Interactions between aeolian and fluvial systems in dryland environments

Historically, fluvial and aeolian processes in dryland environments have been viewed as mutually exclusive. However, recent research indicates that in many regions dryland aeolian and fluvial systems do not operate independently. There are interactions between the two systems that have important implications for the geomorphology of the landscape. This paper reviews the factors controlling the transfer of sediments between aeolian and fluvial systems, focusing on moisture availability, sediment supply and the magnitude/frequency characteristics of fluvial and aeolian events. We conclude by highlighting areas of future research that will contribute greatly to our understanding of aeolian–fluvial relationships in dryland areas.     

Geomorphological Holocene events as deduced from lithological records of the fluvial basins of Dauria

A conjugate analysis of the processes of morphogenesis and sedimentation within small fluvial basins of Dauria revealed a rhythmic character of change of the Holocene processes which are combined into cycles of a different hierarchical level. It is shown that each cycle begins with an extreme phase of intense fluvial drift and delivery of matter from the system. The fluvial horizons comprise the lower part of deposits of the Holocene macrocycle in the Vesnyanka pad’ (a valley without a permanent watercourse). A disastrous fluvial drift was recorded repeatedly for the period 7–8.5 cal. ka and at the transition time from the Atlantic to Subboreal time. A normal zonal phase of integration of matter within the basins is exhibited by buried humus horizons of soils which give clear evidence of 1800-year cycles. A regional development in Dauria is recorded for the soils with the age of about 8, 6.4 and 4.6 as well as 1.2–1.4 cal. ka. The upper part of the deposits of each cycle is characterized by aeolian horizons of extreme arid phases. The profiles of proluvial trails are indicative of 130-year cycles. Based on results from studying buried soils, data of pollen analysis and radiocarbon dating of the deposits, we determined an enhancement in climate aridization for the last 10 ka and, in general, a decreased of the sedimentation and morphogenesis rate.     

晚新生代中国北方风尘沉积的可能物源及变化

中国北方风尘沉积是晚新生代中纬西风和冬季风输送的粉尘相互加积的结果。对北方风尘沉积物来源和搬运动力的分析表明,风尘沉积的物质来源具有多样性,物源类型和分布、传输路径随时间变化。认为亚洲中部山地古风化壳可能是中国北方早期风尘沉积,尤其是第三纪红粘土的重要物源之一;晚新生代的粉尘源区类型由山地因干旱化被风蚀的红色风化壳逐渐向盆地周边被抬升的中、新生代砂泥岩过渡,再由盆地周边过渡到盆地内部的中生代与新生代的河湖沉积物和沙漠。同时大气环流格局的变化相应地导致了粉尘源区分布和传输路径的迁移。     

Characteristics of freshly deposited sand and finer sediments along an island-braided, gravel-bed river: The roles of water, wind and trees

Over the past two decades there has been a growing interest in the geomorphological mosaic along large floodplain rivers where channel dynamics are seen to drive habitat-patch creation and turnover and to contribute to high biological diversity. This has required a new perspective on fluvial geomorphology that focuses on biological scales of space and time. This study examines the spatial pattern of surface fine sediment accumulations along a reach of a large gravel-bed river, the Tagliamento River in NE Italy; an area with a moist Mediterranean climate and seasonal flow regime. The study investigates changes in sediment characteristics during the summer low-flow period between April and September. Focussing on five areas representing a gradient from open, bar-braided to wooded island-braided morphologies, the paper demonstrates the importance of riparian vegetation and aeolian–fluvial interactions.Significant contrasts in particle size distributions and organic content of freshly deposited sand and finer sediments were found between sampling areas, geomorphological settings, and sampling dates. In particular, wooded floodplain and established islands supported consistently finer sediment deposits than both open bar surfaces and the lee of pioneer islands, and in September significantly finer sediments were also found in deposits located in the lee of pioneer islands than on open bar surfaces. Overall, the September samples had a greater variability in particle size characteristics than those obtained from the same sites in April, with a general coarsening of the D₅ (φ) (i.e., the coarse tail of the particle size distribution). Also in September, crusts of fine sediment (30 μm < D₅₀ < 64 μm) had formed on the surface of some of the open bar and pioneer island deposits within the more open sampling areas along the study reach. These crusts possessed similar particle size characteristics to aeolian crusts found in more arid environments. They were significantly finer than April samples and September subcrust samples obtained from the same sites and had similar particle size characteristics to some samples taken from wooded floodplain, established island surfaces and the lee of pioneer islands that were not crusted.Local climatological and river level data confirm significant wind and rainfall events during a period of consistently low river levels between the April and September sampling periods. These support deflation, deposition and rain wash of finer sediment during the summer, with windblown sediments being deposited on bar surfaces and in the lee of pioneer islands where wood and young trees provide foci for accelerated sedimentation and island growth as well as on marginal floodplains and established islands. We conclude that along braided rivers in moist settings but with a distinct dry season, aeolian reworking of sediment deposits may have a more important role in driving habitat dynamics than previously considered.     

