GIS‐based modelling of soil erosion processes using the modified‐MMF (MMMF) model in a large watershed having vast agro‐climatological differences

The present study demonstrates a spatially distributed application of a field‐scale annual soil loss model, the modified‐MMF (MMMF), to a large watershed using hydrological routing techniques, remote sensing data and geospatial technologies. In this study, the MMMF model is implemented after incorporating the corrections suggested in recent literature along with appropriate modifications of the model to suit the agro‐climatological conditions prevailing in most parts of India. Sensitivity analysis carried out through an Average Linear Sensitivity approach indicates that the model outputs are highly sensitive to soil moisture (MS), bulk density (BD), effective hydraulic depth (EHD), ground cover (GC) and settling velocity for clay (VS_c). During calibration and validation, the performance evaluation statistics are mostly in the range of very good to satisfactory for both runoff and soil loss at the watershed outlet. Even spatial validation of the results of intermediate processes in the water phase and the sediment phase, although qualitative, seems to be reasonable and rational. Furthermore, the soil erosion severity analysis for different land‐uses existing in the watershed indicates that about 90% of the watershed area, especially that occupied by agricultural lands, is vulnerable to the long‐term effects of soil erosion. Copyright © 2018 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Spatial and temporal analysis of hillslope–channel coupling and implications for the longitudinal profile in a dryland basin

The long‐term evolution of channel longitudinal profiles within drainage basins is partly determined by the relative balance of hillslope sediment supply to channels and the evacuation of channel sediment. However, the lack of theoretical understanding of the physical processes of hillslope–channel coupling makes it challenging to determine whether hillslope sediment supply or channel sediment evacuation dominates over different timescales and how this balance affects bed elevation locally along the longitudinal profile. In this paper, we develop a framework for inferring the relative dominance of hillslope sediment supply to the channel versus channel sediment evacuation, over a range of temporal and spatial scales. The framework combines distinct local flow distributions on hillslopes and in the channel with surface grain‐size distributions. We use these to compute local hydraulic stresses at various hillslope‐channel coupling locations within the Walnut Gulch Experimental Watershed (WGEW) in southeast Arizona, USA. These stresses are then assessed as a local net balance of geomorphic work between hillslopes and channel for a range of flow conditions generalizing decadal historical records. Our analysis reveals that, although the magnitude of hydraulic stress in the channel is consistently higher than that on hillslopes, the product of stress magnitude and frequency results in a close balance between hillslope supply and channel evacuation for the most frequent flows. Only at less frequent, high‐magnitude flows do channel hydraulic stresses exceed those on hillslopes, and channel evacuation dominates the net balance. This result suggests that WGEW exists mostly (~50% of the time) in an equilibrium condition of sediment balance between hillslopes and channels, which helps to explain the observed straight longitudinal profile. We illustrate how this balance can be upset by climate changes that differentially affect relative flow regimes on slopes and in channels. Such changes can push the long profile into a convex or concave condition. © 2018 The Authors. Earth Surface Processes and Landforms published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.     

Streamflow elasticity,in a context of climate change,in arid Andean watersheds of north-central Chile

ABSTRACT

Based on a future temperature increase of 0.5°C and precipitation decrease of 25%, the climate elasticity of streamflow to precipitation and temperature changes in 12 Andean watersheds of the Coquimbo Region, north-central Chile, was assessed. Also, the possible relationships between this elasticity and specific physiographic characteristics of the watersheds (area, average elevation, slope distribution, terrain roughness, slope orientation, vegetation cover) were studied. Climate elasticity of streamflow ranged between 0 and 2.8. Watersheds presenting higher elevations, with a fairly well-balanced distribution of slope exposure tend to exhibit lower elasticity, which could be explained by the contribution of snowfall to the hydrological regime, more significant in those watersheds. Results should be considered when downscaling climate model projections at the basin scale in mountain settings. Finally, uncertainties in the approach, given by factors such as streamflow seasonality, data availability and representativeness and watershed characteristics, and therefore the scope of the results, are discussed.     

