand cloud

Detailed wind tunnel tests were carried out to establish the mean downwind velocity and transport rate of different-sized loose dry sand at different free-stream wind velocities and heights, as well as to investigate the vertical variation in the concentration of blowing sand in a cloud. Particle dynamic analyzer (PDA) technology was used to measure the vertical variation in mean downwind velocity of a sand cloud in a wind tunnel. The results reveal that within the near-surface layer, the decay of blown sand flux with height can be expressed using an exponential function. In general, the mean downwind velocity increases with height and free-stream wind velocity, but decreases with grain size. The vertical variation in mean downwind velocity can be expressed by a power function. The concentration profile of sand within the saltation layer, calculated according to its flux profile and mean downwind profile, can be expressed using the exponential function: c_z=ae^−bz, where c_z is the blown sand concentration at height z, and a and bare parameters changing regularly with wind velocity and sand size. The concentration profiles are converted to rays of straight lines by plotting logarithmic concentration values against height. The slope of the straight lines, representing the relative decay rate of concentration with height, decreases with an increase in free-stream wind velocity and grain size, implying that more blown sand is transported to greater heights as grain size and wind speed increase.     

Experimental investigation on static and dynamic resilient moduli of compacted fine soil

To investigate the static and dynamic resilient modulus of fine soil, and adapting to the new design code and maintenance system of highway subgrade in China, a series of static and dynamic tests were carried out according to the standard laboratory test methods (JTG E40-2007 and JTG D30-2015, respectively). The effects of initial water content, compactness and freeze-thaw cycles on the static and dynamic resilient moduli of fine soil were investigated and analyzed. Experimental test results show that with increasing water content, dry density and freeze-thaw cycles, the static moduli reduces about 10.2%~40.0%, 14.4%~45.5%, and 24.0%~50.3%, and dynamic moduli reduces about 10.9%~90.8%, 2.5%~38.4%, and 0.0%~46.0%, respectively. Then, the empirical mathematical relationship between static and dynamic resilient moduli was established under different water content, dry density and freeze-thaw cycles. The investigation results can be used to determine the dynamic modulus of fine soil by widely used static modulus, which could meet the requirement of adopting dynamic modulus index in new specification.     

Determination of long-term strength of frozen loess after numerous freeze-thaw cycles

In order to determine the changing rule of long-term frozen soil strength and elucidate the connection between long-term strength and soil physical properties,frozen loess was subjected to 4,6,8,10,and 50 freeze-thaw cycles,under closed-state conditions in a constant-temperature box.The frozen samples were tested on a spherical template indenter,and the results show that under the effect of repeated freeze-thaw cycles,the long-term strength of frozen loess decreased; changes in the mechanical property indices were highly unstable during the first 10 cycles; the soil strength and density were the greatest at the eighth cycle while the void ratio was the smallest; and after eight cycles all of the indices had less fluctuation and certain rising or falling tendencies.By converting the number of freeze-thaw cycles into elapsed time in the tests,three different forecasting methods of long-term soil strength could be assessed and the soil equivalent cohesive force after 10 years,20 years,or 30 years could be estimated.     

干旱沙区典型人工植被群落下土壤剖面CO_2浓度变化特征及其驱动因子

对人工固沙植被区柠条(Caragana korshinskii)群落和油蒿(Caragana korshinskii)群落下不同深度的土壤气体采样,主要研究和讨论了不同类型人工植被区下土壤CO2浓度的变化特征及土壤温度和土壤水分对其的影响。结果表明:柠条和油蒿群落0~80cm处的土壤空气CO2浓度随着土壤深度的增加而增加,并且在0~40cm,油蒿群落下的土壤CO2浓度值大于柠条,而在40cm以下则相反。其平均值分别为1 229.3μmol·mol-1和1 242.7μmol·mol-1,大于同一深度流沙下土壤CO2浓度值978.9μmol·mol-1。土壤水分与二者的土壤CO2浓度变化趋势在年际尺度上具有一致性,浅层40cm内油蒿群落下的土壤CO2浓度和土壤水分含量的相关性明显大于柠条和流沙。而在40cm以下,则表现为柠条油蒿流沙。土壤温度对土壤CO2浓度的影响程度一般为流沙油蒿柠条,特别是流沙,在表层达到了极显著的水平,之后随着土壤深度的增加而降低。而土壤温度对油蒿和柠条样地土壤CO2浓度的影响较为复杂,呈现出先增加后减小的趋势。在年际尺度上,土壤水分含量是不同植被群落下土壤剖面CO2浓度的关键限制因子,而在日尺度上,土壤温度则为主要限制因子。据粗略估计,在0~80cm内,柠条和油蒿根系呼吸所占的比例约为30.7%和33.3%。     

