松嫩平原杜蒙沙地地表物质的地化组成及风化特征

本文分析了杜蒙沙地表土样品各粒级组分（全样、>63 μm、63~30μm、30~11 μm和<11 μm）的常量元素组成。结果表明：杜蒙沙地地表物质化学元素组成以Si、Al为主,与上地壳相比,除Si、Mn和Ti外,Fe、Mg、Ca和P严重亏损,Al和Na中度亏损,K轻微亏损;除Si、Al、Na、K外,Fe、Mg、Ca、Ti、P、Mn的变异系数均很高;常量元素在不同粒级中的变化程度按照Al相似文献   

哈尔滨沙尘暴的化学特征及其物质源探讨

对哈尔滨2002年3月20日的沙尘沉降物进行了收集。地球化学元素分析表明,哈尔滨沙尘暴沉降物化学成分以SiO2、Al2O3和Fe2O3为主,三者之和达77.8%,比兰州沙尘暴沉积物高8.72%,比兰州黄土高7.06%。V、Rb、Nb、Ba等微量元素含量要明显高于兰州沙尘,而Ni、Cu、Pb、Zn、As、Sr则低于兰州沙尘。Ca、Na、Sr元素的富集因子明显小于1,为亏损元素;Mg、K、Si、Fe、Mn、P、Ti、Co、Ni、V等元素的富集因子都在1左右,主要是地壳来源,来源于地表土的风力起尘。Cu、Pb、Zn、Cr、Se等元素有一部分来自于地壳源之外的其他污染源;As、Cd和Sb元素的富集因子大于10,为大气污染来源。沙尘的化学组成及富集因子、判别函数、物源指数、地表土的粘粒率、化学风化指标等分析表明,西北黄土的元素组成非常接近兰州沙尘,而明显不同于哈尔滨沙尘,哈尔滨沙尘源区不同于西北黄土及兰州沙尘,其气候生物状况和化学风化程度要明显好于或高于西北沙尘源区。     

镇江下蜀土剖面的化学风化强度与元素迁移特征

对镇江下蜀土剖面的化学风化强度及元素迁移特征进行了研究, 结合与黄土高原第四纪黄土、古土壤、晚第三纪红粘土以及安徽宣城风成红土等典型风成堆积剖面的对比分析, 得出如下结论: (1) 镇江下蜀土剖面经历了中等强度的化学风化, 明显强于洛川黄土以及古土壤, 显著弱于宣城风成红土, 而与西峰晚第三纪红粘土非常接近。下蜀土的化学风化过程及 其与其他风成堆积剖面风化强度的差异主要受气候条件的控制, 气候条件通过年平均温度和年降水量对化学风化的地球化学环境起重要的影响, 其中降水因素在化学风化过程中可能起着更为重要的制约作用。(2) 镇江下蜀土剖面风化过程中, 绝大部分常量元素的地球化学行为 表现为迁移淋失, 仅Fe 和Ti 轻微富集, 元素的活动性由强至弱依次为: P > Na > Ca > Mg > K > Fe²⁺ > Si > Mn > Al > Ti > Fe³⁺; 常量元素的迁移特征揭示下蜀土的化学风化已经完成初级阶段的去Ca、Na 过程, 并初步进入到去K 风化的中级阶段; 微量元素除Sr、Ga 迁移淋 失外, Th、Ba、Cu、Zn、Co、Ni、Cr、V 等均表现出富集特征, 这可能与下蜀土风化成壤过 程中的生物地球化学过程以及粘粒、有机质对微量元素的吸附作用有关。(3) 元素迁移在剖面 中的变化特征揭示, 在0.24 Ma 之前的中更新世早、中期, 该区气候较为暖湿, 兼有干湿交替的特征; 中更新世晚期气候偏干凉, 风化淋溶最弱; 至晚更新世早期则又出现一段明显暖湿的成壤时期, 形成下蜀土剖面中的S1 古土壤层。总之, 中更新世以来本区气候整体上向干凉的方向发展。     

The role of climate and vegetation in weathering and clay mineral formation in late Quaternary soils of the Swiss and Italian Alps