TRMM降水数据在中天山区域的精度评估分析

 遥感降水产品能反映降水的时空分布变化,对于资料稀缺的西北干旱区生态水文研究有重大意义。TRMM卫星降水资料在热带湿润地区有大量应用,但要将其用于我国西北干旱半干旱气候地区,还需对该数据产品在质量进行评估。选择干旱区内陆的新疆天山中部为研究区,并以周边15个台站的实测数据为依据对TRMM3B42降水数据质量进行评价。结果表明：（1）TRMM3B42数据对日降水事件的估计准确率较低,但是总体上暖季好于冷季,相对于较大的降水,对发生量小的降水估计更为准确;在暖季高估量小降水,低估量大降水,冷季则相反;（2）月降水情况来看,天山南坡两站与北坡的规律不符;对北坡山区降水估计的精度好于平原区,并且精度与海拔呈抛物线分布,降水越大的区域精度越高;偏差量的年内分布在各海拔区域之内一致性较好,但区域之间规律各有特点;（3）从年降水量来看,TRMM降水整体低于站点观测值,并且差量随着高程具有抛物线分布的特征。总之,该降水产品的质量总体上不高,但是其偏差在时间和空间上具有一定的规律性,该数据在干旱区的应用需要进一步校准处理。     

Insights into the formation of rock varnish in prevailing dusty regions

The characteristics of rock varnish from the Campo de Piedra Pomez (CPP, Andes Argentina) provides new insights into the development of rock varnish under severe dusty conditions. The CPP varnish has been analysed using SEM‐EDAX and Raman techniques. The rock coating is tens of microns in thickness and under the microscope shows a micro to cryptocrystalline appearance and a general granular texture. Silica (quartz, cristobalite and amorphous silica) is the main phase forming these coverings followed by Al, K and Na compounds. Minor Fe oxides and Mn oxides are the source for the orange (Fe) and brown (Fe and Mn) hues of the coating. The results obtained for the CPP coating show that desert varnish developed under dusty circumstances does not have the appearance of typical rock varnish. Textural characteristics include high crystallinity and granular arrangement of the components. Moreover the absence of typical microlaminations is related to the presence of aeolian mineral grains which inhibit their development. The main mechanism of formation of rock varnish under such environmental circumstances is the direct incorporation of aeolian mineral grains into the varnish. However, other physicochemical processes are also required to explain the formation of varnish components such as amorphous silica or iron oxides phases. Although the development of the desert varnish may act as a protector of the underlying pyroclastic rock, the extreme and persistent windy conditions in the CPP field are high enough to weather and erode not only the rock coating but also the original ignimbrite. As other warm desert sites on Earth, the CPP area can also be considered as possible terrestrial analogue to Mars. Some environmental attributes might be similar to those expected on the Martian surface and thus, textural similarities between the CPP varnish and the rock varnish‐like coating of Mars are likely. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

一种基于植被指数-地表温度特征空间的蒸散指数

利用遥感获取的植被指数和地表温度信息,进行地表能量和水分平衡过程研究是目前陆表过程研究的前沿。根据地表能量和水分平衡原理,对地表温度(Ts)、植被指数(VI),地表蒸散发(ET)之间的空间关系进行了分析,并基于假设条件,构建了温度植被蒸散指数(TVETI)。为验证TVETI表征地表蒸散的能力,利用环境卫星数据和SEBAL模型,对SEBAL模型中各能量通量构建的蒸散指数与TVETI进行线性回归分析,从2012年4~9月6个不同日期的确定性系数分别为:0.838、0.935、0.912、0.921、0.926、0.825, TVETI能很好的表征地表蒸散能力。通过对SEBAL模型估算的ET和TVETI估算的ET进行交叉验证发现,两者大小一致性显著, TVETI可以实现区域尺度地表蒸散发的快速估算。     

高密度电阻率法和激发极化法在抗旱找水定井位中的应用

针对河南省新乡市凤泉区严重缺水现状,利用高密度电阻率法、高密度电阻率法与激发极化对称四极测深组合在水文地质条件复杂的松散层和基岩干旱地区勘查地下水,结合水文地质资料和成井条件所定的井位,后经施工钻孔验证,定井成功率100%,解决了人、畜急需用水问题。通过以上两种方法结合或单一方法在该地区不同水文地质条件下的实际应用和应用效果分析,总结出针对该地区特定的水文地质条件选择高密度电阻率法、高密度电阻率法与激发极化法组合模式。密度电阻率法和激发极化法组合模式在该地区地下水勘查中的运用提高了地质解释的准确性和可靠性,值得在类似水文地质条件和地区推广应用。     

Geologic and hydrologic settings for development of freshwater lenses in arid lands

