Ultramafic rock weathering and slope erosion processes in a South West Pacific tropical environment

Weathering and erosion processes are investigated using electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) imaging and the quantification of geomorphic patterns at the edges of a lateritic plateau overlying ultramafic rocks in the north western region of the main island of New Caledonia (Southwest Pacific). The obtained ERT images document the structure and long-term evolution of the regolith, while source area parameters such as area (A) local slope above channel head (tanθ) and longitudinal river profiles allow the characterization of contrasting geomorphic patterns around the plateau. The geo-electrical profiles show a succession of hard rock protrusions and weathering troughs, whose depth varies greatly. The area–slope relationship allows the distinction between saprolite- and ferricrete-mantled source areas. The former could result from a regolith erosion process by shallow landslides; the latter from a secondary ferruginization process of reworked lateritic debris. The deepest troughs underlie saprolite-mantled source areas above channel heads, which are characterized by a low permeability saprolite, relatively high slope gradient, and lower area/slope ratios. Such source areas generate fairly high runoff, sustaining rivers and creeks with relatively high erosion power. The ferricrete-mantled source areas are characterized by higher permeability and area/slope ratios, leading to lower runoff and less erosion but further chemical rock weathering. The ferricrete of those source areas acts as a protective hardcover against mechanical erosion of the underlying regolith. This ferricrete reworks, at least partly, allochtonous lateritic materials inherited from a previous disaggregated ferricrete that suggests past erosion processes driven by hydro-climatic condition changes.     

东北黑土漫岗区长坡面坡耕地侵蚀产沙沿程变化

Characteristics of soil erosion change along a long slope in the gentle hilly areas in black soil region in Northeast China are discussed. A simplified slope model based on seg-ments was used to analyze the runoff data and soil erosion data observed between 2003 and 2004 over 10 field plots with different slope length in Heshan Farm,Heilongjiang Province. We found that soil erosion rate over long slopes in the black soil region changed alternatively along the slope and creates alternative zones of intensive erosion and week erosion.The exact place of each zone is different for different rainfall conditions. In a year with less and mild precipitation,rill cannot happen within the top 50 m,while in a year with large and inten-sive precipitation,rill can be formed starting even at 15 m from the top of the slope.     

Soil erosion along a long slope in the gentle hilly areas of black soil region in Northeast China

Characteristics of soil erosion change along a long slope in the gentle hilly areas in black soil region in Northeast China are discussed. A simplified slope model based on seg-ments was used to analyze the runoff data and soil erosion data observed between 2003 and 2004 over 10 field plots with different slope length in Heshan Farm, Heilongjiang Province. We found that soil erosion rate over long slopes in the black soil region changed alternatively along the slope and creates alternative zones of intensive erosion and week erosion.The exact place of each zone is different for different rainfall conditions. In a year with less and mild precipitation, rill cannot happen within the top 50 m, while in a year with large and inten-sive precipitation, rill can be formed starting even at 15 m from the top of the slope.     

Effects of iron mining on surface water quality in the Schefferville area

Iron mining in the Schefferville, Quebec, area has resulted in the disruption of some small surface drainage systems and the discharge of large amounts of pumped groundwater into them. Major ion concentrations in surface waters is controlled by the occurrence of the Denault (dolomite) formation, and little change is caused by the mining activities. Acidification of some of the waters by acid precipitation is a potential problem, but no health hazards are likely to accrue from the effects of iron mining on the surface water quality.     

华北平原浅层地下水水位动态变化

利用中日合作项目在华北平原设置的自动监测设备KADEC-MIZU Ⅱ型地下水水位自计仪,对2004-2006年39处浅层地下水水位监测的结果,结合区域影响地下水宏观动态类型的主要因素,如地形地貌、地下水埋深、地下水开采程度、地下水漏斗以及河流湖泊等,叠加各影响因素分区图得到地下水动态影响因素综合分区图,结合观测孔地下水水位体现的动态特征,将华北平原地下水观测点分为山前开采型、山前侧向补给-径流-开采型、中部河道带补给-开采型、中部地下水浅埋区降水入渗-蒸发型动态、黄河影响带侧向补给-蒸发型动态和滨海平原区入渗-蒸发型6大地下水动态类型。在此基础上阐明了大区域范围内不同类型地下水水位年内及多年动态变化的特点,比较了不同类型区地下水动态所受影响因素的不同。     

