Spatially distributed modelling of soil erosion and sediment yield at regional scales in Spain

Initiated by the need to quantify erosion rates and the impacts of global changes on erosion, several attempts have been made to apply erosion models at regional scales. However, these models have often been directed towards on-site soil erosion estimates, emphasising sheet and rill erosion processes, and disregarding gully erosion, channel erosion and sediment transport. These models are therefore of limited use for the assessment of sediment yield, off-site impacts of erosion, and for the development of environmental management to control these impacts at regional scale. This study analyses and compares three spatially distributed models for the prediction of soil erosion and/or sediment yield at regional scales: the WATEM-SEDEM model that is based on the empirical Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE) in combination with a sediment transport equation, the physics-based Pan European Soil Erosion Risk Assessment model (PESERA), and a newly developed Spatially Distributed Scoring model (SPADS). The three models were applied to 61 Spanish drainage basins and model predictions were evaluated against data on measured reservoir sedimentation rates. Global data sets on land use, climate, elevation and soil characteristics were used as model input for WATEM-SEDEM and SPADS, whereas published soil erosion estimates of PESERA at 1 km² resolution were used directly. SPADS and WATEM-SEDEM provided best results after separate calibration for basins with a Sediment Delivery Ratio (SDR) higher than 5% and those with an SDR lower than 5%. In this way, SPADS explained 67% of variation in sediment yield, while WATEM-SEDEM explained 48% of the variation. PESERA represents a promising alternative to the use of empirical models at the regional scale as it can be applied to very diverse environments with little calibration. However, PESERA provides soil erosion rates and not sediment yield estimates. For most basins PESERA soil erosion rates vary between fifty and close to zero percent of total sediment yield. Two major factors may explain this discrepancy between modelled soil erosion rates and measured sediment yield. First, it may be that PESERA underestimates soil erosion under Mediterranean conditions, although PESERA soil erosion rates are of the same order of magnitude as erosion rates measured in erosion plot studies. Second, gully-, river channel erosion and sediment transport processes may be much more important than sheet- and rill erosion for regional scale sediment yield in these environments. These issues therefore require further attention in future model development. Although spatially lumped models provide better predictions of sediment yield at the basin scale, and while validation of the predicted spatial patterns of sources and sinks of sediment requires further research, spatially distributed models are expected to be of value to support management decisions regarding the assessment of on-site and off-site impacts of erosion at the regional scale.     

板块俯冲起始与成熟阶段的差异变质响应

板块俯冲起始是俯冲带最不为人知的关键过程之一,对理解全球板块构造如何启动有重要意义。本文综合了最新的数值模拟、变质岩石学和年代学研究结果,探讨板块俯冲起始到成熟阶段的热结构和变质作用差异。从俯冲起始到成熟阶段,俯冲带热结构由"热"变"冷",初始俯冲更可能形成的是角闪岩或麻粒岩,形成于热俯冲环境,以逆时针p-t轨迹为主,通常伴随板块部分熔融过程;而成熟阶段形成的主要是低温蓝片岩和榴辉岩,形成于冷俯冲环境,具有典型的顺时针p-t轨迹,以板块变质脱水为主。对俯冲带高t/p变质岩(如变质底板)的进变质过程、时间以及构造背景等方面需进一步加强研究,以获取更详实的现代板块俯冲起始阶段的地质过程。     

泥石流学科的发展和对策

泥石流研究首先要积极投身于国民经济建设主战场,并以泥石流综合防治为契机,促进山区生态经济系统的良性循环,使得根治泥石流灾害与社会、经济、生态环境协调发展。其次,要突破学科的前沿问题——泥石流起动理论和阻力规律。初步提出了实现目标的措施。     

DEM空间插值方法对土壤侵蚀模拟的影响研究——以USPED分析干热河谷典型冲沟为例

为探索不同空间插值方法得到的DEM如何影响土壤侵蚀模拟效果,本文选择金沙江干热河谷区典型冲沟为研究对象,利用野外测量高程数据,采用反距离加权(IDW)、析取克里格(DK)、局部多项式(LPI)和张力样条函数(ST)4种方法构建高精度DEM。基于USPED模型模拟冲沟的土壤侵蚀,对比不同空间插值方法的精度、土壤侵蚀的空间分布,采用相对差系数对比不同插值在土壤侵蚀研究中的相似性。结果表明：DEM空间插值的精度排序为ST相似文献   