近 58 a 中国北方地区极端气温时空变化及影响因素分析

基于北方地区 404 个气象站 1960—2017 年逐日最高气温、最低气温资料,应用线性倾向估 计法、Mann-Kendall 法、滑动 t 检验法、累积距平法和相关分析法,分析了极端气温的时空变化特 征,并探讨了气温指数的影响因素。研究表明：极端气温暖指数和极值指数呈上升趋势,冷指数和 气温日较差呈下降趋势;变化幅度中冷指数大于暖指数,夜指数大于昼指数,西北地区极端气温指 数变化幅度最大,东北地区最小。突变时间上,极端气温指数突变主要发生在 20 世纪 80 年代和 90 年代,暖指数和极高值指数晚于冷指数和极低值指数,东北地区极端气温指数突变时间最早,西北 地区最晚,突变后极端暖事件和气温极值事件进入多发阶段,极端冷事件进入少发阶段。1988— 2012 年极端气温指数的变化响应了全球变暖停滞现象。多数极端气温指数与经纬度、海拔高度显 著相关。北极涛动（AO）指数对极端气温的影响最强,对冷指数影响最明显。气溶胶光学厚度与多 数冷指数呈负相关,而与多数暖指数呈正相关。     

Problems of Manufacturing Products for Final Consumption in the Industry of Irkutsk Oblast

The problem of freeing the country’s economy from commodity dependence is discussed. The potential for increasing the depth of processing of extracted raw materials and semi-products manufactured by enterprises of Irkutsk oblast is considered. Irkutsk oblast is one of the largest industrial constituent entities of the Russian Federation with a highly specific structure of industries. It combines an advanced extractive industry (production of oil, gold, iron ore, coal, salt and gypsum as well as logging) with multisectoral mechanical engineering (aircraft industry, manufacture of various machinery and equipment, electrical products, switching products and instruments). It also includes the advanced electric-power (absolutely dominated by the hydroelectric power component), aluminum and nuclear industries, and the chemical and forestry complex. The proportion of their products in the country’s economy is quite large. Most of these products are exported in the form of semi-products for a further processing to other regions of the country or to other countries. The range of interests of various entities is identified, which can influence the solution to the problem under consideration. Such entities can include society (the country’s population), the territory represented by its population, a corporation, a company, an industrial enterprise, and separate entrepreneurs. It is shown that it is impossible and inappropriate to fully process all semi-products and raw materials produced by the regional industry to obtain products for final consumption, due to economic, transportation and other reasons. However, a processing of them within economically justified limits is highly desirable in order for Irkutsk oblast to gain additional benefits in the form of tax revenues to the budget, job creation and an increase in charitable donations. A rationally is given to the need to do research in order to determine the scope of manufacture of products for final consumption in Irkutsk oblast.     

国外干旱区河流地貌研究综述

国外学者对干旱河流地貌的研究可划分为:干旱河流地貌研究的初级阶段、发展阶段、模拟阶段和微观理论深入阶段。近半世纪以来,国外干旱河流地貌研究的主要进展有:研究领域的扩大,向模拟试验和定位研究方向发展,与水利工程、综合开发以及其它生产建设密切结合。     

The Northern Sinai extra-arid plain and its origin

The contribution from marine, fluvial and aeolian lithodynamical mass flows to the formation of the Northern Sinai aggraded extra-arid plain is considered. The evolution of littoral zone topography is studied. It is shown that the plain was created by the Nile’s alluvium in the process of its stable long-lasting transfer from the delta eastward by the longshore current of the Mediterranean. A special emphasis is focused on the role of anthropogenic impacts on the relief of the plain as well as on the influence of infrequently recurring disastrous fluvial flows that cause reconfigurations of topography. The natural-anthropogenic disaster of the Pelusiac branch of the Nile.     