乌鲁木齐河“960719”洪水分析

本文依据大量实测洪水数据对乌鲁齐河“９６０７１９”洪水的来源,特点及时空分布变化进行了讨论,分析了这场洪水的重现期,并提出了有关建议。     

Shallow groundwater dynamics in North China Plain

The groundwater level of 39 observation wells including 35 unconfined wells and 4 confined wells from 2004 to 2006 in North China Plain (NCP) was monitored using automatic groundwater monitoring data loggers KADEC-MIZU II of Japan. The automatic groundwater sensors were installed for the corporation project between China and Japan. Combined with the monitoring results from 2004 to 2006 with the major factors affecting the dynamic patterns of groundwater, such as topography and landform, depth of groundwater level, exploitation or discharge extent, rivers and lakes, the dynamic regions of NCP groundwater were gotten. According to the dynamic features of groundwater in NCP, six dynamic patterns of groundwater level were identified, including discharge pattern in the piedmont plain, lateral recharge– runoff–discharge pattern in the piedmont plain, recharge–discharge pattern in the central channel zone, precipitation infiltration–evaporation pattern in the shallow groundwater region of the central plain, lateral recharge–evaporation pattern in the recharge-affected area along the Yellow River and infiltration–discharge–evaporation pattern in the littoral plain. Based on this, the groundwater fluctuation features of various dynamic patterns were interpreted and the influencing factors of different dynamic patterns were compared.     

Nature of sedimentary deposits in the western Makgadikgadi basin, Botswana

Quaternary sedimentation in the western Makgadikgadi basin of north central Botswana is evaluated on the basis of new evidence from satellite imagery and sedimentological analyses. Thematic Mapper imagery interpretation, combined with field evidence, has led to the identification of geomorphological features which are mainly composed of light grey calcareous sandstones (formerly calcretes) overlain by dark grey sands. The literature suggests that palaeolake Makgadikgadi I formed and developed intermittently after initial downwarping in the early–mid Pleistocene. The calcareous sandstones were formed when calcium carbonate precipitation took place in pre-existing Kalahari sands along the western shoreline of Makgadikgadi I. Field evidence, supported by X-ray diffraction and SEM analyses, indicates that CaCO₃precipitated mainly in marshy conditions around plant roots and stems and in association with bacteria in embayments along the lakeshore. The sandstones thickened and became partially indurated as a result of increasing palaeolake levels. Deposition was terminated by renewed tectonism which uplifted the shoreline zone relative to the lake basin, leading to falling palaeolake levels. Post-uplift reworking led to case hardening and pedogenic calcrete formation in the upper sections of the calcareous sandstones. Sedimentary conditions altered during the late Pleistocene. Extensive distributaries from the proto-Okavango system incised the shoreline ridge contributing to the filling of Makgadikgadi II. Satellite data suggest that the proto-Okavango rivers formed a series of fan deltas at this time along the western Makgadikgadi basin. Widespread dispersal of fluvial grey sands took place as a result of basin tilting which led to anastomosing channels flowing southward possibly around 18,000 B.P. These results, although preliminary in nature, augment previous geomorphological analyses by adding some detail in terms of depositional environments and by providing a tentative age and origin for the ubiquitous grey sands.     

Quaternary inheritance of coastal landforms,Cobourg Peninsula,northern territory

In contrast to the abundant evidence of former shorelines on the sea floor of the Sahul Shelf in northern Australia, little evidence has been reported for late Pleistocene coastal landforms along the modern coast of north Australia. Using radiocarbon, thermoluminescence and uranium/thorium dating techniques, however, it can be shown that the present coastal morphology on the Cobourg Peninsula is partly inherited from features both deposited and eroded during the late Quaternary. Shore platforms, in particular, are veneered with ferricretes, some of which can be U/Th dated. In places bedforms are preserved within the ferricrete, suggesting that the platform existed at, and was modified during, the Last Interglacial, and probably formed during earlier interglacials. TL dating indicates that sands around Cape Don were deposited when sea level was lower, but may have been reworked during a Holocene high stand. A sequence of beach ridges at Smith Point indicates Holocene progradation over an earlier planation surface, and also provides support for slight Holocene emergence.     

