The spatial variation of weathering and soil depth across a Triassic sandstone outcrop

In this study, we used an archive of borehole logs from the British Geological Survey to collect information on the spatial structure of weathering that extends from the surface to competent bedrock across the Triassic Sherwood Sandstone Group outcrop (750 km²), in the East Midlands, UK. The borehole logs were used to estimate the thickness of the soil (n = 280) and soil and saprolite (S&S) to competent rock (n = 500). The weathering profile of the sandstone consisted of soil (median thickness ～ 1·5 m) overlying a transition zone of compacted and weakly cemented weathered sandstone saprolite over bedrock. Topographic analysis using a NEXTMAP 5 m × 5 m digital elevation model (DEM) revealed no significant relationships between slope properties (relief, flow length, flow accumulation or slope angle) and soil or S&S thickness. A weak, but statistically significant correlation was found between the thickness of the soil and S&S (r_s = 0·25, p < 0·001, n = 192). The variation in soil thickness may be related to changes in current and historic and land‐use, variation in sandstone properties and the influence of glacial/peri‐glacial processes. The thickness of the saprolite was more variable towards the southern part of the study area, where it increased to a maximum 40 m. We hypothesize and provide evidence that the greater weathering thickness is related to the occurrence of increased faulting in this part of the study region, allowing increased access to meteoric waters. A possible source of increased water supply is meltwater from Quaternary ice sheets; the overburden of ice may have increased sub‐glacial pore water pressure, with the fractures and faults acting as a drainage system for the removal of dissolved weathering products. British Geological Survey © NERC 2010     

A new soil freeze/thaw discriminant algorithm using AMSR‐E passive microwave imagery

The soil freeze–thaw controls the hydrological and carbon cycling and thus affects water and energy exchanges at land surface. This article reported a newly developed algorithm for distinguishing the freeze/thaw status of surface soil. The algorithm was based on information from Advanced Microwave Scanning Radiometer Enhanced (AMSR‐E) which records brightness temperature (Tb) in the afternoon and after midnight. The criteria and discriminant functions were obtained from both radiometer observations and model simulations. First of all, the microwave radiation from freeze–thaw soil was examined by carrying out experimental measurements at 18·7 and 36·5 GHz using a Truck‐mounted Multi‐frequency Microwave Radiometer (TMMR) in the Heihe River of China. The experimental results showed that the soil moisture is a key component that differentiates the microwave radiation behaviours during the freeze–thaw process, and the differences in soil temperature and emissivity between frozen and thawed soils were found to be the most important criteria. Secondly, a combined model was developed to consider the impacts of complex ground surface conditions on the discrimination. The model simulations quite followed the trend of in situ observations with an overall relation coefficient (R) of approximately 0·88. Finally, the ratio of Tb18·7H (horizontally polarized Tb at 18·7 GHz) to Tb36·5V was considered primarily as the quasi‐emissivity, which is more reasonable and explicit in measuring the microwave radiation changes in soil freezing and thawing than the spectral gradient. By combining Tb36·5V to indicate the soil temperature variety, a Fisher linear discrimination analysis was used to establish the discriminant functions. After being corrected by TMMR measurements, the new discriminant algorithm had an overall accuracy of 86% when validated by 4‐cm soil temperature. The multi‐year discriminant results also provided a good agreement with the classification map of frozen ground in China. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Geophysical constraints on deep weathering and water storage potential in the Southern Sierra Critical Zone Observatory

The conversion of bedrock to regolith marks the inception of critical zone processes, but the factors that regulate it remain poorly understood. Although the thickness and degree of weathering of regolith are widely thought to be important regulators of the development of regolith and its water‐storage potential, the functional relationships between regolith properties and the processes that generate it remain poorly documented. This is due in part to the fact that regolith is difficult to characterize by direct observations over the broad scales needed for process‐based understanding of the critical zone. Here we use seismic refraction and resistivity imaging techniques to estimate variations in regolith thickness and porosity across a forested slope and swampy meadow in the Southern Sierra Critical Zone Observatory (SSCZO). Inferred seismic velocities and electrical resistivities image a weathering zone ranging in thickness from 10 to 35 m (average = 23 m) along one intensively studied transect. The inferred weathering zone consists of roughly equal thicknesses of saprolite (P‐velocity < 2 km s^?1) and moderately weathered bedrock (P‐velocity = 2–4 km s^?1). A minimum‐porosity model assuming dry pore space shows porosities as high as 50% near the surface, decreasing to near zero at the base of weathered rock. Physical properties of saprolite samples from hand augering and push cores are consistent with our rock physics model when variations in pore saturation are taken into account. Our results indicate that saprolite is a crucial reservoir of water, potentially storing an average of 3 m³ m^?2 of water along a forested slope in the headwaters of the SSCZO. When coupled with published erosion rates from cosmogenic nuclides, our geophysical estimates of weathering zone thickness imply regolith residence times on the order of 10⁵ years. Thus, soils at the surface today may integrate weathering over glacial–interglacial fluctuations in climate. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Application of HVSR to estimating thickness of laterite weathering profiles in basalt

