石英光释光测年揭示的晚第四纪毛乌素沙地演化

本研究利用石英光释光测年的单片再生法(Single­aliquot Regenerative­dose Protocol,简称SAR)对毛乌素沙地内部西北－东南方向5个风成砂－砂质古土壤剖面进行了年代测定,结合年代框架和剖面沉积相、磁化率及粒度特征探讨了晚第四纪以来毛乌素沙地演化和气候变化。研究表明毛乌素沙地在晚第四纪以来经历了多次沙地固定与活化的交替演化： 距今91.0ka,71.0ka,48.0ka,22.0ka,11.6ka,5.0ka,1.1ka,1.0ka和0.4ka前后风成砂沉积,沙地活化,指示气候干旱,植被覆盖度低; 在距今65ka和全新世适宜期(8.5～5.0ka),沙地固定成壤,砂质古土壤发育,指示气候湿润。另外,剖面中风成砂层数变多、厚度增加、粒径变粗指示了晚第四纪以来毛乌素沙地干旱化趋势加强。     

Plant distribution at the mobile dune scale and its relevance to soil properties and topographic features

A survey was conducted in an 11-year recovery mobile dune (RMD11) and a 20-year recovery mobile dune (RMD20), in Horqin Sandy Land, Northern China, to determine plant distribution at the mobile dune scale and its relevance to soil properties and topographic features. The results showed that (1) vegetation cover and species number increased from dune top to bottom in the restoration process of mobile dune; (2) the average value of soil organic C, total N, pH, relative height of sampling site, very fine sand content and soil water contents (40−60 and 60−80 cm) of RMD11 were less than that of RMD20, respectively, and there were significant differences (P < 0.05) between the two dunes; (3) soil resources were redistributed by shrub restoration and relative height of sampling site on dune. The distribution of sand pioneer plant, Agriophyllum squarrosum, was positively related to the relative height of sampling site and soil water content, while that of other herbaceous plants was positively related to soil nutrients in the restoration process of mobile dune. These results suggest that at mobile dune scale, plant distributions are determined by a combination of soil properties and topographic feature. Much effort should be made to preserve the interdune lowland and to improve the level of soil nutrients on mobile dune.     

The spatial and temporal variability of sand erosion across a stabilizing coastal dune field

This study aimed at quantifying the temporal and spatial variability in sand erosion and deposition over a coastal dune field in Israel. These were measured monthly over 2 years using 315 erosion pins over four transects that were placed perpendicular to the coastline. Vegetation cover was estimated based on aerial photographs and Landsat satellite images, whereas the relative height was based on a digital elevation model. These variables were calculated for the area upwind (south west) of the erosion pins, at various lengths, ranging from 15 to 400 m. Nine geomorphologic units were defined, five related to active units, and four to stabilized units. In active units at least 65% of the temporal variance in the annual absolute changes in sand level was explained by the index of Resultant Drift Potential, with most of the sand movement occurring during winter storms. Local rainfall had no apparent impact on sand mobility, due to the low coincidence of sand carrying winds and rainfall in Israel during the passage of frontal cyclones. As for the spatial variables, only a weak correlation was found between sand mobility with the distance from the coastline (R² = 18%). Rather, sand erosion and deposition were influenced by vegetation cover and the relative height of an area of 100–200 m upwind. The values of Soil Adjusted Vegetation Index were significantly negatively correlated with annual absolute changes (R² = 40%), whereas the relative height was significantly positively correlated (R² = 36%). Applying a multiple regression model, 68% of the spatial variability in sand mobility was explained. The resulting map of sand activity clearly shows that at this stage of the stabilization process, most of the dunes are now disconnected, and movement of sand grains from the beach or between the dunes, is very limited. These methods can be applied into spatial and temporal models of sand mobility, thus assessing the impact of different management practices on coastal dunes.     