祖厉河流域降雨径流泥沙变化特征研究

祖厉河流域位于年降水量200～400 mm之间过渡带,是气候变化最敏感和最为复杂的区域之一。运用祖厉河流域1955-2013年径流量、输沙量与年降雨量的变化趋势、时段特征进行了分析。结果表明：祖厉河流域降雨量、径流量和输沙量存在年际变化大、逐年减小的变化趋势;年降雨量在1995年出现突变点,降雨量存在明显的丰水和枯水变化,丰水时段（1955-1989年）年降水量为376.2 mm,枯水时段（1990-2013年）年降水量为224.9 mm;径流量和泥沙量的突变点分别出现在1995年和2000年;依据UF_k值信度变化趋势,将径流量、输沙量变化分为非显著减少（1955-1971年）、显著减少（1972-1985年）、较显著减少（1986-2000年）和极显著减少（2001-2013年）四个时期。     

滇中红层含盐层水文地质特征

红层沉积环境多样,易溶盐会在一些区段富集形成含盐层。含盐层岩石矿物成分复杂,可溶岩和可溶性矿物含量较高,更易形成溶隙、溶孔,地下水类型以溶蚀裂隙孔隙水为主,水质复杂,水化学成分、含量与易溶矿物成分、含量关系密切。云南红层地下水勘查示范成果表明,滇中红层含盐层浅部全－强风化带含盐层容易淋滤沉着形成自封闭带,富水性较差,地下水位以下的中等－微风化带岩层透水性好,富水性强;含盐层区亦有可饮用淡水分布,补给、排泄条件好的裸露型含盐层中水质较好,循环条件差的埋藏型、覆盖型含盐层中水质较差;浅层地下水水质随深度的变化不明显。     

Analyzing the formation cause of Xidatan drinking mineral springs in island permafrost area on north slope of the Kunlun Mountains

The replenishment source of Xidatan drinking mineral springs in island permafrost area on north slope of the Kunlun Mountains are mainly the melting water from the modern glaciers bottom, snow and ice melting water, atmospheric precipitation, and surface water in Yuzhu Peak area on the Kunlun Mountains. This scenario is based on the survey of hydrogeology, water-conducting and water-controlling faults, and water chemistry, and on the EH-4 high-frequency electronic deep exploration. The original water recharges the deep groundwater at fracture zone of active normal faults F3 and F4 , then groundwater enriches at normal faults F2 and F2-1,2 , and then run northward. A water-rich triangle area is formed when groundwater reach the active reverse fault F1 . Groundwater then discharges through fracture zone of F1 , which is the major cause of the Xidatan mineral springs formation.     

南极普里兹湾柱样中石英颗粒的表面结构

本文统计分析了南极普里兹湾陆坡区一个柱样（ＮＰ９５１）１３个层位的石英颗粒的形态和表面结构。石英表面呈现出强烈的冰川运动和较弱的化学溶蚀－沉淀作用留下的表面特征，表明该沉积物主要是处于低能海洋环境中的冰碛物。石英颗粒因化学溶蚀－沉淀作用形成的组合表面特征的定量统计结果与矿物的Ｘ射线衍射和微体古生物的分析结果相对应，能较好地解释该海区经历的沉积环境和古气候变化。     

华北平原地下水动态变化

The groundwater level of 39 observation wells including 35 unconfined wells and 4 confined wells from 2004 to 2006 in North China Plain (NCP) was monitored using automatic groundwater monitoring data loggers KADEC-MIZU II of Japan. The automatic groundwater sensors were installed for the corporation project between China and Japan. Combined with the monitoring results from 2004 to 2006 with the major factors affecting the dynamic patterns of groundwater, such as topography and landform, depth of groundwater level, exploitation or discharge extent, rivers and lakes, the dynamic regions of NCP groundwater were gotten. According to the dynamic features of groundwater in NCP, six dynamic patterns of groundwater level were identified, including discharge pattern in the piedmont plain, lateral recharge-runoff-discharge pattern in the piedmont plain, recharge-discharge pattern in the central channel zone, precipitation infiltration-evaporation pattern in the shallow groundwater region of the central plain, lateral recharge-evaporation pattern in the recharge-affected area along the Yellow River and infiltration-discharge-evaporation pattern in the littoral plain. Based on this, the groundwater fluctuation features of various dynamic patterns were interpreted and the influencing factors of different dynamic patterns were compared. Foundation: National Natural Sciences Foundation of China, No.40671034; No.40830636 Author: Wang Shiqin (1981–), Ph.D., specialized in hydrology and water resources, water cycle of watershed.     