Interactions between climate and soil remain ambiguous, particularly when silicate weathering and clay mineral formation and transformation rates are considered in relation to global climate changes. Recent studies suggest that climate affects weathering rates much less than previously thought. Here we show that the climate in the central European Alps has a significant, but indirect, influence on the weathering of soils through vegetation. The pattern of element leaching and mineral transformations is not only due to precipitation and temperature. Element leaching was greatest in subalpine forests near the timberline; weathering is lessened at higher and lower altitudes. Vegetation, therefore, contributes significantly to weathering processes. The highest accumulation of organic matter was found in climatically cooler sites (subalpine range) where the production of organic ligands, which enhance weathering, is greatest. Patterns of smectite formation and distribution had strong similarities to that of the elemental losses of Fe and Al (R = 0.69; P < 0.01) or base cations (R = 0.58; P < 0.05). Higher precipitation rates and the production of organic chelating compounds in the soil promoted the appearance of smectites. The relationship between climate, element leaching (Fe, Al, Ca, Mg, K, Na), and smectite formation is strongly nonlinear and driven by the podzolisation process, which is more pronounced near the timberline because of the bioclimatic constellation. Climate warming will probably, in the future, lead to a decrease in SOM stocks in the subalpine to alpine range because of more favourable conditions for biodegradation that would also affect weathering processes.     

Formation of river terraces in conditions of high seismicity

We have investigated the river terraces on the left bank of the Irkut river in the Torskaya depression a short distance from the village of Guzhiry. On the basis of lithological-geological findings and radiocarbon datings of buried soils from two sections of the second terrace (12–14 m), we identified nine formation stages of the terrace in the latter half of the Late Neopleistocene and in the Holocene. They reflect multiple changes of the leading exogenous process, implying a variety of the genetic types of deposits (soils, and aeolian and alluvial sediments) during the Early and Mid-Holocene. The formation stages of alluvium are correlated with periods of high water. It is found that the final transition of alluvial to cover deposits is associated with incision of the river to 2–4 m and is dated to 5.2–4.5 cal. ka. We examine the alternation of the natural factors for the formation of deposits of the second terrace of the Irkut river in the Late Neopleistocene and Holocene. One (hydroclimatic) factor implies accumulation of deposits of the alluvial and cover complex depending on climate and water runoff fluctuations, landscape changes, and on variation in the base level of erosion. The other (seismic) factor is correlated with data on high activity of the Tory paleoseismogenic structure, which seems to have caused the lowering as well as the rise of the bottom of the depression at the time of strong earthquakes and, as a consequence, erosion or accumulation of deposits of the channel facies of alluvium. It is established that the chief causes for the change of the terrace’s deposit types were the natural-climatic changes, the character and directedness of tectonic movements, the variations in the base levels of erosion, and the height of floo ds.     

青海湖湖东沙地河湖-风成沉积记录的中晚全新世以来环境变化

青海湖盆地因其独特的地理位置和气候环境,对气候变化响应敏感,是研究环境变化重要的场所。本研究在青海湖湖东沙地获取两个剖面,采用AMS¹⁴C测年,结合岩性、粒径组分和常量元素氧化物及其比值等多指标分析方法,重建了湖东沙地8.4 ka BP以来的环境演变过程。结果表明：除少量沉积物处于中等化学风化阶段外,大部分沉积物处于物理风化和初级化学风化阶段,说明自8.4 ka BP以来研究区气候环境总体上相对寒冷干燥。在千年尺度上,研究区不同时间段的气候环境存在较大的差异。8.4—4.2 ka BP气候相对温暖湿润;其中,8.4—6.2 ka BP河湖相和风成相沉积互层,表明存在明显的百年尺度气候波动;6.2—4.2 ka BP化学风化和淋溶作用较强,表明季风降水较多,径流较强,发育了较为稳定的湖泊沉积环境。4.2 ka BP以来湖泊消失,化学风化和淋溶作用减弱,沉积物从砾石转变为砂质黄土,显示气候较为冷干且波动较大。对比分析表明,中晚全新世以来青海湖湖东沙地的气候变化特征与东亚季风边缘区其他区域基本一致,并主导了区域沉积环境的演变过程。     