Ancient and modern cold-climate aeolian sand deposition: A review

Although partly active aeolian sand sheets and dunes cover large areas in the zones of (dis)continuous permafrost, little precise information is available about the influence of cold-climate conditions on modern aeolian processes. This means that palaeoenvironmental reconstructions in the stabilised, mainly Late Pleistocene dune fields and cover sand regions in the ‘sand belts’ of the European Lowlands and the Northern Great Plains of the USA and Canada, are necessarily still based on ancient evidence. Cold-climate wind deposits are typically derived from areas of abundant sediment supply like unvegetated flood plains, glacial outwash plains, till plains and lake shores. The common parabolic and transverse dune forms resemble those observed in temperate regions. Although a variety of periglacial features has been identified in Late Pleistocene dune and cover sands none of them indicate that permafrost is crucial to aeolian activity. Specific structures in aeolian strata permit tentative interpretation of the moisture content of depositional sand surfaces, the nature of annual sedimentation cycles and the processes by which strata were deposited and/or contorted. But surprisingly little is known about the role of vegetation in the process of sand accumulation. Dunes are most informative with respect to reconstructions of past wind regimes, which offer important data for verification of palaeoclimatic simulations.     

The dynamic characteristics and migration of a pyramid dune

The results of wind tunnel experiments and field observations show that when the intersection angle between airflow direction and dune crest (ridge) line is > 30°, a reverse vortex is formed. Because of the convergence of sand streams from the windward and lee slopes at the crest, sand accumulates in the crestal region, causing vertical growth. Nevertheless, studies also show that the common asymmetry of the two slopes of a dune may significantly influence the evolution of arms of a pyramid dune. The migration rates of pyramid dunes are mediated by the interplay of their arms moving transversely and the vertical growth in response to the variations in wind regimes. Comparing the effects of airflow transverse to a given arm with longitudinal airflow, it is indicated that the transverse airflow is more significant in controlling the arms of pyramid dunes. The whole body of the studied pyramid dune, particularly the upper quarter section, migrated SE direction during the monitoring period. The patterns of wind erosion and deposition change alternately with seasonal variations in wind directions. The W, NE and SE sides undergo constant erosion, deposition and both erosion and deposition, respectively. The results of long-term monitoring of a pyramid dune show that southerly winds, resulting from a local circulation, markedly affect the transverse migration of the whole pyramid dune.     

Sand Dunes Fixation in Baiji District,Iraq

This study was carried out at Sand Dunes Stabilization Researches Station in Baiji district (230km north of Baghdad,Iraq) to evaluate the effects of local soil conditioners manufactured from oil derivatives and plant residuals on sand dunes fixation as the first step for sand dunes stabilization.The results indicate that the fuel oil has the first place in improving wind erosion parameters in the study area,such as increasing mean weight diameter,dry aggregates percentage,the needed time for complete disaggregation by dry sieving,and decreasing the disaggregation rates.Bitumen emulsion occupies the second place ,while the plant residuals occupies the third place and has slight effects on the studied pa-rameters.Effects of conditioners on natural vegetation cover are negative in oil derivatives treatments,while positive in plants residuals treatments.     

Dynamic processes acting on a longitudinal (seif) sand dune

ABSTRACT Field measurements were made on a longitudinal dune in the Sinai Desert in order to understand its morphology and dynamics. The field measurements contradicted the wind structure indicated by the helicoidal flow theory. Rather, it was found that winds coming from two basically different directions at different times and striking the dune obliquely were responsible for sand transport and erosion or deposition along the lee flank.
The essence of this mechanism is the deflection of the wind airflow on the lee flank of the dune to a direction parallel to the crest line. The occurrence of erosion or deposition depends upon the angle of incidence between the wind and the crest line. When this angle is < 40° the velocity of the deflected wind is higher than on the crest line or the windward flank and longitudinal sand transport occurs. When the angle is less acute (> 40°) the velocity of the deflected wind drops and deposition takes place on the lee flank.
The angle of incidence in each wind storm is changed intermittently between 30° and 100° along the dune because the dune meanders and because of the sinuous outline of the crest line. In this manner sand transport and erosion or deposition occurs along the lee flank depending on the angle of incidence between the wind and the crest line. As a result of the deflection of the wind the dune elongates at an average rate of more than 1 m per month. Peaks and saddles along the crest line advance at an average rate of 0.7 m per month.
The lack of uniformity in the effects of the wind on both sides of the dune creates a lack of uniformity in the rate of erosion and deposition. This can explain the formation of peaks along the crest line of the dune.     