Rivers turned to rock: Late Quaternary alluvial induration influencing the behaviour and morphology of an anabranching river in the Australian monsoon tropics

Late Quaternary alluvial induration has greatly influenced contemporary channel morphology on the anabranching Gilbert River in the monsoon tropics of the Gulf of Carpentaria. The Gilbert, one of a number of rivers in this region, has contributed to an extensive system of coalescing low-gradient and partly indurated riverine plains. Extensive channel sands were deposited by enhanced flow conditions during marine oxygen isotope (OI) Stage 5. Subsequent flow declined, probably associated with increased aridity, however, enhanced runoff recurred again in OI Stages 4–3 (65–50 ka). Aridity then capped these plains with 4–7 m of mud. A widespread network of sandy distributary channels was incised into this muddy surface from sometime after the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) to the mid Holocene during a fluvial episode more active than the present but less so than those of OI Stages 5 and 3. This network is still partly active but with channel avulsion and abandonment now occurring largely proximal to the main Gilbert flow path.A tropical climate and reactive catchment lithology have enhanced chemical weathering and lithification of alluvium along the river resulting in the formation of small rapids, waterfalls and inset gorges, features characteristic more of bedrock than alluvial systems. Thermoluminescence (TL) and comparative optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) ages of the sediments are presented along with U/Th ages of pedogenic calcrete and Fe/Mn oxyhydroxide/ oxide accumulations. They show that calcrete precipitated during the Late Quaternary at times similar to those that favoured ferricrete formation, possibly because of an alternating wet–dry climate. Intense chemical alteration of the alluvium leading to induration appears to have prevailed for much of the Late Quaternary but, probably due to exceptional dryness, not during the LGM. The result has been restricted channel migration and a reduced capacity for the channel to adjust and accommodate sudden changes in bedload. Consequent avulsions have caused local stream powers to increase by an order of magnitude, inducing knickpoint erosion, local incision and the sudden influx of additional bedload that has triggered further avulsions. The Gilbert River, while less energetic than its Pleistocene ancestors, is clearly an avulsive system, and emphasizes the importance in some tropical rivers of alluvial induration for reinforcing the banks, generating nickpoints, reworking sediment and thereby developing and maintaining an indurated and anabranching river style.     

锥峰和塔峰溶丘地貌的表层喀斯特带径流溶蚀形成机制

塔峰、锥峰和常态山是西南喀斯特地区的三种主要丘陵形态.表层喀斯特带径流溶蚀动力学机制可以较好的解释喀斯特坡地发育.表层喀斯特带的顺坡径流量大的喀斯特地区,坡地溶蚀速率高,易于塔峰和锥峰地貌的形成,反之,易于常态山地貌的形成.降水、岩层组构等环境要素控制了表层喀斯特带的顺坡径流量.西南喀斯特地区的这三种溶丘的空间分布和这些环境要素的区域差异有关.滇东高原、贵州高原和广西丘陵平原的岩性和大地构造条件差异不大,气候是这三地溶丘地貌形态差异的主要原因:滇东高原为西南季风气候区,降水量较低,表层喀斯特带顺坡径流量小,溶丘地貌以常态山为主;其余两地为东亚季风气候区,降水量较高,表层喀斯特带顺坡径流量大,溶丘地貌以锥峰和塔峰为主,其中,广西丘陵平原的降水量大于贵州高原,前者溶丘地貌以塔峰为主,后者以锥峰为主.     