库姆塔格沙漠东部复杂地貌地表沉积物化学元素组成初步研究

通过对库姆塔格沙漠东部的沙漠、戈壁、绿洲、湿地、干河床等地貌单元地表沉积物化学元素的分析,研究了不同类型沉积物常量、微量元素的UCC标准值、Ba-Sr含量比值、化学蚀变指数等特征。结果表明：各类型沉积物的元素特征差异显著,但都处于低等风化阶段。库姆塔格沙漠东北端的平沙地、灌丛沙地与北侧戈壁地表沉积物元素特征相近,物源是北山;沙漠东缘沙物质有相近的主元素含量和Ba-Sr含量比值,化学风化特征和Fe、Mg含量自北向南呈现渐变趋势,表明受到偏北风的搬运混合作用,其可能的物源包括南部阿尔金山洪冲积物、东侧的干河床和戈壁。沙漠与敦煌绿洲间的戈壁地带化学风化微弱,区域差异不明显,但不同部位沙物质的元素含量有近源性。鸣沙山西侧的沙物质元素不同于库姆塔格沙漠,而与之相近的党河漫滩相近,因此其最有可能的物源是党河。     

SOIL PROCESSES AND DEVELOPMENT RATES IN THE QUARTERMAIN MOUNTAINS, UPPER TAYLOR GLACIER REGION, ANTARCTICA

Soil‐forming processes and soil development rates are compared and contrasted on glacial deposits in two adjacent and coeval valleys of the Quartermain Mountains, which are important because they display Miocene glacial Stratigraphy and some of the oldest landforms in the McMurdo Dry Valleys. More than 100 soil profiles were examined on seven drift sheets ranging from 115 000 to greater than 11.3 million years in age in Beacon Valley and Arena Valley. Although the two valleys contain drifts of similar age, they differ markedly in ice content of the substrate. Whereas Arena Valley generally has ‘dry‐frozen’ permafrost in the upper 1 m and minimal patterned ground, Beacon Valley contains massive ice buried by glacial drift and ice cored rock glaciers and has ice‐cemented perma‐frost in the upper 1 m and considerable associated patterned ground. Arena Valley soils have twice the rate of profile salt accumulation than Beacon Valley soils, because of lower available soil water and minimal cryoturbation. The following soil properties increase with age in both valleys: weathering stage, morphogenetic salt stage, thickness of the salt pan, the quantity of profile salts, electrical conductivity of the horizon of maximum salt enrichment, and depth of staining. Whereas soils less than 200 000 years and older soils derived from sandstone‐rich ground moraine are Typic Anhyorthels and Anhyturbels, soils of early Quaternary and older age, particularly on dolerite‐rich drifts, are Petronitric Anhyorthels. Arena Valley has the highest pedodiversity recorded in the McMurdo Dry Valleys. The soils of the Quartermain Mountains are the only soils in the McMurdo Dry Valleys known to contain abundant nitrates.     

雄安新区土壤地球化学特征及控制因素

研究土壤地球化学分布模式和驱动机制,是区域生态环境评价、土地资源合理开发的重要支撑。本文利用空间分析和多元统计分析方法,利用土壤地球化学调查数据,探讨雄安新区土壤地球化学分布模式及成因。结果表明：研究区土壤元素普遍富集,Cd、Cu、Pb、Zn、Se和Corg呈明显富集,平均值约为河北平原背景值1.16~1.44倍。大部分土壤地球化学元素分布模式受成土母质、地貌类型、风化淋溶作用等控制,高值区主要分布在冲湖积平原区;淋滤径流、蒸发浓缩、工农业生产、土地利用等是影响土壤地球化学分布的重要因素;重金属和养分元素受人为因素影响明显。因子分析共提取8个主因子,F1因子由造岩元素和微量元素组成,代表自然成壤作用;F2因子由重金属元素组成,与污水灌溉、冶炼制造等活动相关;F3因子由CaO、TC、Ge、Ti、SiO₂组成,主要与硅酸盐矿物风化、次生碳酸盐形成等成土过程相关;F4因子由Cl、S、pH组成,主要受淋滤径流、蒸发浓缩作用影响;F5因子由土壤养分元素和植物营养元素组成,主要受农业种植影响;F6因子由B和Sr组成,主要与黏性土壤的物理化学吸附作用有关;F7因子由卤族元素I和Br组成,主要与地表径流过程相关;F8因子由Hg组成,与当地工业生产以及城镇生活排放活动相关。研究结果清晰地反映了研究区土壤元素地球化学分布模式和主控因素,可为区域规划建设、资源环境评价和合理开发保护提供基础资料和重要依据。     

Weathering as an indicator of the age of quaternary glacial deposits in Tasmania

Comparison of the degree of post‐depositional erosion and weathering to which different landforms and sediments have been subject over time provides a valuable aid to age differentiation of Quaternary deposits. A variety of parameters, including erosional modification both of depositional and older erosional landforms, the weathering of surface clasts and the weathering of subsurface clasts and matrix, has proven useful to Quaternary workers. However, time is only one of a number of factors that control the amount of weathering and erosion that occurs at a site. Examples from the glacial deposits of Tasmania show that if results useful for dating are to be obtained, it is essential to minimise the influence of other factors which may obscure a time‐dependent sequence.     