Soil erosion on a sub-tropical coastal dune complex,Transkei, Southern Africa

A fossil dune complex on the east coast of southern Africa is presently undergoing extensive accelerated erosion, with concomitant dune reactivation and degradation, unconfined erosion (sheetwash and wind deflation) and extensive development of V-shaped, ravine-type gully forms on hillslopes composed of thick sequences of Quaternary (Berea Formation?) dune sands. The sands comprise a thick, reddened, ferralitic sand carapace overlying white, poorly cemented quartzitic sands. Soil erosion has resulted from degradation of the red dune sand cover. Despite the cohesionless nature of the host materials, gully forms developed on dune sands are typologically similar to those developed in regolith or soft bedrock. This demonstrates that gully forms are influenced by the degree of homogeneity, rather than the absolute strength, of the host material subject to erosion. Factors which have contributed to erosion are discussed.     

The effect of unsteady winds on sediment transport on the stoss slope of a transverse dune, Silver Peak, NV, USA

Rapid (10 s) measurements of sediment transport and wind speed on the stoss slope of a transverse dune indicate that the majority of sand transported is associated with fluctuations in wind speed with a periodicity of 5–20 min duration. Increases in the sediment transport rate towards the dune crest are associated with a small degree of flow acceleration. The increase in wind speed is sufficient, however, to greatly increase values of the intermittency index ( γ ), so that the duration of saltation is extended in crestal regions of the dune. The pattern of sediment transport on the stoss slope and, therefore, the locus of areas of erosion and deposition change with the regional wind speed. Erosion of the crest occurs during wind speed events just above transport threshold, whereas periods of higher magnitude winds result in deposition of sand upwind of the crest, thereby increasing dune height. Although short-term temporal and spatial relations between sand transport and wind speed on the stoss slope are well understood, it is not clear how these relations affect dune morphology over longer periods of time.     

Bar and dune development during a freshet: Fraser River Estuary, British Columbia, Canada

Bi-weekly multi-track sonar surveys collected along a 2-km reach of the estuarine South Arm of the Fraser River, British Columbia, Canada, during seasonal high flows document the initiation, development and interaction of dune and bar morphologies. Bedforms of several scales developed in well-delineated fields. Bedforms that appear to fit accepted equilibrium depth-scaling developed in the main channel during rising discharge when there was little local aggradation. During the rising stage, a bar also formed along the tidal shelf of the channel, migrated downstream and expanded into the main channel. Dunes that formed along the bar crest, a region of rapid deposition, lagged flow conditions and were larger than expected based on depth-scaling relations. The larger dunes developed simultaneously, although bar growth lagged dune development and was initially partially obscured by the more rapidly developing dune field. It appears that rapid deposition enhances dune development along the channel tidal shelf to dimensions larger than would be expected by simple depth-scaling rules. Smaller dunes that fit equilibrium depth-scaling relations re-established themselves throughout the study area during falling discharge when there was again little or no aggradation. Bed-material transport rates estimated from the migration rates of the large dunes suggest that, at high flows, the dunes transport the majority of the material found within the bar.     