A simple method for estimating basin-scale groundwater discharge by vegetation in the basin and range province of Arizona using remote sensing information and geographic information systems

Groundwater is a vital water resource in the arid to semi-arid southwestern United States. Accurate accounting of inflows to and outflows from the groundwater system is necessary to effectively manage this shared resource, including the important outflow component of groundwater discharge by vegetation. A simple method for estimating basin-scale groundwater discharge by vegetation is presented that uses remote sensing data from satellites, geographic information systems (GIS) land cover and stream location information, and a regression equation developed within the Southern Arizona study area relating the Enhanced Vegetation Index from the MODIS sensors on the Terra satellite to measured evapotranspiration. Results computed for 16-day composited satellite passes over the study area during the 2000 through 2007 time period demonstrate a sinusoidal pattern of annual groundwater discharge by vegetation with median values ranging from around 0.3 mm per day in the cooler winter months to around 1.5 mm per day during summer. Maximum estimated annual volume of groundwater discharge by vegetation was between 1.4 and 1.9 billion m³ per year with an annual average of 1.6 billion m³. A simplified accounting of the contribution of precipitation to vegetation greenness was developed whereby monthly precipitation data were subtracted from computed vegetation discharge values, resulting in estimates of minimum groundwater discharge by vegetation. Basin-scale estimates of minimum and maximum groundwater discharge by vegetation produced by this simple method are useful bounding values for groundwater budgets and groundwater flow models, and the method may be applicable to other areas with similar vegetation types.     

BLUFF EROSION OF A MISSISSIPPI RIVER MEANDER AT PORT HUDSON,LOUISIANA

The rate of bluff erosion has been monitored and related processes examined on a Mississippi River meander bend at Port Hudson, Louisiana, from 1971 to mid-1980. The erosion data were analyzed using a stepwise multiple regression analysis to determine the conditions controlling the amount and distribution of bluff erosion. The results indicate a pattern of decreasing bluff erosion that is attributed to downstream migration of the zone of maximum basal scour. Bluff retreat in the period of active basal undercutting (1971 to mid-1975) was 18.9m/year and in the following period of decreased basal scour activity (mid-1975 to mid-1980) was 6.8m/year. Approximately, 61% of the erosion was associated with rising river levels. The data also indicated that 66% of the erosion occurred at bankfull discharge stage or above. Conditions that produce bluff erosion were found to vary between the two eriosion periods and also as river levels rose or fell in each of the periods. During the actively undercutting period, precipitation rate and amount of river rise explained 94% of the bank erosion that occurred as river levels rose. During the falling river phase, days above bankfull stage and amount of river fall accounted for 99% of the bluff erosion. In the period of decreased basal scour, precipitation rate and maximum river stage accounted for 94% of the bluff erosion related to rising river levels, while the erosion during falling river levels could be only tentatively correlated to precipitation rate and factors associated with drawdown. Changes in slope processes as the result of decreased basal scour were also examined.     

巴丹吉林沙漠沙山区径流与地下水补给条件

在全球高差最大的巴丹吉林沙漠沙山斜坡上发现了沙漠区罕见的因大气降水而产生的地表超渗径流,地表径流侵蚀,缓渗径流及因地下径流出露而产生的地表径流--风沙混合物理沉积与化学沉积(次生盐).根据电镜观察,能谱分析,化学分析和粒度分析等资料,研究了径流化学沉积物的矿物和化学组成,风积沙和径流--风沙混合物理沉积物的粒度组成,径流类型及沙山区水分平衡,降水对地下水与湖水的补给机制.超渗径流的出现表明,虽然该区降水量少,但存在能够为地下水提供补给来源的较强有效降雨过程.径流,径流--风沙混合物理沉积和化学沉积等六项科学指标从深层次上充分证明,该区降水通过入渗至少达到了沙山的下部,完全能够对地下水构成有效补给.细粒层相对的隔水性是该区地下径流出露于地表的原因.沙山区确实存在令人惊奇的水分正平衡,即在大气降水在经过蒸发和蒸腾等消耗之后,每年还有约134648.4 t/km²水补给了地下水和湖水,成为湖水的重要补给来源之一.沙山区能够产生有效降水,植被稀少蒸腾量少,沙层入渗率高和沙层受蒸发影响深度很小是该区水分出现正平衡和大气降水能够补给地下水的四个条件,也是导致该沙漠区有众多湖泊发育的主要条件.