The dynamics of soil degradation processes within the Selenga basin at the agricultural period

The dynamics of erosion and soil deflation processes in the Russian part of the Selenga basin is considered for the period of agrarian land use in relation to a combination of natural and anthropogenic factors. Periods with a different directedness and intensity of the processes have been identified. It is shown that a large-scale degradation of lands within the Selenga basin was caused by massive destruction of forests in the first half of the 19^th century. Special attention is centered on the disastrous manifestations of the processes associated with extreme high-intensity storm rains or with heavy droughts. Strategies are suggested for optimizing land use practices in order to avoid a further degradation of soil cover.     

Origin and evolution of playas and blowouts in the semiarid zone of Tierra de Pinares (Duero Basin, Spain)

A large number of blowouts and playas occur in the marginal sectors of the aeolian deposits located in the southern sector of the Duero Depression (Tierra de Pinares) in Spain. The blowouts are relict landforms that were developed on sand sheets by deflation during dry periods with lower vegetation cover and a deeper water table. The studied blowouts form complexes of NW–SE and NNW–SSE elongated hollows with accompanying dunes up to 4 km long in the leeward margins. Some hollows host lakes or swampy areas related to a shallow water table. The dunes formed by NE–ENE winds show steep windward slopes and gentle leeward slopes. The studied playas, with prevalent NNW–SSE orientations, result from the aeolian excavation of terrace deposits and the underlying marly bedrock. It is probable that the formation of these depressions in an initial stage was related to deflation processes affected preferentially NNW–SSE sandy channels perpendicular to the dominant wind direction. The precipitation of salts in the playas generates aggregates of clay particles (peloids) that are easily removed by the wind. Once the bottom reached the substratum, the deepening of the depressions progressed by the deflation of particles produced by weathering of the argillaceous bedrock.     

Merged remotely sensed data for geomorphological investigations in deserts: examples from central Saudi Arabia

Image merging has gained acceptance in geological remote sensing, however it has rarely been applied in geomorphology. We report on the usefulness of principal components substitution (PCS) to merge IRS panchromatic data with multispectral Thematic Mapper (TM) imagery, to map commonly encountered desert geomorphological features, and in relative age dating of alluvial surfaces. The merged data were applied to the identification and mapping of geomorphological features along two geolo-gically different mountain fronts in central Saudi Arabia. Two types of geomorphological maps have been created. A morphogenetic map that distinguishes between aeolian landforms, fluvial landforms, desert pavements, and gypsum crusts. Second, a morphochronological map, which shows the relative age of four geomorphic surfaces developed on an alluvial fan. The construction of the two maps is supported by field observations and laboratory measurements. Using the optimum index factor (OIF), a TM band 1, 5 and 7 image (of 20 merged composites) was found to be the optimum colour composite image for the geomorphological features in this arid environment. We discuss our findings in the context of the spatial and spectral properties required for applied geomorphological remote sensing.     

Flood Hazard on the Rivers of the Baikal Region

A comprehensive characterization of the flood hazard on the rivers of the Baikal region is presented, which was obtained by investigating the streams within the basins of the Angara, Upper Lena (with the Vitim and Olekma), Lower Tunguska (headwaters), Upper Amur and Lake Baikal (including the entire Selenga basin). The main flood indicators for the period 1985–2017 are estimated: the genesis, recurrence, duration, flooded area and the force of impact. The influence of changes in the river runoff characteristics on the flood risk is shown by results of correlation analysis and analysis of integro-differential curves. An assessment is made of the changes in the flood frequency at gauging stations during the period of pronounced climatic changes (from 1981 to 2014), compared with the earlier period. The flood hazard within the spatial context for municipalities in the rank of administrative districts is determined on the basis of the dual (socio-economic and natural) nature of floods. It has been confirmed that the most dangerous in the Baikal region are rainfall floods in the southern areas of Irkutsk oblast, the Republic of Buryatia and Zabaikalskii krai. They have the highest frequency, and the largest flooding areas and force of impact and are characterized by the greatest damage and by the largest number of victims and evacuated people. At the same time, the frequency of floods at gauging stations in recent years has decreased compared to the earlier period against the background of the observed low-water period, which is most pronounced on the rivers of South Baikal and in the Selenga river basin.     