Lateritic weathering profiles (LWPs) are widespread in the tropics and comprise an important component of the Critical Zone (CZ). The Hawaiian Islands make an excellent natural laboratory for examining the tropical CZ, where the bedrock composition (basalt) is nearly uniform and rainfall varies greatly. This natural laboratory is employed to assess the utility of the HVSR (horizontal/vertical spectral ratio) method to characterize the shear-wave velocity (V_s) structure of LWPs, particularly the depth to the contact between saprolite and basalt bedrock. LWP thicknesses determined from HVSR provide good agreement with multi-channel analysis of surface waves (MASW) profiles, well logs and outcrop. LWP thicknesses may be estimated from the fundamental mode equation or through forward models. Prior knowledge about the subsurface from well, outcrop, and MASW profiles may greatly aid modeling in some cases. For the 3.2 to 1.8 Ma Koolau Volcano on Oahu, the downward rate of advance of the weathering front varies from 0.004 to 0.041 m/ka. For the 0.44 to 0.10 Ma Kohala Volcano (Big Island of Hawaii) rates vary from 0.013 to 0.047 m/ka. Simple H/V spectra develop in areas where the combined effects of time and elevated rainfall produce thick LWPs with a flat base and a general absence of core stones with an ideal layered geometry. Abundant buried core stones violate the assumption of simple layered geometries and scatter acoustic energy, leading to uninterpretable results. This is common where low rainfall and a young basaltic substrate leave abundant core stones as well as an undulating contact between saprolite and bedrock. Velocity inversions (high V_s intervals within low V_s saprolite) may also be present and originate from relatively intact bedrock horizons or mineralogical changes within saprolite. At Kohala, a gibbsite-rich horizon produces such a velocity inversion due to enhanced weathering and subsequent collapse of saprolite in a discrete horizon. © 2019 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Post-deforestation soil loss from steepland hillslopes in Taranaki,New Zealand

Soil erosion on steepland hillslopes in Taranaki, New Zealand, where landsliding is the dominant erosion form, was investigated by comparing mean regolith depths between first-order basins that have had their forest cover removed for different periods of time. Regolith depth and slope angle data were collected along 19 profile lines and 30 profile lines from steepland basins that had been deforested for 10 and 85 years, respectively. These profile lines were subdivided into a total of 236 profile segments of relatively linear slope angle and uniform regolith depth, that averaged 17·5 m in length. The depth of pre-existing regolith on post-deforestation landslide sites is estimated from a regression of regolith depth on slope angle for undisturbed (non-landslide) profile segments. Regolith depletion on landslide sites is in turn estimated by subtracting the depth of regolith on landslide sites from the estimate of pre-existing regolith depth. Regolith depletion by post-deforestation landslides, averaged over the entire length of profile lines, gives an estimate of average surface lowering. For the area deforested for 85 years, average surface lowering by post-deforestation landslides is 0·15 ± 0·04 m, and is the same as the difference in mean depth of 0·15 ± 0·11 m between this area and the area deforested for 10 years. Erosion of regolith from hillslopes by processes other than landsliding appears to be minimal. The 0·15 m average surface lowering represents a regolith depletion rate of 1·8 ± 0±5 mm yr^?1. For hillslopes steeper than 28°, where all post-deforestation landslides occur, average surface lowering is 0·20 ± 0·05 m, and the regolith depletion rate is 2±4 · 0±6 mm yr^?1. Average surface lowering is greatest at 0·23 ± 0·07 m on hillslopes steeper than 32° where most post-deforestation landslides occur. Here, the regolith depletion rate is 2·7 ± 0·8 mm yr^?1. A large-magnitude, low-frequency storm in March 1990, produced an average surface lowering of 0·041 m. There were proportionately more landslides in the area deforested for 10 years, illustrating the importance of previous erosion history of hillslopes on the spatial distribution of landslides. There were also comparatively few landslides on steeper hillslopes because previous lower magnitude storms had already removed much of the deeper regolith.     

