Inherent relationship of the USLE,RUSLE topographic factor algorithms and its impact on soil erosion modelling

ABSTRACT

The accurate representation of the Earth’s surface plays a vital role in soil erosion modelling. Topography is parameterized in the Universal Soil Loss Equation (USLE) and Revised USLE (RUSLE) by the topographic (LS) factor. For slope gradients of < 20%, soil loss values are similar for both models, but when the gradient is increased, RUSLE estimates are only half of those of USLE. The study aims to assess the validity of this statement for complex hillslope profiles. To that end, both models were applied at eight diverse mountainous sub-watersheds. The USLE and RUSLE indices were estimated utilizing the SEAGIS model and a European dataset, respectively. LS factors were in a 3:1 ratio (i.e. USLE:RUSLE) considering the entire basin area. For areas with slopes <20%, gross erosion estimates of both models converged. Sites of strong relief (>20%) USLE yielded significantly higher values than RUSLE.     

Atmospheric pollution assessment near potential source of natural aerosols in the South Gobi Desert region,China

ABSTRACT

Rapid economic growth, a high degree of urbanization and the proximity of a large number of desert and semidesert landscapes can have a significant impact on the atmosphere of adjacent territories, leading to high levels of atmospheric pollution. Therefore, identifying possible sources of atmospheric pollution is one of the main tasks. In this study, we carried out an analysis of spatial and temporal characteristics of five main atmospheric pollutants (PM_2.5, PM₁₀, SO₂, NO₂, and CO) near potential source of natural aerosols, affecting seven cities (Wuhai, Alashan, Wuzhong, Zhongwei, Wuwei, Jinchang, Zhangye), located in immediate proximity to the South Gobi deserts. The results, obtained for the period from 1 January 2016 to 31 December 2018, demonstrate total concentrations of PM_2.5 and PM₁₀ are 38.2 ± 19.5 and 101 ± 80.7 μg/m³ exceeding the same established by the Chinese National Ambient Air Quality Standard (CNAAQS), being 35 and 70 μg/m³, respectively. Based on the data from Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) for the whole period, Clean Сontinental (71.49%) and Mixed (22.29%) types of aerosols prevail in the region. In the spring and winter seasons maximum concentrations of pollutants and high values of Aerosol Optical Depth (AOD) in the region atmosphere are observed. PM_2.5 and PM₁₀ ratio shows the presence of coarse aerosols in the total content with value 0.43. The highest concentrations of pollutants were in the period of dust storms activity, when PM_2.5 and PM₁₀ content exceeded 200 and 1000 µg/m³, and AOD value exceeded 1. UV Aerosol Index (UVAI), Aerosol Absorbing Optical Depth (AAOD), and Single Scattering Albedo (SSA), obtained from Ozone Monitoring Instrument (OMI), demonstrate the high content of dust aerosols in the period of sandstorms. Analysis of backward trajectories shows that dust air masses moved from North to Northwest China, affecting large deserts such as Taklamakan, Gurbantunggut, Badain Jaran, Tengger, and Ulan Buh deserts.     

Analyzing multi-year rice-fallow dynamics in Odisha using multi-temporal Landsat-8 OLI and Sentinel-1 Data

ABSTRACT

Sustainable intensification of existing cropland is one of the most viable options for meeting the escalating food demands of the ever-increasing population in the world. Accurate geospatial data about the potential single-crop (rice-fallows) areas is vital for policymakers to target the agro-technologies for enhancing crop productivity and intensification. Therefore, the study aimed to evaluate and understand the dynamics of rice-fallows in the Odisha state of India, using SAR (Sentinel-1) and Optical (Landsat OLI) datasets. This study utilized a decision-tree approach and Principal component analysis (PCA) for the segmentation and separation of different vegetation classes. The estimated overall accuracy of extracted rice-fallow maps was in the range of 84 to 85 percent. The study identified about 2.2, 2.0 and 2.1mha of Rice-Fallows in the years 2015–16, 2016–17, and 2017–18, respectively. The combined analysis (all three years) of rice-fallow maps identified about 1.34mha of permanent rice-fallows, whereas the remaining 0.6–0.8mha area was under the current-fallow category. About 50% of the total permanent rice-fallows were detected in the rainfed areas of Mayurbhanj, Bhadrak, Bolangir, Sundargarh, Keonjhar, Baleswar, Nawarangpur and Bargarh districts. The study also illustrated the time-series profiles of SMAP (soil moisture) datasets for the ten agroclimatic zones of the Odisha, which can be utilized (along with rice-fallow maps) for the selection of crop and cultivars (e.g. short or medium duration pulses or oilseeds) to target the rice fallows. The approach utilized in the current study can be scaled up in similar areas of South and South-east Asia and Africa to identify single-crop areas for targeting improved technologies for enhanced crop productivity and intensification.     

风廓线雷达水平风数据质量控制

基于九龙站风廓线雷达实时水平风数据制定了水平风数据的质量控制方法，首先求取中位数水平风场，其次构建实际观测风场和中位数风场的差值序列，然后求取差值序列的均方差，再根据差值均方差得到质控判别式，最后试验求取质控判别式中的质控阈值。通过对九龙站2017年风廓线雷达水平风数据质量控制发现，实测风向数据有2044185个，25721个没有通过质控，未通过质控的风向数据占总观测的比例是1.258%，风向数据在近地层通过质控的数据最多，随高度增加通过质控的数据量有所下降。实测风速数据有2044185个，18296个没有通过质控，未通过质控的风速数据占总观测的比例是0.895%，风速数据在2000～4000 m出错的最少，近地层次之，4500～7000 m出错的数据最多。质控后风廓线雷达和探空观测风数据的均方根误差减小，相关系数增加，风向数据质量在500～7000 m提升明显，风速数据在1500～8000 m之间提升明显。     

浙江湖州地区膨胀土特征探讨

文章通过膨胀土的分布、成因类型、成分和结构特征及物理、力学性质的分析 ,证实膨胀土并非是理想的持力层     

Transport of water in frozen soil IV. Analysis of experimental results on the effects of ice content

Effects of ice content on the transport of water in frozen soil are studied experimentally and theoretically under isothermal conditions. A physical law, that the flux of water in unsaturated frozen soil is proportional to the gradient of total water content is proposed. Theoretical justification is made by the use of the two-phase flow theory. The experimental results are shown to support the proposed physical law. The results of this study are presented in two parts and this is the second paper describing the theoretical aspects of the study.     

A case study of the improvement of soil moisture initialization in IAP-PSSCA

A prediction system is employed to investigate the potential use of a soil moisture initialization scheme in seasonal precipitation prediction through a case study of severe floods in 1998. The results show that driving the model with reasonable initial soil moisture distribution is helpful for precipitation prediction,and the initialization scheme is easy to use in operational prediction.     

土层结构对反应谱特征周期的影响

本文选取和构造了若干有工程意义的典型场地剖面,利用目前工程上广泛应用的场地地震反应分析的一维等效线性化波动方法,计算了在不同地震动输入下的不同场地剖面的地表加速度峰值和地表速度峰值。利用计算得到的地表加速度峰值和速度峰值计算了不同场地在不同地震动输入下的反应谱的特征周期。研究了不同土层结构对地表加速度反应谱特征周期的影响,获得了一些有意义的结果。     

A remote sensing model for monitoring soil evaporation based on differential thermal inertia and its validation

To develop geosciences quantification and multi-dimensional researches will be an inevitable trend in the 21st century. The interaction between the land surface and the atmosphere not only serves as an important component in geosciences quantification, bu…