Some effects of the Tiga Dam on valleyside erosion in downstream reaches of the River Kano

Some of the effects of a lower river stage on valleyside fluvial processes are examined in downstream reaches of the Tiga Dam in the Kano River basin. The focus is on valley-bottom gullies which responded clearly and quickly to the lower height of flow in the Kano River channel in these reaches. The characteristics of the valley-bottom gullies at a time before the construction of the Tiga Dam were compared with those of the same gullies when the Tiga Dam was in operation.It is clear that valley-bottom gullies along the Kano channel changed from the typical, savanna shallow types (pre-Tiga) to deeper ones (post-Tiga). For example, the depth of the gully mouth increased from 1.3 m to 2.02 m, the gullies lost their alluvial deposits on the gully floors and a dual-cycle gully shape was established. The incision was rapid and intense, lasting not more than three wet seasons.It is argued that the construction of major dams on savanna streams would usually escalate fluvial processes on the valleyside slopes downstream, and that the maintenance of perennial flow in the relevant river channel would shorten the relaxation time required for a new equilibrium to occur.     

Erosion and sediment yields as influenced by coupled eolian and fluvial processes: The Yellow River,China

Based on data from the middle Yellow River, a model of erosion and sediment yield is proposed to describe coupled eolian and fluvial processes in a transitional zone from arid to sub-humid climates, and to explain rapid erosion and a high sediment yield in the zone. In the study area, wind action predominates from March to June, which erodes weathered bedrock and transports eolian sand to gullies, river channels and floodplains. In the following summer, especially from July to September, rainstorm runoff in gullies and river channels transports large quantities of fine loessic material, in the form of hyperconcentrated flow. As a result, most of the previously stored eolian sand and material supplied by mass-wasting of loess can be transported to the major tributaries and the main stream of the Yellow River, resulting in the high specific sediment yield. There exists an optimal grain size composition which maximizes suspended sediment concentration in the study area, resulted from the combined wind–water processes.     

流水地貌实验的发展与创新——缅怀沈玉昌先生创建流水地貌实验室的历程

作为中国现代河流地貌研究的开拓者和奠基人,沈玉昌先生对开创流水地貌实验研究的初衷,为后人创新流水地貌实验开拓了先河,特撰写本文纪念先生100周年诞辰。主要内容有：①憧憬河流地貌实验与筹建流水地貌实验室。包括先生的初衷、实验室调研与筹建、实验试运行及起步实验;②流水地貌实验室扩建及实验研究蓬勃发展。包括结合国家重大及地方委托项目开展的一系列实验研究,开拓流域地貌系统及坡面发育演变的实验,建立河流地貌过程响应实验相似型理论;③河流地貌实验的新进展。包括河流地貌实验室建设及实验装置更新,河型系统发育演变过程实验的新进展,穹隆与坳陷非均匀升降对河流地貌系统发育影响的实验等。最后进行了展望,为了使中国实验流水地貌学研究继续深化,需要进行6个方面创新探索,特别是：加强构造运动、气候变化及人类活动快速变化导致的非稳定状态河流动力地貌过程实验研究,揭示其复杂性、敏感性及前兆性特征,加强实验研究力量的协作与融合,加强流水地貌实验研究的综合性、交叉性学术交流。     

库布齐沙漠南缘风水交互特征及其对抛物线形沙丘发育的影响

通过对内蒙古库布齐沙漠南缘气象水文数据的监测、多期高分辨率遥感影像的分析以及实地考察,探讨区域风水交互特征及其对抛物线形沙丘形成发育的影响。结果表明：从1970年到2014年,研究区水沙作用方式逐渐由水沙平衡交互转变为流水侵蚀主导,期间叭尔洞沟发生多次高输沙量的洪水,河流大幅度改道,流水对上风向西岸横向沙丘的切割作用使得一部分残余沙丘留在东岸,成为沿岸抛物线形沙丘的初始沙源。在西北风作用下,河床内积累的沙物质通过东岸的输沙沟槽为沿岸抛物线形沙丘提供外来沙源。1970-2014年该区域合成输沙势持续下降,河床积累沙物质逐渐减少,在流水侵蚀主导阶段,洪水对河床沙丘的搬运以及降雨对河道沿岸阶地的坡面侵蚀使得河流对西岸沙丘的截沙作用增强,流水逐渐阻断外来沙源供给,为东岸首先发育新月形沙丘创造条件。随着风沙作用减弱,降水增加,新月形沙丘在植被"翼角固定"的转换机制下逐渐演变为抛物线形沙丘。库布齐沙漠南缘的风水交互作用对叭尔洞沟沿岸抛物线形沙丘形成发育产生较大影响,是区域风沙地貌形成演化的重要因素。     