Depth and character of rock weathering across a basaltic‐hosted climosequence on Hawai‘i

Using field observations and geochemical and digital terrain analyses, we describe the structure and thickness of the regolith across a climosequence on the island of Hawai‘i to gain insight into the relative roles of precipitation and the near‐surface hydrologic structure in determining weathering patterns. In the wet portion of the climosequence, where the long‐term water balance is positive, the regolith thickness reaches an observed maximum of ~40 m and appears limited by the geomorphic base‐level of the landscape. However, even within this thick regolith, distinct units of varying weathering intensity occur; the vertical ordering of which largely reflects differences in the initial permeability structure of the basalt flows rather than a systematic decrease in weathering intensity downwards from the ground surface. In the dry portion of the climosequence, where the long‐term water balance is negative, the regolith thickness is confined to ~1 m, is highly dependent on the inferred permeability structure of the basalt flows, and is independent of geomorphic base‐level. Weathering intensity also varies according to permeability structure and decreases in this thin regolith with distance beneath the ground surface. The abrupt change in regolith depth and character that coincides with the transition from net‐positive to net‐negative long‐term water balance implies that small changes in precipitation rates around a neutral water balance result in large changes in the distribution and depth of weathering. Together our observations indicate that the distribution and depth of weathering in basalts (and probably other lithologies) might be best understood by considering how precipitation interacts with the complicated near‐surface permeability structure over regolith‐forming timescales to weather rock in the vadose zone. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Hydrogeomorphic processes of thermokarst lakes with grounded‐ice and floating‐ice regimes on the Arctic coastal plain,Alaska

Thermokarst lakes cover > 20% of the landscape throughout much of the Alaskan Arctic Coastal Plain (ACP) with shallow lakes freezing solid (grounded ice) and deeper lakes maintaining perennial liquid water (floating ice). Thus, lake depth relative to maximum ice thickness (1·5–2·0 m) represents an important threshold that impacts permafrost, aquatic habitat, and potentially geomorphic and hydrologic behaviour. We studied coupled hydrogeomorphic processes of 13 lakes representing a depth gradient across this threshold of maximum ice thickness by analysing remotely sensed, water quality, and climatic data over a 35‐year period. Shoreline erosion rates due to permafrost degradation ranged from < 0·2 m/year in very shallow lakes (0·4 m) up to 1·8 m/year in the deepest lakes (2·6 m). This pattern of thermokarst expansion masked detection of lake hydrologic change using remotely sensed imagery except for the shallowest lakes with stable shorelines. Changes in the surface area of these shallow lakes tracked interannual variation in precipitation minus evaporation (P ? E_L) with periods of full and nearly dry basins. Shorter‐term (2004–2008) specific conductance data indicated a drying pattern across lakes of all depths consistent with the long‐term record for only shallow lakes. Our analysis suggests that grounded‐ice lakes are ice‐free on average 37 days longer than floating‐ice lakes resulting in a longer period of evaporative loss and more frequent negative P ? E_L. These results suggest divergent hydrogeomorphic responses to a changing Arctic climate depending on the threshold created by water depth relative to maximum ice thickness in ACP lakes. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Measuring thaw depth beneath peat‐lined arctic streams using ground‐penetrating radar

In arctic streams, depth of thaw beneath the stream channel is likely a significant parameter controlling hyporheic zone hydrology and biogeochemical cycling. As part of an interdisciplinary study of this system, we conducted a field investigation to test the effectiveness of imaging substream permafrost using ground‐penetrating radar (GPR). We investigated three sites characterized by low‐energy water flow, organic material lining the streambeds, and water depths ranging from 0·2 to 2 m. We acquired data using a 200 MHz pulsed radar system with the antennas mounted in the bottom of a small rubber boat that was pulled across the stream while triggering the radar at a constant rate. We achieved excellent results at all three sites, with a clear continuous image of the permafrost boundary both peripheral to and beneath the stream. Our results demonstrate that GPR can be an effective tool for measuring substream thaw depth. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Synergistic effect of vegetation and air temperature changes on soil water content in alpine frost meadow soil in the permafrost region of Qinghai‐Tibet