Wind tunnel experiments of air flow patterns over nabkhas modeled after those from the Hotan River basin, Xinjiang, China (I): non-vegetated

A nabkha is a vegetated sand mound, which is typical of the aeolian landforms found in the Hotan River basin in Xinjiang, China. This paper compares the results of a series of wind tunnel experiments with an on-site field survey of nabkhas in the Hotan River basin of Xinjiang. Wind tunnel experiments were conducted on semi-spherical and conical sand mounds without vegetation or shadow dunes. Field mounds were 40 times as large as the size of the wind tunnel models. In the wind tunnel experiments, five different velocities from 6 to 14 m/s were selected and used to model the wind flow pattern over individual sand mound using clean air without additional sand. Changes in the flow pattern at different wind speeds resulted in changes to the characteristic structure of the nabkha surface. The results of the experiments for the semi-spherical sand mound at all wind velocities show the formation of a vortex at the bottom of the upwind side of the mound that resulted in scouring and deposition of a crescentic dune upwind of the main mound. The top part of the sand mound is strongly eroded. In the field, these dunes exhibited the same scouring and crescentic dune formation and the eroded upper surface was often topped by a layer of peat within the mound suggesting destroyed vegetation due to river channel migration or by possible anthropogenic forces such as fuel gathering, etc. Experiments for the conical mounds exhibit only a small increase in velocity on the upwind side of the mound and no formation of a vortex at the bottom of the upwind side. Instead, a vortex formed on the leeward side of the mound and overall, no change occurred in the shape of the conical mound. In the field, conical mounds have no crescentic dunes on the upwind side and no erosion at the top exposed below peat beds. Therefore, the field and laboratory experiments show that semi-spherical and conical sand mounds respond differently to similar wind conditions with different surface configuration and development of crescent-shaped upwind deposits when using air devoid of additional sediment. __________ Translated from Journal of Desert Research, 2007, 27(1): 9–14 [译自:中国沙漠]     

Expansion and contraction of Hulun Buir Dunefield in north-eastern China in the last late glacial and Holocene as revealed by OSL dating

Optical stimulated luminescence (OSL) study on sand and fossil soils from Hulun Buir Dunefield in Eastern China is reported in this paper. Aeolian dune sequences responded to the climate change by alternations of aeolian sand and dark sandy soils, which corresponded to arid and humid conditions, respectively. Optical dating using the single aliquot regeneration technique with quartz was applied to the deposits. The results indicate that the soils and underlying aeolian sand correspond to the Holocene optimum (HO) and the last late glacial, respectively. Combined with studies of OSL dating of 13 profiles and grain-size, magnetic susceptibility, total organic carbon, sediment color and scanning electron microscopy measurements for two representative sections, indicate the expansion in the last late glacial sand was 10 times that of today. The dune field was not totally stabilized by vegetation cover until HO (10–5 ka BP).     

Holocene Dune Mobility and Forcing Mechanisms at the Northern Margin of the East Asian Monsoon

Dune fields at the northern margin of the East Asian monsoon (EAM), are mosaics of mobile and vegetation-stabilized aeolian dunes. These sand dunes are highly sensitive to environmental change, thus the distribution and the timing of their development may provide important clues to past environmental dynamics. Due to the strong wind erosion and dune migration, long and continuous stratigraphic records are seldom preserved. Synthesizing a large body of events, ultimately producing a relatively complete and high-resolution record, may be a proper method to investigate the dune development history and climate change. In this study, we synthesized a large body of luminescence ages for aeolian deposits from the Mu Us, Otindag, Horqin dune fields at the northern margin of the EAM. The results show that these dune fields, as a whole experienced a most extensive mobility during the early Holocene, followed by a widespread shift toward limited mobility and soil development in the mid-Holocene, and widespread reactivation occurred during late Holocene. The dune developments are directly linked to the effective moisture change controlled by the EAM changes, which respond to the low latitude summer insolation variation. The increased subsidence at the margin contrary to the core EAM, the delay from the feedback of the soil-vegetation-air coupled system, the increased evaporation due to the high temperature all play partial role in the lag of the margin EAM effective moisture change to the low latitude summer insolation. The asynchronous end of the wetter mid-Holocene mainly responds to the southeastwardly shift of the precipitation belt, while the regional sensitivity, response speed and internal feedback also contributed. The correspondence between dune records and North Atlantic drift-ice records of the rapid climate changes implies a close relationship between North Atlantic climate and the frequent dune activity at the northern margin of EAM.     