Grain size and transport characteristics of non-uniform sand in aeolian saltation

Size frequency distributions of sediment particles in a wind tunnel containing a bed of non-uniform sand are investigated by re-interpreting existing experimental data using particle-size analysis. Each particle sample is classified into one of eight groups according to its size grading. The analysis reveals that the modal shape of the particle-size frequency distributions of the saltating sand at different elevations or longitudinal distances is similar to that of the mixed sand in the bed once the boundary layer is fully developed. The standard deviation of the grain-size frequency distribution increases with increasing elevation above the bed then stays constant, whereas its skewness decreases. The mean grain size decays exponentially with elevation. The aeolian sand mass flux is determined for each size grading at different vertical and horizontal measurement locations. The vertical profile of aeolian horizontal mass flux depends on the size grading. The distribution of the sand transport rate according to the mean grain size in each grading fits the normal distribution. A parameter w_i is defined to reflect the likelihood of saltation for sand particles of the i-th size grading, and the mean sand size corresponding to the maximum value of w_i is found to be 0.2 mm. In addition, wind velocity strongly influences the magnitudes of the particle-size distribution and the sand mass flux distribution in both vertical and longitudinal directions.     

Experimental study on grain size and soluble salt of saline soil in western Jilin Province, China

Western Jilin Province is a typical seasonal frost region, and is also one of the severest salinization areas of China. In this study, we aim to examine the saline soil in Da'an and Wukesong areas, western Jilin Province, and mainly analyze the granulometric composition and distribution of salt in soil profiles. Four sampling sites, two in Da'an and two in Wukesong respectively, are chosen for study. The granulometric composition, especially silt and clay content change in different sites and soil depths are analyzed. Analysis of total and components of soluble salt shows that the surface soil is weak carbonate saline, in which the main cation is Na⁺ and the main anion is HCO₃^-. The total amount of soluble salt presents a decreasing tendency with increasing depth. The comprehensive analysis of granulometric composition and soluble salt shows that the clay content and soluble salt content present similar variation tendency with an increase of depth.     

福建海坛岛青峰老红砂旋回沉积的粒度特征及其古环境意义

福建海坛岛青峰老红砂剖面以棕红色砂层和黄橙色砂层的交替旋回变化为显著特征。通过野外考察、采样和测定分析,对青峰老红砂剖面的粒度特征及其古气候意义进行深入研究。结果表明：（1）青峰剖面棕红色砂层以细砂为主,黄橙色砂层以中砂为主,细砂-中砂在剖面上呈现明显的交替旋回变化;（2）棕红色砂层和黄橙色砂层的粒度频率曲线均以单峰加一细尾为主,含有一定量的粉砂、黏土;概率累积曲线以滚-跳-悬三段式为主,但两种砂层在组分含量、斜率等方面存在差异;（3）粒度参数呈现明显的波动旋回变化,可能指示沉积时期区域风力、搬运动力、化学风化强度方面发生了周期性变化,即棕红色砂层显示了暖湿气候条件下的红壤化过程,黄橙色砂层则显示凉干气候条件下的黄壤化过程。因此,青峰老红砂旋回沉积表明第四纪晚期以来,福建东部沿海的古气候古土壤可能经历了南亚热带（赤红壤）和暖温带（黄壤）的交替变迁。     

呼伦贝尔沙地沙丘砂来源的定量分析--逐步判别分析(SDA)在粒度分析方面的应用

Quantltatively determining the sources of dune sand uis one of the problems necessarily and urgently to be solved in aeolian landforms and desertification research. Based on the granulometric data of sand materials from the Hulun Buir Sandy Land, the paper employs the stepwise discriminant analysis technique (SDA) for two groups to select the principal factors determining the differences between surface loose sediments. The extent of similarity between two statistical populations can be described quantitatively by three factors such as the number of principal variables, Mahalanobis distance D^2 and confidence level α for F-test. Results reveal that: 1) Aeolian dune sand in the region mainly derives from Hailar Formation (Q3), while fluvial sand and palaeosol also supply partially source sand for dunes; and 2) in the vicinity of Cuogang Town and west of the broad valley of the lower reaches of Hailar River, fluvial sand can naturally become principal supplier for dune sand.     