Seasonal changes over 2 years (2004–2006) in soil moisture content (θ_v) of frozen alpine frost meadow soils of the Qinghai‐Tibet plateau permafrost region under three different levels of vegetation cover were investigated. Vegetation cover and air temperature changes had significant effects (synergistic effect) on θ_v and its distribution in the soil profile. During periods of soil freezing or thawing, the less the vegetation cover, the quicker the temperature drop or rise of soil water, and the shorter the duration of the soil water freeze–thaw response in the active soil layer. Under 30% and 65% vegetation cover the amplitude of variation in θ_v during the freezing period was 20–26% greater than that under 93% cover, while during the thawing period, it was 1·5‐ to 40·5‐fold greater. The freezing temperature of the surface soil layer, ^fT_s, was 1·6 °C lower under 30% vegetation cover than under 93% vegetation cover. Changes in vegetation cover of the alpine frost meadow affected θ_v and its distribution, as well as the relationship between θ_v and soil temperature (T_s). As vegetation cover decreased, soil water circulation in the active layer increased, and the response to temperature of the water distribution across the soil profile was heightened. The quantity of transitional soil phase water at different depths significantly increased as vegetation cover decreased. The influence of vegetation cover and soil temperature distribution led to a relatively dry soil layer in the middle of the profile (0·70–0·80 m) under high vegetation cover. Alpine meadow θ_v and its pattern of distribution in the permafrost region were the result of the synergistic effect of air temperature and vegetation cover. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Coupling chemical weathering with soil production across soil‐mantled landscapes

Soil‐covered upland landscapes constitute a critical part of the habitable world. Our understanding of how they evolve as a function of different climatic, tectonic and geological regimes is important across a wide range of disciplines and depends, in part, on understanding the links between chemical and physical weathering processes. Extensive previous work has shown that soil production rates decrease with increasing soil column thickness, but chemical weathering rates were not measured. Here we examine a granitic, soil‐mantled hillslope at Point Reyes, California, where soil production rates were determined using in situ produced cosmogenic nuclides (¹⁰Be and ²⁶Al), and we quantify the extent as well as the rates of chemical weathering of the saprolite from beneath soil from across the landscape. We collected saprolite samples from the base of soil pits and analysed them for abrasion pH as well as for major and trace elements by X‐ray fluorescence spectroscopy, and for clay mineralogy by X‐ray diffraction spectroscopy. Our results show for the first time that chemical weathering rates decrease with increasing soil thickness and account for 13 to 51 per cent of total denudation. We also show that spatial variation in chemical weathering appears to be topographically controlled: weathering rate decreases with slope across the divergent ridge and increases with upslope contributing area in the convergent swale. Furthermore, to determine the best measure for the extent of saprolite weathering, we compared four different chemical weathering indices – the Vogt ratio, the chemical index of alteration (CIA), Parker's index, and the silicon–aluminium ratio – with saprolite pH. Measurements of the CIA were the most closely correlated with saprolite pH, showing that weathering intensity decreases linearly with an increase in saprolite pH from 4·7 to almost 7. Data presented here are among the first to couple directly rates of soil production and chemical weathering with how topography is likely to control weathering at a hillslope scale. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Diurnal freeze–thaw depth in rockwalls: Field measurements and theoretical considerations

Rock temperatures were monitored for a year at two alpine rockwalls in the Akaishi Range, Japan, where permafrost is absent. Diurnal frost and thaw penetration depths were evaluated from subsurface isotherms drawn on the basis of the temperature records at 0, 10 and 40 cm depths. The surface of the rockwalls experienced more than 100 diurnal freeze-thaw cycles, most of which accompanied a frost or thaw penetration shallower than 50 cm, and several long duration cycles with deeper frost or thaw penetration. Theoretical frost and thaw depths were also calculated by incorporating the surface freezing indices into the modified Berggren equation, the results from which were then compared with the actual values. The modified Berggren equation provided values that showed a strong correlation with observed depths, despite somewhat underestimating the actual values. Using the modified Berggren equation, the seasonal frost depth in the observed winter was estimated to be about 4·5 m. The frost and thaw depths are considered to give the maximum estimation of the depth to which frost-induced cracking can propagate in the bedrock.     