Satellite observations were used to test the validity of previously identified favourable conditions for the formation of freshwater lenses, identify additional potential occurrences, and model modern potential recharge in the Raudhatain Watershed (3696) in northern Kuwait. Favourable conditions include infrequent yet intensive precipitation events, drainage depressions to collect the limited runoff, and presence of conditions (e.g. high infiltration capacity) that promote groundwater recharge and preservation (e.g. underlying saline aquifer) of infiltrating groundwater as freshwater lenses floating over saline aquifer water due to differences in density. Specifically, the following field and satellite‐based observations were noted for the Raudhatain Watershed: (1) Over ~30 precipitation events were identified from the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission precipitation data (1998–2009); (2) slope is gentle (2 m/km), and the surface is largely (80%) covered by alluvial deposits with high infiltration capacities (up to 9 m/day); (3) no flows and long‐term ponding were reported at the watershed outlet or detected from Landsat thematic mapper images; (4) infiltration is high based on increases in soil moisture content (from an advanced microwave scanning radiometer) and vegetation index following large precipitation events; and (5) freshwater lenses that overlie highly saline [total dissolved solids (TDS): >35 000] unconfined aquifers underlying the watershed are absent in the southern regions, where infiltrating fresh water mixes with the less saline groundwater (TDS: <10 000). Twenty potential locations (size: 1 to 75 km²) for freshwater lens development were identified in northern Kuwait, and continuous rainfall–runoff models (Soil Water and Assessment Tool) were applied to provide a first‐order estimation of the average annual recharge in the watershed (127 × 10⁶ m³) and freshwater lenses (8.17 × 10⁶ m³). Results demonstrate the settings for enhanced opportunities for groundwater recharge, outline the amounts of and preservation conditions for the groundwater feeding the freshwater lenses, and highlight potential applications and locations of freshwater lenses in similar settings elsewhere in the Arabian Peninsula and beyond. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

1961-2010年西北干旱区极端降水指数的时空变化分析

结合绝对阈值和百分位法定义极端降水事件的优点,提出了一种更灵敏的检测极端降水事件的方法. 该方法不仅能检测出常用降水指数无法检测到的降水量稀少地区尤其干旱区的极端降水事件,同时也能过滤掉其检测到的降水量丰富地区的虚假极端降水事件. 此方法首次被应用于统计1961年1月至2010年2月西北干旱区72个气象站点的年和季节的极端降水指数（大降水和强降水指数）,并分析了极端降水指数的时间变化趋势及其空间分布特征. 结果表明：西北干旱区春（3-5月）、秋（9-11月）、冬（12月至次年2月）三季极端降水指数无显著（P>0.05）变化趋势,夏季（6-8月）大降水的频率和降水量以及大降水降水量占总降水量的比重都显著增加;新疆地区极端降水指数为增加趋势的区域基本都分布在海拔较高（约海拔1 000 m以上）的地区;西北干旱区东部极端降水指数变化趋势的空间分布有明显的季节差异,表现为夏、秋季大部分地区为增加趋势,冬、春季大部分地区为减小趋势.     

利用TM数据提取干旱区土地覆被信息的方法比较

以柴达木盆地香日德绿洲作为研究实验区,对该区域ETM遥感数据经过空间分辨率融合、主成分分析等方法进行空间信息增强及专题信息增强处理,组合最佳视觉背景图像,分别在不同背景图像上选择训练样本,利用最大似然法监督分类方法(MLC)、多空间尺度分层聚类(SSHC)和基于知识的模糊聚类方法(KFC)等分类器,分别用各自训练样本初始化各类别信息特征值,形成类别特征值模式库,分别以此为基础对待分样本进行分类,对初分类的结果经过类别合并、碎斑滤除以及重新编码赋色等分类后处理,得到最终分类结果及分类精度评价结果。从所获数据可以得出如下结论：从总体精度和Kappa值可知,SSHC和．KFC分类方法所获结果精度较高,总体精度比MLC分类结果约高于3％,SSHC之结果精度略高于KFC之结果;SSHC、KFC和MLC三种分类方法对该区域地表覆被信息的提取分类中,SSHC分类方法对耕地、石砾地、河滩和荒漠分类结果较好,KFC分类方法对耕地、沙地、河滩和荒漠分类结果较好,MLC分类方法对耕地、河滩和荒漠分类结果较好,三种分类方法对耕地、河滩和荒漠等三种地类的分类精度较高,用户精度都在80％以上,而对沙地和石砾地的分类结果其用户精度大都低于80％。