Threshold criterion for debris flow initiation in seasonal gullies

A series of flume experiments were done to investigate the effect of grain composition on the critical gradient and discharge of debris flows initiated in seasonal gullies. The results indicated that the critical gradient and discharge for debris flow initiation decrease initially, and then increase as the mass content of fine particles (<2 mm) increases. As the mass content of fine particles increases, the angle of repose, permeability of widely graded gravel soils, and the incipient motion conditions of the coarse grains in non-uniform sediments decrease at first, and then increase. The mass content of fine particles of all inflection points is the same. The theoretical model based on the combination of hydrodynamic force and shear stress is more applicable to the prediction of the critical gradient for debris flow initiation. The critical discharge model considering the effect of non-homogeneity of the soil and the size of coarse and fine grains provides a more accurate prediction of debris flow initiation than other models based on the mean diameter.     

Soil erosion in the Anthropocene: Research needs

Soil erosion is a geomorphological and, at the same time, a land degradation process that may cause environmental and property damage, loss of livelihoods and services as well as social and economic disruption. Erosion not only lowers soil quality on‐site, but causes also significant sediment‐related problems off‐site. Given the large number of research papers on this topic, one might therefore conclude that we know now almost everything about soil erosion and its control so that little new knowledge can be added. This conclusion can be refuted by pointing to some major research gaps. There is a need for more research attention to (1) improved understanding of both natural and anthropogenic soil erosion processes and their interactions, (2) scaling up soil erosion processes and rates in space and time, and (3) innovative techniques and strategies to prevent soil erosion or reduce erosion rates. This is illustrated with various case studies from around the world. If future research addresses these research gaps, we will (1) better understand processes and their interactions operating at a range of spatial and temporal scales, predict their rates as well as their on‐site and off‐site impacts, which is academically spoken rewarding but also crucial for better targeting erosion control measures, and (2) we will be in a better position to select the most appropriate and effective soil erosion control techniques and strategies which are highly necessary for a sustainable use of soils in the Anthropocene. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Assessment of soil factors controlling ephemeral gully erosion on agricultural fields

The soil factor is crucial in controlling and properly modeling the initiation and development of ephemeral gullies (EGs). Usually, EG initiation has been related to various soil properties (i.e. sealing, critical shear stress, moisture, texture, etc.); meanwhile, the total growth of each EG (erosion rate) has been linked with proper soil erodibility. But, despite the studies to determine the influence of soil erodibility on (ephemeral) gully erosion, a universal approach is still lacking. This is due to the complex relationship and interactions between soil properties and the erosive process. A feasible soil characterization of EG erosion prediction on a large scale should be based on simple, quick and inexpensive tests to perform. The objective of this study was to identify and assess the soil properties – easily and quickly to determine – which best reflect soil erodibility on EG erosion. Forty‐nine different physical–chemical soil properties that may participate in establishing soil erodibility were determined on agricultural soils affected by the formation of EGs in Spain and Italy. Experiments were conducted in the laboratory and in the field (in the vicinity of the erosion paths). Because of its importance in controlling EG erosion, five variables related to antecedent moisture prior to the event that generated the gullies and two properties related to landscape topography were obtained for each situation. The most relevant variables were detected using multivariate analysis. The results defined 13 key variables: water content before the initiation of EGs, organic matter content, cation exchange capacity, relative sealing index, two granulometric and organic matter indices, seal permeability, aggregates stability (three index), crust penetration resistance, shear strength and an erodibility index obtained from the Jet Test erosion apparatus. The latter is proposed as a useful technique to evaluate and predict soil loss caused by EG erosion. Copyright © 2018 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Geochemical characteristics of a pre-Middle Jurassic oceanic crust fragment from the Central Pontides in northern Turkey: Geodynamic implications on intra-oceanic subduction initiation