Multi‐phase evolution of gnammas (weathering pits) in a Holocene deglacial granite landscape,Minnesota (USA)

The morphometry of 85 gnammas (weathering pits) from Big Stone County in western Minnesota allows the assessment of the relative ages of the gnamma population. The ratio between maximum and minimum depths is independent of the initial size of the cavity and only depends on the weathering evolution. Therefore, the distribution of depth ratios can be used to assess the gnamma population age and the history of weathering. The asymmetrical distribution of depth ratios measured in Big Stone County forms three distinct populations. When these sets are analyzed independently, the correlation (r²) between maximum and minimum depths is greater than 0·95. Each single population has a normal distribution of depth ratios and the average depth ratios (δ‐value) for each population are δ₁ = 1·60 ± 0·05, δ₂ = 2·09 ± 0·04 and δ₃ = 2·42 ± 0·08. The initiation of gnamma formation followed the exhumation of the granite in the region. This granite was till and saprolite covered upon retreat of the ice from the Last Glacial Maximum. Nearby outcrops are striated, but the study site remained buried until it was exhumed by paleofloods issuing from a proglacial lake. These Holocene‐aged gnammas in western Minnesota were compared with gnammas of other ages from around the world. Our new results are in accordance with the hypothesis that δ‐values represent the evolution of gnammas with time under temperate‐ to cold‐climate dynamics. Phases of the formation of new gnammas may result from changes in weathering processes related to climate changes. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

渤海湾盆地冀中坳陷现今地热特征

渤海湾盆地冀中坳陷是我国最典型的潜山油气藏富集区.本文借助117口钻井地层测温资料和45块实测岩石热导率数据系统研究了冀中坳陷现今地温梯度、大地热流、热岩石圈厚度、岩石圈热结构等地热特征参数.研究表明,冀中坳陷0~3000m统一深度现今地温梯度为20.8~41.0℃·km-1,平均值为31.6℃·km-1,比未校正值减小1~3℃·km-1;现今大地热流介于48.7~79.7mW·m-2,平均值为59.2mW·m-2.平面上,冀中坳陷现今地温梯度和热流由西向东(从盆地边缘向内部)逐渐增大,并且凸起区地温梯度和热流相对较高,而凹陷区则偏低,与基底地形起伏具有很好的对应关系.同时,冀中坳陷腹部高热流凸起区广泛分布地热田.冀中坳陷现今热岩石圈厚度为98~109km,其岩石圈热结构为一典型的"冷壳热幔"型.本研究不仅对冀中坳陷油气勘探与地热能开发具有重要的指导意义,而且为深部岩石圈研究(华北克拉通破坏科学问题)提供了新依据.     

Evidence for freeze–thaw events and their implications for rock weathering in northern Canada: II. The temperature at which water freezes in rock

Many undertakings have used either a single value or a narrow window of temperatures as a threshold for the freezing of water within rock. These temperatures vary from 0 to ?5 C, with most windows being in the range ?1 to ?4 C. Based on thermal data, these thresholds are commonly used to ‘count’ the number of freeze–thaw events as a basis for determining freeze–thaw weathering. Data collected from northern Canada indicate that the temperature at which freezing occurs can vary substantially, even for the same site. Using exotherm and zero curtain observations from bricks, at angles of 90 and 45, aligned to the four cardinal aspects, the various temperatures at which water froze are shown. Bricks on the north and east commonly did exhibit freezing, based on exotherms, within the window ?1 to ?5 C, while data for the south and west aspects showed substantial variation, with freezes sometimes between ?6·4 and ?8·9 C. The data were evaluated for evidence of zero curtain effects (indicative of water freezing), but no unequivocal events could be found, and it is suggested that, at the scale of observation used here, they are unlikely. It would therefore appear that the use of thermal thresholds may not be meaningful for evaluation of freeze–thaw events. The available data also indicate many instances when temperatures went substantially sub‐zero (e.g. ?20 C) and yet no indication of water freezing occurred – most likely because there was no water available to freeze. This indicates that any form of freeze–thaw event counting, in the absence of some indicator of the presence of water and that it actually froze, is flawed, as thermal conditions alone are not adequate to indicate the occurrence or not of actual freeze–thaw weathering events. These data suggest that evaluations of freeze–thaw occurrence based simply on thermal thresholds may be substantially in error. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Heat tracing of heterogeneous hyporheic exchange adjacent to in‐stream geomorphic features