沙漠—绿洲过渡带近地表风沙过程研究进展

受绿洲和沙漠景观格局的双重影响,沙漠—绿洲过渡带是一个对外界条件变化极为敏感的生态环境脆弱带。沙漠—绿洲过渡带近地表风沙过程及其动态演变直接影响绿洲的稳定和有序发展,在空间上制约沙漠的进退或绿洲的变迁。从沙漠—绿洲过渡带局地小气候、沙尘暴、风沙环境、土壤风蚀、风沙输移和绿洲防护体系建设等几个方面比较全面地综述了近数十年来沙漠—绿洲过渡带近地表风沙过程研究进展,并基于当前沙漠—绿洲过渡带生态环境建设与地方需要等面临的实际问题,分析了该领域今后的研究重点和发展趋势。     

宁夏河东沙地沙丘冻融过程的时空差异

中国的沙漠和沙地部分或全部分布在季节冻土区, 研究沙丘的冻融过程是讨论季节冻结期间沙丘风蚀和形态演变规律的条件之一。以宁夏河东沙地流动沙丘和沙障固定沙丘为研究对象, 通过野外观测和室内控制实验, 分析了沙丘的冻融过程及其控制因素。结果显示： 沙丘的冻结期在11月中旬至3月上旬, 流动沙丘各地貌部位的冻结时长和冻结层厚度均存在较大差异（背风坡面>迎风坡面>丘顶）, 背风坡脚的冻深最大。在季节冻结期内沙丘表层始终不发生冻结, 未冻层厚度的阈值约为10 cm且具有保护冻结层的作用, 流动沙丘迎风坡中在未冻层风蚀后, 地表冻结层融化再被风蚀, 如此循环过程造成其冻结层厚度远小于沙障固定沙丘的冻结层厚度。流动沙丘丘顶和背风坡面的冻结层厚度分别受短时（32 h）和较长历时（15 d）平均气温的影响。野外观测和室内控制实验均证明水分含量低于1.6%的沙丘沙不发生冻结, 冻结层硬度随含水率的增加呈幂函数递增（P<0.001）, 随温度降低呈缓慢递增。     

Temporal variation of soil seed banks in two different dune systems in northeastern Inner Mongolia,China

To assess the potential contribution of soil seed banks to seedling recruitment, and to the vegetative processes of dune systems in semi-arid areas, a comparison of temporal variation in soil seed bank was made between active and stabilized dune systems in northeastern Inner Mongolia, China. The results showed that between-year difference in seed density for the stabilized system was smaller than that for the active one, but there were similar variations with season in seed bank for both dune systems. Furthermore, seed densities of the dominant species on the respective dune type (i.e., annuals on the stabilized dune and psammophytes on the active dune) varied more sharply with season, but more gently in annual variation than those of other phytogroups. These findings suggest that (1) seeds of annuals in the soil of the stabilized dune, or seeds of psammophytes in the soil of the active dune contributed much to seedling recruitment or plant species colonization, (2) the relationship between soil seed bank and seedling recruitment was complex in both dune systems.     