Middle–Late Holocene Paleoclimate and Weathering History in the Norra Storfjället Mountains,Sweden: Deglacial Record and Soil Stratigraphy Applied to Neoglaciation in Lower Latitudes

The retreat record of the Stabre Glacier into the Norra Storfjället mountains, after separation from the massive Tärnaån Glacier at some undetermined time in the Atlantic Chron, is documented by recessional moraines in the foreland. While poorly constrained by radiometric dating, the age of the middle group of moraines averages out to less than 4000 cal ¹⁴C yr BP, the older moraine group probably of Late Atlantic age, with the youngest deposits of Little Ice Age (LIA). Soils/paleosols range from Entisols (youngest) and Inceptisols (middle group) to mature Spodosols (outer group), existing either as single‐story profiles or within pedostratigraphic columns, buried pedons either surfaced with weathered glacial or mass wasted deposits. Some profiles exhibit convoluted properties which could place them in the Cryosolic order. The physico‐mineral‐chemical properties of soils/paleosols in recessional deposits across this sequence provide weathering indices over the mid to Late Holocene in the Swedish sub‐Arctic climate. It is likely the middle group of deposits represents stillstand of the retreating glacier offset by climatic deterioration with the onset of Early Neoglacial climate which altered the glacial mass balance, at least until termination of the LIA. Correlation to other alpine areas in the middle and tropical latitudes with similar records is attempted and discussed. While the Stabre Glacier disappeared after the LIA, the nearby Tärna Glacier remains extant on the land surface, a presumed result of slight elevation differences between the two cirques which affects storm tracks and resultant variations in glacial mass balances.     

Late Quaternary Alluviation Along Intermittent Streams in Kakadu National Park,Northern Territory

Sedimentation along small, intermittent streams on Kapalga Research Station in Kakadu National Park may have responded to increased base levels following post-glacial flooding of the valleys of the Alligator Rivers. Alternatively, regional climate changes may have controlled sedimentation. Using thermoluminescence dating, we determined that sediments from two streams at Kapalga date from 21.5 ± 4.0 ka. On a third stream, sediments dated from 7.6 ± 1.1 ka, with younger sediments occurring downstream. We interpreted the pre-Holocene dates and the lack of evidence of upstream progradation to indicate that climate variation was more important to sedimentation than base levels. Predicted increases in rainfall variability and in the frequency of high-intensity rainfall under enhanced greenhouse conditions may cause renewed sediment mobilisation. At the outflow of one stream on to the South Alligator flood plain, we found 15 m of sandy alluvia underlying 3-5 m of estuarine muds deposited as a result of sea-level rise. These sandy alluvia dated from about 77 ka at 4 m to more than 300 ka at 19 m depth. These ages are consistent with those recorded on the Magela Creek system, 50 km to the east.     

库姆塔格沙漠地表物质组成、来源和风化过程(英文)

Kumtagh Desert is one of the eight biggest deserts in China, but poorly investigated before our interdisciplinary study because of the difficulty of access. In this paper, 33 representative surface sediment samples were collected from the Kumtagh Desert and analyzed in the laboratory to obtain heavy mineral components and geochemical element contents. Results show that various kinds of heavy minerals are present in these samples, with high levels of epidote and hornblende. Si and Al take up a large part of chemical composition. Compared with the average composition of geochemical elements of the upper continental crust (UCC), except Si and Ca, all elements are depleted to a certain degree; Fe, Mg, Ca, P, Ti and Mn have high correlation coefficients in their contents. The mineral and geochemical composition of the Kumtagh Desert sediments have a similarity with that of rocks of Altyn Tagh Mountains, and the surface sediments of the alluvial/diluvial fans around the Altyn Tagh Mountains and that of the Taklamakan Desert, indicating that one major source of the Kumtagh Desert sediments is located in the Altyn Tagh Mountains. Alluvial deposits and lake sediments in Aqik valley and lower reaches of Shule River are prone to be eroded and transported by the strong northeasterly wind into the Kumtagh Desert, forming another source of the desert deposits. An A-CN-K ternary diagram shows that a weak degree chemical weathering by the loss of Na and K occurred in these sediments, whereas A-CNK-FM ternary diagram suggests that Fe and Mg have undergone a significant chemical differentiation. Physical weathering processes cause easy erosion and enrichment in fine particles for mafic minerals, thus coarse desert sand particles can be relatively depleted in Fe and Mg. The mineral and geochemical composition of sediments in arid regions experiencing less chemical weathering are mostly affected by physical weathering.     