Study of polluted soil remediation based on freezing and thawing cycles

It is generally known that soil pollution poses a terrible hazard to the environment, but the present techniques of contaminated soil remediation cannot control this growing threat. This paper compares the pollutant extraction efficiency of traditional pumping and treating, which is a typical washing technology for the remediation of contaminated soils, with methods that utilize freeze-thaw cycles. In the soil freezing process, water shifts from unfrozen soils to the freezing front, and the permeability of soil will be enhanced under certain temperature gradients and water conditions. Therefore, this paper discusses the purification of contaminated soil through freeze-thaw action. We conducted a cleansing experiment on clay and silica sand infused with NaCl（simulation of heavy metals） and found that the efficiency of purification was enhanced remarkably in the latter by the freeze-thaw action. To assess the effective extraction of DNAPLs in soil, we conducted an experiment on suction by freezing, predicated on the different freezing points of moisture and pollutants. We found that the permeability coefficient was significantly increased by the freezing-thawing action, enabling the DNAPL contaminants to be extracted selectively and effectively.     

The response of drainage basins to the late Quaternary tectonics in the Sicilian side of the Messina Strait (NE Sicily)

Despite more than 40 yr of research attributing temporal changes in streambank erosion rates to subaerial processes, little quantitative information is available on the relationships between streambank erodibility (k_d) and critical shear stress (τ_c) and the environmental conditions and processes that enhance streambank erosion potential. The study goal was to evaluate temporal changes in k_d and τ_c from soil desiccation and freeze–thaw cycling. Soil erodibility and τ_c were measured monthly in situ using a multiangle, submerged jet test device. Soil moisture, temperature, and bulk density as well as precipitation, air temperature, and stream stage were measured continuously to determine changes in soil moisture content and state. Pairwise Mann–Whitney tests indicted k_d was 2.9 and 2.1 times higher (p < 0.0065) during the winter (December–March) than in the spring/fall (April–May, October–November) and the summer (June–September), respectively. Regression analysis showed 80% of the variability in k_d was explained by freeze–thaw cycling alone. Study results also indicated soil bulk density was highly influenced by winter weather conditions (r² = 0.86): bulk density was inversely related to both soil water content and freeze–thaw cycling. Results showed that significant changes in the resistance of streambank soils to fluvial erosion can be attributed to subaerial processes. Water resource professionals should consider the implications of increased soil erodibility during the winter in the development of channel erosion models and stream restoration designs.     

乌兰布和沙漠东北缘地表风沙流结构特征

在国家林业局磴口荒漠生态站长期监测的基础上,利用多种积沙仪,对乌兰布和沙漠东北缘流动沙丘、油蒿半固定沙丘、白刺半固定沙丘、油蒿固定沙丘、白刺固定沙丘5种典型下垫面近地面（0～100 cm）的风沙流输沙量进行了实地观测和对比分析。结果表明：（1） 输沙率（q）随高度（h）增加呈幂函数（q=ah^-b,R²≥0.8409）规律衰减,随风速（v）增大呈幂函数（q=av^b,R²≥0.9256）规律增加,42.8%～70.7%的输沙量分布在10 cm高度内,67.6%～90.0%的输沙量分布于30 cm高度内。当地表植被盖度达到40%以上时,输沙率下降至无植被覆盖地表输沙率的6.6%以下,可有效阻止地表风蚀。（2） 沙物质主要由粒径为50～250 μm的细沙和极细沙构成,各高度层风蚀物粒度组成服从单峰态分布,峰值在100～250 μm。随高度增加,风蚀物粒径范围趋于变窄,粒径趋于更细。（3） 起沙风多出现在WSW和NW方向,占全年起沙风的53.19%。风沙流中跃移输沙、蠕移输沙的空间分布在理论上应与风向频率分布基本一致,差异性主要由各方位风的强度和持续时间等因素导致。研究结果可为该区域防沙工程设计提供理论参考。     

Wind tunnel simulation of the effects of freeze–thaw cycles on soil erosion in the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau

Intense freezing and thawing actions occur in the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau because of its high elevation and cold temperature. The plateau's unique environment makes it easy to generate wind erosion under dry, windy weather conditions, resulting in the emergence of desertification. As a major form of freeze–thaw erosion, freeze–thaw and wind erosion is displayed prominently on the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau. Therefore, in this study, soil samples were collected from the surface of the plateau to undergo freeze–thaw and wind erosion simulation experiments. Results show that wind erosion strength increases with an increasing number of freeze–thaw cycles, water content in the freezing–thawing process, and the difference in freeze–thaw temperatures. Therefore, in the conditions of water participation, the main reason for the freeze–thaw and wind erosion in the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau is the damage to the soil structure by repeated, fierce freeze–thaw actions, and the sand-bearing wind is the main driving force for this process. The research results have theoretical significance for exploring the formation mechanism of freeze–thaw and wind erosion in the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau, and provide a scientific basis for freeze–thaw desertification control in the plateau.