There are many field techniques used to quantify rates of hyporheic exchange, which can vary in magnitude and direction spatially over distances of only a few metres, both within and between morphological features. We used in‐stream mini‐piezometers and heat transport modelling of stream and streambed temperatures to quantify the rates and directions of water flux across the streambed interface upstream and downstream of three types of in‐stream geomorphic features: a permanent dam, a beaver dam remnant and a stream meander. We derived hyporheic flux estimates at three different depths at six different sites for a month and then paired those flux rates with measurements of gradient to derive hydraulic conductivity (K) of the streambed sediments. Heat transport modelling provided consistent daily flux estimates that were in agreement directionally with hydraulic gradient measurements and also identified vertical heterogeneities in hydraulic conductivity that led to variable hyporheic exchange. Streambed K varied over an order of magnitude (1·9 × 10^?6 to 5·7 × 10^?5 m/s). Average rates of hyporheic flux ranged from static (q < ±0·02 m/day) to 0·42 m/day. Heat transport modelling results suggest three kinds of flow around the dams and the meander. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Hydrologic characteristics of lake‐ and stream‐side riparian wetted margins in the McMurdo Dry Valleys,Antarctica

Water is a limiting factor for life in the McMurdo Dry Valleys (MDV), Antarctica. The active layer (seasonally thawed soil overlying permafrost) accommodates dynamic hydrological and biological processes for 10–16 weeks per year. Wetted margins (visually wetted areas with high moisture content) adjacent to lakes and streams are potential locations of great importance in the MDV because of the regular presence of liquid water, compared with the rest of the landscape where liquid water is rare. At 11 plots (four adjacent to lakes, seven adjacent to streams), soil particle size distribution, soil electrical conductivity, soil water content and isotopic signature, width of the wetted margin, and active layer thaw depth were characterised to determine how these gradients influence physicochemical properties that determine microbial habitat and biogeochemical cycling. Sediments were generally coarse‐grained in wetted margins adjacent to both lakes and streams. Wetted margins ranged from 1·04 to 11·01 m in average length and were found to be longer at lakeside sites than streamside. Average thaw depths ranged from 0·12 to 0·85 m, and were found to be deepest under lake margins. Lake margins also had much higher soil electrical conductivity, steeper topographic gradients, but more gradual soil moisture gradients than stream margins. Patterns of soil water δ¹⁸O and δD distribution indicate capillary action and evaporation from wetted margins; margin pore waters generally demonstrated isotopic enrichment with distance from the shore, indicating evaporation of soil water. Lake margin pore waters were significantly more negative in D_XS (D_XS = δD‐8δ¹⁸O) than streamside pore waters, indicating a longer history of evaporation there. Differences between lake and stream margins can be explained by the more consistent availability of water to lake margins than stream margins. Differences in margin characteristics between lakes and streams have important consequences for the microbial habitat of these margins and their functional role in biogeochemical cycling at these terrestrial–aquatic interfaces. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Factors affecting the sediment concentration in runoff from a slope during the spring thawing period

Sediment concentration (S) is vital in soil erosion models. However, research on estimating S at different positions on slopes in the spring thaw period is difficult. Thus, in this research, four flow discharges, two slope gradients, and four initial thawing depths were used in combination with Rare Earth Elements (REEs) tracing techniques to investigate the effects of hydraulic parameters at different locations of freeze–thaw rill flows on S. The results show that the S on the freeze–thaw slope gradually increases from the first section to the third section of the slope, with an increase of 43.99% from the first slope section to the third slope section. The flow velocity is the most critical factor to affect the S (R² > 0.7). The prediction equation of S on the entire slope under freeze–thaw conditions was established based on the flow turbulence intensity and relative gravity (R² = 0.769). This study examined the S and hydraulic parameters of the freeze–thaw rill flow, which provided a reference for further research on the soil erosion model during the spring thawing period.     