关于南国冰臼群成因的商榷之二

南国冰臼群分布区大量冰川堆积、冰川条痕石及变形砾石的发现，再次有力地证明是“冰臼”不是“壶穴”的正确结论，由冰川漂砾经融冻作用形成的“石海”，与化学风化作用产生的花岗岩“石蛋”地貌特征，有天渊之别，不应混为一谈；边滩是由河流冲积物组成，不能与基岩冰床相提并论；圆滚水钻与急流旋涡及风蚀作用，形成的动力学性质、方向和方式完全不同，不该阴错阳差；节理、构造只影响冰臼的形态和发育程度，不是控制形成的动力学性质、方向和方式完全不同，不该阴错阳差；节理、构造只影响冰臼的形态和发育程度，不是控制冰臼的发育部位，不致于是非不辨，南国地区古冰川遗迹的大量发现，证明距今约二三百万年的第四纪早期确实曾发生过大规模的古冰川运动，为争论了半个多世纪的中国东部中低山区有无第四纪冰川问题，从此画上一个圆满的句号。     

Conditional estimates of the number of podiform chromite deposits

A desirable guide for estimating the number of undiscovered mineral deposits is the number of known deposits per unit area from another well-explored permissive terrain. An analysis of the distribution of 805 podiform chromite deposits among ultramafic rocks in 12 subareas of Oregon and 27 counties of California is used to examine and extend this guide. The average number of deposits in this sample of 39 areas is 0.225 deposits per km² of ultramafic rock; the frequency distribution is significantly skewed to the right. Probabilistic estimates can be made by using the observation that the lognormal distribution fits the distribution of deposits per unit area. A further improvement in the estimates is available by using the relationship between the area of ultramafic rock and the number of deposits.The number (N) of exposed podiform chromite deposits can be estimated by the following relationship: log₁₀(N)=–0.194+0.577 log₁₀(area of ultramafic rock). The slope is significantly different from both 0.0 and 1.0. Because the slope is less than 1.0, the ratio of deposits to area of permissive rock is a biased estimator when the area of ultramafic rock is different from the median 93 km². Unbiased estimates of the number of podiform chromite deposits can be made with the regression equation and 80 percent confidence limits presented herein.     

第四纪环境研究新理论

On the basis of extensive survey to the Quatemary paleosols, soils and weathering layers in the vast northern China and the Loess Plateau, we found some unusually special phenomena of chemical components such as unsuccessive illuvium, twin illuviums, unusually thick illuvium and multi-illuviums etc. According to the analysis on the content of CaCO3 and the data of penetrating experiment, a new theory of illuvial depth or removal depth of CaCO3 in weathering and leaching belt was constructed, which indicates that the time of CaCO3 removing to the illuvial depth is very short,and the effect of time factor on illuvial depth can be ignored. The theory can be taken as a credible foundation for studying many geological and geographical problems in weathering and leaching belt.When the illuvial depth of CaCO3 iS bigger than the thickness of developing belt of soil or paleosol, it can be determined that the paleosol has turned into weathering crust. When the illuvial depth of CaCO3 is bigger than the thickness of paleosol, paleosol is leaching moderately acid soil. When two, three layers or unusually thick CaCO3 illuviums exist in the same weathering section or at the bottom of the same paleosol, there were two or more periods forming paleosol and corresponding climatic stages at that time. On the basis of the equation of relationship between mean annual rainfall (y) and illuvial depth of CaCO3 (x) (y = 305.5x 168.5) determined in the paper, mean annual precipitation during the development of paleosol can be calculated.     