The Central Pontides (northern Turkey) is one of the key localities to understand the geodynamic evolution of the Palaeo- and Neotethyan oceans. It consists of the pre-Jurassic basement units, the Early Jurassic and the Early Cretaceous accretionary complexes, the widespread Middle Jurassic continental arc magmatics and the Late Jurassic to Tertiary cover units. The Early Cretaceous accretionary complex is represented by the Central Pontide Structural Complex and includes the Middle Jurassic oceanic units, which were metamorphosed during the Early Cretaceous. Apart from these oceanic units, a few metaophiolite and serpentinite fragments have been recognized within the basement units, which may represent the remnants of an older ocean. The pre-Middle Jurassic Devrekani Metaophiolite is the largest oceanic fragment and tectonically intercalated within/between the Devrekani Metamorphics and the Çangaldağ Metamorphic Complex. It is mainly composed of harzburgites, dunites with chromite veins and metagabbros, and cut by metabasaltic andesites and metadacites. Petrographically, the gabbro consists mainly of plagioclase and clinopyroxene, and displays phaneritic/porphyritic texture. In contrast, the metabasaltic andesite includes plagioclase and mica phenocrysts within a fine-grained groundmass. Also, the metadacite is composed predominantly of quartz, plagioclase, and mica minerals. Two different magmatic groups belonging to completely different tectono-magmatic settings have been geochemically determined based on the immobile trace element systematics. The metadacites and metabasaltic andesites are akin to continental arc magmatics and characterized by negative Nb and Ta anomalies and depleted HFSE relative to Th and La contents. However, the metagabbro samples display the geochemical signatures of boninitic rocks and characterized by highly depletion in HFSEs and REEs relative to N-MORB. The Devrekani Metaophiolite in the Central Pontides may represent another remnant of pre-Middle Jurassic oceanic crust generation and can be north-eastward continuation of the Permian-aged Almacık complex and the Boğazköy Metaophiolite fragment in the western Sakarya Composite Terrane. It may have been cut by intrusions of the extensive Middle Jurassic continental arc magmatism after its imbrication within the basement unit. The presence of pre-Middle Jurassic oceanic units may indicate that the Paleozoic ocean may have survived as the Jurassic Intra-Pontide Ocean between the Scythian Platform and Sakarya Composite Terrane during the Mesozoic time. Thus, the Intra-Pontide Suture may normally include the Palaeozoic and Mesozoic remnants of the long-lived northward subducting Tethyan ocean.     

含交叉裂隙节理岩体单轴压缩破坏机制研究

对含交叉裂隙相似材料试件进行单轴压缩试验,用Abaqus对含交叉裂隙节理岩体进行应力分析,研究了含交叉裂隙节理岩体单轴压缩下的破坏机制。结果表明：交叉裂隙的主裂隙与加载方向呈30°、45°时,主裂隙是裂隙扩展及破坏的控制裂隙,此时含交叉裂隙岩体强度高于含单向裂隙岩体,是由于主裂隙裂尖最大环向应力σθmax低于单向裂隙;主裂隙与加载方向呈0°或90°时,次裂隙是控制裂隙;主裂隙与加载方向呈0°时,大部分次裂隙裂尖σθmax及裂尖最大应力强度因子KⅡmax高于单向裂隙,因此,此时大部分含交叉裂隙岩体强度低于含单向裂隙岩体;在主裂隙与加载方向呈90°工况组中,主、次裂隙夹角为45°时,次裂隙裂尖KⅡmax最大,所以此工况组中此时强度最低。     

基于RS和GIS的松辽平原黑土流失研究

基于RS和GIS技术,利用1986年TM数据和2001年ETM数据,对松辽平原黑土分布现状与动态变化进行监测研究,分析了黑土流失特点及其时空分布规律,并引入冲沟线密度概念量化黑土流失趋势。结果表明:松辽平原典型黑土面积54 989.92 km2,沿京哈铁路线呈弧形条带状展布;1986~2001年间,黑土区水土流失面积达3 765.21 km2,减少速度为251.01 km2/a,集中在河流两岸、较大建筑用地附近和与盐碱土接壤的地区;仅考虑冲沟的有效作用域,预计到2016年黑土面积平均会有1411.0 km2/a转变为冲沟,黑土流失状况不容乐观。