Laboratory frost sorting by needle ice: a pilot experiment on the effects of stone size and extent of surface stone cover

Sorted patterned ground is ubiquitous where gravelly fine soil experiences freeze–thaw cycles, but experimental studies have rarely been successful in reproducing such patterns. This article reports an attempt to reproduce miniature sorted patterns by repeating needle‐ice formation, which simulates frost sorting in regions dominated by diurnal freeze–thaw cycles. Six full‐scale laboratory models were tested. They consisted of near‐saturated volcanic fine soil topped by small stones of uniform size; the models explored a range of stone size (~6, ~12, ~17 and ~22 mm) and surface abundance (20, 40 and 60% cover). The stones were placed in a grid on the surface. These models were subjected to 20–30 temperature excursions between 10 °C and ?5 °C in 12 hours. The evolution of surface patterns were visually traced by photogrammetry. A data logging system continuously monitored vertical soil displacements, soil temperatures and moistures at different depths. All experimental runs displayed needle‐ice formation (2–3 cm in height) and resulting displacement of stones. The soil domains tended to heave faster and higher than the stones, leading to outward movement of the former and concentration of the stones. In plan view, smaller stones showed relatively fast and long‐lasting movements, while larger stones stabilized after the first five cycles. The 20% stone cover produced stone islands, whereas the 40% cover resulted in sorted labyrinths (a circle‐island complex) that may represent incipient sorted circles. The average diameter or spacing of these forms are 12–13 cm, being comparable to those in the field. The experiments imply that needle‐ice activity promotes rapid formation of sorted patterns, although the formation of well‐defined sorted circles may require hundreds of diurnal frost heave cycles. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Geophysical surveys for identifying saline groundwater in the semi‐arid region of the central Altiplano,Bolivia

In the central part of the Bolivian Altiplano, the shallow groundwater presents electrical conductivities ranging from 0·1 to 20 mS/cm. In order to study the origin of this salinity pattern, a good knowledge is required of the geometry of the aquifer at depth. In this study, geophysics has been used to complement the sparse data available from drill holes. One hundred time‐domain electromagnetic (TDEM) soundings were carried out over an area of 1750 km². About 20 geological logs were available close to some of the TDEM soundings. Three intermediate results were obtained from the combined data: (i) the relationship between the electrical conductivity of the groundwater and the formation resistivity, (ii) geoelectrical cross‐sections and (iii) geoelectrical maps at various depths. The limited data set shows a relationship between resistivity and the nature of the rock. From the cross‐sections, a conductive substratum with a resistivity of less than 1 Ω·m was identified at most of the sites at depths ranging from 50 to 350 m. This substratum could be a clay‐rich formation containing brines. Using derived relationships, maps of the nature of the formation (sandy, intermediate and clayey sediments) were established at depths of 10 and 50 m. Discrimination between sand and clays was impossible where groundwater conductivity is high (>3 mS/cm). In the central part of the area, where the groundwater conductivity is low, sandy sediments are likely to be present from the surface to a depth of more than 200 m. Clayey sediments are more likely to be present in the south‐east and probably constitute a hydraulic barrier to groundwater flow. In conclusion, the study demonstrates the efficiency of the TDEM sounding method to map conductive zones. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Physical modelling of fault scarp degradation under freeze–thaw cycles

Physical modelling has been developed in order to simulate the effects of periglacial erosion processes on the degradation of slopes and scarps. Data from 41 experimental freeze–thaw cycles are presented. They attest to the efficiency of periglacial processes that control both erosion and changes in scarp morphology: (i) cryoexpulsion leads to an increase of scarp surface roughness and modifies significantly the internal structure of the active layer; (ii) combined effects of frost creep and gelifluction lead to slow and gradual downslope displacements of the active layer (0·3 cm/cycle); (iii) debris flows are associated with the most significant changes in scarp morphology and are responsible for the highest rate of scarp erosion; (iv) quantification of the erosion rate gives values close to 1 cm³ cm^?2 for 41 freeze–thaw cycles. These experimental results are consistent with field data acquired along the La Hague fault scarp (Normandy, France) where an erosion rate of 4·6 ± 1 m³ m^?2 per glacial stage has been computed from the volume of natural slope deposits stored during the Weichselian glacial stage. These results show that moist periglacial erosion processes could lead to an underestimation of Plio‐Quaternary deformation in the mid‐latitudes. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.