Stabilization of Dune Sand with Poly(Methyl Methacrylate) and Polyvinyl Acetate Using Dry and Wet Processing

Dune sands were stabilized using poly(methyl methacrylate) and polyvinyl acetate and examined using physical and mechanical tests. The California Bearing Ratio test was used to measure the engineering properties of the stabilized materials under dry and the wet environmental conditions, revealing the bearing ratio of the improved dune sands. Our results indicate that both polymers have good potential for increasing the strength of dune sands in the dry state and that there is little decrease in the CBR strength in the saturated state in comparison with the dry state, indicating the stiffness and stability of the compounds against moisture. This is an important point to consider for longevity of roads and road repair and maintenance, because good strength of stabilized sand in saturated sand can prevent early destruction of the road caused by demolition or erosion of the road bed during saturation. The results also demonstrate that the optimum added quantity of polymer for maximum effect was 3% by weight and that the curing time for maximum effect was 28 days. The amount of polymer added was very more important factor for improved dune sand California Bearing Ratio strength in comparison with curing time of the stabilized specimens.     

珠江三角洲网河区低水位时空变化规律

珠江三角洲近30年的大规模无序采挖沙改变了网河区水多沙少、河势稳定的演变趋势,促使河床由缓慢淤积转变为大幅下切,低水位出现明显下降。这种人为作用已涵盖并远超同期河流自然演变的程度,对取水供水、生态保护、航运保障等产生了较大影响。在总结河口三角洲地区水位变化研究的基础上,以珠江三角洲网河区为例,按低水位变化划分为常年潮流段、季节性潮流段和常年径流段。其中,常年潮流段基本不受采砂影响;季节性潮流段依据径流、潮流比例,越靠近枯水潮流界,低水位变化越大;常年径流段还存在溯源冲刷引起的低水位下降。结合水沙变异过程,试图探讨水动力对河床急剧演变的响应机制,以期为通航低水位设计提供依据。     

荒漠地区土壤初始状况对水平入渗的影响

通过对沙坡头荒漠地区人工植被固沙区生物土壤结皮与固沙区外天然沙丘沙以及天然植被红砂、珍珠分布区砂粘土在不同初始含水率（θ_i）条件下土壤水平入渗过程的对比试验研究,探讨土壤质地以及θ i对水平入渗系数（λ_f）、剖面平均含水率（θ_m）状况的影响。生物土壤结皮对降水入渗量的截持作用大于沙丘沙,因而将显著地改变降水入渗过程中土壤水分的再分配格局,减少降水对深层土壤（沙丘沙）的有效补给。通过对土壤剖面平均含水率θ_m与距离湿润锋前缘0～5 cm、5～10 cm处体积含水率θ_fA、θ_fB比较,生物土壤结皮的θ_m、θ_fA和θ_fB分别约为沙丘沙的1．5倍。     

The dynamics of star dunes: an example from the Gran Desierto, Mexico

Observations of patterns of erosion and deposition and surface wind velocity and direction on a 40 m high star dune in the Gran Desierto sand sea indicate that interactions between dune form and airflow as winds change direction seasonally play a major role in the formation of this dune type. Such interactions lead to deposition of sand in the central parts of the dune, giving rise to its pyramidal shape, as well as to some extension of the linear arms. The major arms of the dune studied are oriented NE-SW, or transverse to summer SSE and winter NNW winds. An avalanche face up to 10 m high develops during the course of each season. Flow separation at the main crestline gives rise to a wide zone of lee side secondary flow which moves sand along the base of the avalanche face towards the central part of the dune, where it is deposited as wind ripples migrate into zones of locally reduced flow velocity. Reattachment of the separated flow occurs on the lower part of the N or S arms, parallel to the flow. Spring westerly winds move sand obliquely up the S and N arms of the dune and outwards on the E arm. Large scale flow separation and diversion are replaced by the development of strong helical eddies in the immediate lee of the main crestline which move sand along avalanche faces and into zones of lower flow velocity at the end of dune arms. Formation of star dunes in the Gran Desierto follows a sequence in which crescentic dunes migrating into areas of opposed winds first develop a reversing crestal ridge. Convergent leeside secondary flows are developed, which result in the formation of linear elements parallel to each major wind direction and the concentration of sand in the central part of the dune. Examples of star dunes at different stages of their development can be documented.