沈玉昌与中国现代地貌学

沈玉昌教授是我国着名的地理学家和杰出的地貌学家。在60年的地理科学工作中,他对我国现代地貌学发展做出了卓越的贡献。从河流地貌、地貌区划与地貌制图、应用地貌等方面进行了综述。     

Geomorphological assessment of sites and impoundments for the long term containment of Uranium mill tailings in the Alligator Rivers region

This paper presents a program of current and future research into those geomorphological processes likely to affect the long term containment of uranium mill tailings in the Alligator Rivers Region of the Northern Territory. Research is directed at three main areas: (1) identification of geomorphic hazards at proposed impoundment sites; (2) determination of erosion rates on impoundment slopes; and (3) prediction of patterns of fluvial dispersal of released tailings. Each necessitates consideration of present and future geomorphic processes.     

Spatial analysis of factors controlling the presence of closed depressions and gullies under forest: Application of rare event logistic regression

Although numerous studies have reported on past geomorphic change, it is a common difficulty to identify the relative role of driving human or climatic forces. To that end, the possibilities of rare events logistic regression are explored in a 1300-hectare large, ancient forest in central Belgium. Here, 43 permanent gullies and 71 closed depressions were observed that were probably caused by an anthropogenically induced land use change in the past. This human origin was confirmed for a limited number of case-study areas by recent geomorphic research, with dating and soil profile analysis. The objective of this study is to analyze the factors controlling the position of all gullies and closed depressions in the study area and investigate their mutual relation. This will indicate whether or not the results obtained for the small case-study areas can be extrapolated to the rest of the geomorphic features found in the whole study area.The obtained logistic regression models show that both anthropogenic and physical factors are important in the spatial distribution of both geomorphic features. For the prediction of the occurrence of closed depressions, anthropogenic factors are most important however. The probability of finding a depression is larger close to reported prehistoric and Roman archaeological sites, on well-developed, undisturbed Luvisols and on northeast- to southeast-facing slopes. The local slope gradient of the soil surface is the most important factor in the multivariate model for predicting the presence of the permanent gullies. The occurrence probability of permanent gullies is also larger on northeast- to southeast-facing slopes. The anthropogenic factor expressed by the distance to the closed depressions is significant as a univariate model. This suggests that a critical slope gradient is a prerequisite for gully incision, but gully formation still needs to be triggered by a human-induced land use change. It can therefore be concluded that both the gullies and the closed depressions in the Meerdaal Forest are related to past human activity, either directly, through mining of loess or indirectly, through runoff production on cropland. This study also showed the potential of rare events logistic regression for analyzing the spatial pattern of geomorphological features in relation to environmental factors.     

The Siberian School of Experimental Geomorphology

This paper considers the results of geomorphological field experiments in Siberia conducted at the permanent stations operated by the V.B. Sochava Institute of Geography SB RAS for a 60-year period and describes the observation methods. A unique database of quantitative data on the modern relief dynamics is provided. The rates of slow mass motions of soils on slopes, and also of the deluvial, aeolian and channel processes are presented. Observations for long-term time series are summarized. Much attention is paid to the results from investigating the slope processes. The contribution of stationary investigations to the solution of fundamental problems in geomorphology is shown. The role of field experiments in understanding the temporal organization of geomorphological systems is emphasized. Dynamic phases of the intrasecular cycles of exogenous relief formation are investigated. Models of the contemporary functioning of denudation systems that cover all possible variety of dynamic phases and morphological and climatic conditions of denudation in semi-arid conditions of southern Siberia are obtained. It was found that the spatial ordering of exogenous relief formation in the south of Siberia is manifested in the form of a regional series of correlative denudational systems whose structure and functioning mode naturally vary along the aridity and continentality vectors of climate. The spatial ordering of aeolian lithostreams is shown, which are involved in a common cycle of matter spinning clockwise and moving aeolian fine material along the northern subarid foothills areas of the mountain belt of Southern Siberia. An important role of the observation results on the relief dynamics for solving ecological problems is pointed out. Prospects for a further development of experimental geomorphological research in Siberia using high-precision instruments, GIS technologies and other modern methods are outlined.