The new basic theory on Quaternary environmental research

On the basis of extensive survey to the Quaternary paleosols, soils and weathering layers in the vast northern China and the Loess Plateau, we found some unusually special phenomena of chemical components such as unsuccessive illuvium, twin illuviums, unusually thick illuvium and multi-illuviums etc. According to the analysis on the content of CaCO3 and the data of penetrating experiment, a new theory of illuvial depth or removal depth of CaCO3 in weathering and leaching belt was constructed, which indicates that the time of CaCO3 removing to the illuvial depth is very short, and the effect of time factor on illuvial depth can be ignored. The theory can be taken as a credible foundation for studying many geological and geographical problems in weathering and leaching belt. When the illuvial depth of CaCO3 is bigger than the thickness of developing belt of soil or paleosol, it can be determined that the paleosol has turned into weathering crust. When the illuvial depth of CaCO3 is bigger than the thickness of paleosol, paleosol is leaching moderately acid soil. When two, three layers or unusually thick CaCO3 illuviums exist in the same weathering section or at the bottom of the same paleosol, there were two or more periods forming paleosol and corresponding climatic stages at that time. On the basis of the equation of relationship between mean annual rainfall (y) and illuvial depth of CaCO3 (x) (y = 305.5x + 168.5) determined in the paper, mean annual precipitation during the development of paleosol can be calculated.     

Nutrient cycling in primary and old secondary rainforests

The popular view of primary and old secondary tropical rainforests is that they occur on infertile soils, have most of the nutrients in the above-ground living matter, and maintain a high production by rapid and efficient nutrient cycling. This paradigm pervades much land use planning rationale in forested areas in the tropics.In this paper, rainforest nutrient cycles are outlined and the methodological difficulties of work on them are emphasized. There is a shortage of information on nearly every aspect. It is concluded that the popular view is not fully justified even from the available data. Some rainforests occur on fertile soils with a high proportion of at least some nutrients below ground. In some cases there appears to be a substantial yearly loss of nutrients from the ecosystem and sometimes nutrient cycling is slow.Rainforest nutrition is immensely complex and shows many differences from one area to another. It is concluded that much more research is necessary before useful generalizations are possible.     

AGE ESTIMATES OF INLAND DUNES IN EAST-CENTRAL LOWER MICHIGAN USING SOILS DATA

Extensive deposits of eolian sand occur deep (>50 km) within the interior of east-central lower Michigan. These dunes are most common in the Saginaw lowland where they are parabolic, with limbs oriented northwesterly. Their presence on densely forested landscapes indicates that paleoenvironmental conditions differed sufficiently for dune formation to have occurred. In a previous study, Arbogast et al. (1997) illustrated that surface soils in the northwestern part of the Saginaw dune field were morphologically similar, consisting of weakly developed Spodosols (A/E/Bs/C horizonation). Thus, these dunes must have stabilized concurrently following regional mobilization of eolian sand. In this study, we present soils data from dunes in the southeastern part of the Saginaw dune field. Surface soils were analyzed at 19 sites in the Deford State Game Area in Tuscola County. Morphologically, the soils within the Deford area are similar (A/E/Bs/C horizonation), indicating that Deford dunes stabilized concurrently. Statistical (ANOVA, KW, factor analysis) comparison of Deford soils and soils to the northwest, however, reveals that significant developmental differences exist between the two areas, with Deford soils being better developed. Given that variables (climate, soil texture, pH) are more conducive for Spodosol development to the northwest, we conclude that Deford soils are older. Thus, Deford dunes must have stabilized prior to their counterparts to the northwest. [Key words: eolian processes, sand dunes, soils, Spodosols, Michigan.]     

Alluvial storage and the long-term stability of sediment yields

Several recent studies have shown general consistency of fluvial denudation rates over long time periods, or historical and contemporary sediment yields of the same general magnitude as sediment yields or accumulation rates over geologic time. This consistency of fluvial sediment export from some drainage basins, despite substantial climate, hydrological, ecological, base level, and other environmental changes, suggests that long‐term sediment yields may be controlled by factors that are independent of and overwhelm environmental changes (e.g. tectonics), or that the fluvial sediment system is at some level dynamically stable. The latter is explored via a model based on the notion that all debris produced by weathering within a drainage basin over any time period is either retained as part of the regolith, transported out of the basin as solid or dissolved sediment yield, or stored as alluvium within the fluvial system. This system is dynamically stable if alluvium is always potentially available for transport; e.g. to be converted to yield, and if regolith development exerts a negative feedback on weathering rates. This supports the argument that the long‐term consistency of sediment yields (where it exists) may be attributable to the storage and remobilization of alluvium, which buffers the system against environmental change. Environmental changes are manifested primarily in reorganizations within the fluvial sediment system, such as variations between net increases and decreases in alluvial storage, and changes in the spatial locus of deposition. These ideas are illustrated and tested using data from the lower Trinity River in southeast Texas.