Hydrological cycle and water balance estimates for the megadune–lake region of the Badain Jaran Desert,China

The hydrology and water balance of megadunes and lakes have been investigated in the Badain Jaran Desert of China. Field observations and analyses of sand layer water content, field capacity, secondary salt content, and grain size reveal 3 types of important natural phenomenon: (a) vegetation bands on the leeward slope of the megadunes reflect the hydrological regime within the sandy vadose zone; (b) seepage, wet sand deposits, and secondary salt deposits indicate the pattern of water movement within the sandy vadose zone; (c) zones of groundwater seeps and descending springs around the lakes reflect the influence of the local topography on the hydrological regime of the megadunes. The seepage exposed on the sloping surface of the megadunes and gravity water contained within the sand layer confirm the occurrence of preferential flow within the vadose zone of the megadunes. Alternating layers of coarse and fine sand create the conditions for the formation of preferential flows. The preferential flows promote movement of water within the sand layer water that leads to deep penetration of water within the megadunes and ultimately to the recharging of groundwater and lake water. Our results indicate that a positive water balance promotes recharge of the megadunes, which depends on the high permeability of the megadune material, the shallow depth of the surface sand layer affected by evaporation, the occurrence of rainfall events exceeding 15 mm, and the sparse vegetation cover. Water balance estimates indicate that the annual water storage of the megadunes is about 7.5 mm, accounting for only 8% of annual precipitation; however, the shallow groundwater per unit area under the megadunes receives only 3.6% of annual precipitation, but it is still able to maintain a dynamic balance of the lake water. From a water budget perspective, the annual water storage in the megadunes is sufficient to serve as a recharge source for lake water, thereby enabling the long‐term persistence of the lakes. Overall, our findings demonstrate that precipitation is a significant component of the hydrological cycle in arid deserts.     

等效沙厚度研究进展

风、沉积物和地表覆盖是控制沙丘地貌的三大要素.沉积物尤其是沙源供应对沙丘地貌的影响仍有待深入研究.沙丘体积的研究促使了等效沙厚度(equivalent sand thickness,EST)概念的提出.EST研究经历了多个沙丘和亚沙丘尺度2个研究阶段.多个沙丘EST研究发现,EST与沙丘高度之间具有较好的一致性,其与方...     

应用音频大地电磁法探测内蒙古巴丹吉林高大沙山结构及成因

巴丹吉林沙漠拥有世界罕见的高大沙山群。为了解巴丹吉林高大沙山结构与成因,应用音频大地电磁法进行测量,利用非线性共轭梯度法二维反演得到了沙山的横截电性剖面。沙山电性剖面深部呈现明显的低阻,而沙山中部存在一定规模高阻区域。判断巴丹吉林沙漠众多高大沙山群的形成是由其稳定的西北风作用、源源不断的地下水补给机制和特殊的地层环境共同作用的结果。地下水由于蒸腾作用上升遇到古老沙丘的钙质层阻挡,由背风坡底部蒸发出来。水蒸气凝结在顶部滚落的沙子表面,使其抗风蚀能力增强,起到固沙作用;随着时间推移,沙山越来越大,形成高大沙山。     

巴丹吉林沙漠高大沙山典型区风沙地貌的分形特性

以分维为工具,以分维数为中介参数刻画巴丹吉林沙漠高大沙山典型区风沙地貌的形态特征,研究发现,该区星状沙山多单独分布,其沙山高度较综合型星状沙山及复合型星状沙山小,一般多在100~200 m之间,形态相对简单,因而其分维数较小(D=1.042462)。综合型星状沙山,为在巨大的沙山体上迭置有次一级的星状沙丘,其规模小于复合型星链状沙山,高度多达200~300 m,该类型沙山形态结构较星状沙山复杂,因而其分维数高于星状沙山(D=1.119346)。复合型星链状沙山,是构成该区域高大沙山的主体,其相对高度大于300 m,平均为30943 m,最高可达465 m,沙山形态结构颇复杂,在其巨大的沙山体上迭加有许多相同类型的次一级沙丘及古沙丘,规模也较综合型星状沙山大,因而其分维数最大(D=1.148164)。     

巴丹吉林高大沙山表层孔隙水现象的疑义

1997-2003年对巴丹吉林沙漠中不同位置共7个高大沙山和1个流动沙丘表层2m内的孔隙水情况用常规方法作了观测,每年均在相近日期进行。孔隙水量随深度而增大,历年观测期间2m附近的体积含水量约3%,达到相应实测最大持水量的约65%或更高,25cm至1m孔隙水δ18O的正值表明它经过了反复补给-蒸发过程。观测了雨后入渗深度及其在沙丘120m坡面上的分布,另由历年短期能量平衡测验获得沙山陆面蒸发和凝结概念。认为当地年降水量和凝结量不足以对沙山2m表层内的孔隙水现象作出解释,疑另有与大尺度地下水系统相关的补给源。     

巴丹吉林沙漠及其高大沙山研究评述

亚洲内陆干旱化是国际古环境研究的热点问题。巴丹吉林沙漠是亚洲内陆第二大流动沙漠,拥有世界最高大的风积地貌——沙山,是亚洲内陆干旱化研究的重要载体。沙山的形成演化与其所在沙漠的环境变迁有关,且真实地记录了区域与全球的气候变化。沙山形成过程研究应从区域地质和环境演化入手。本文从地质演化、环境演化、沙漠沉积、沙漠水文、沙山地貌和沙山形成发育等6个方面阐述了有关巴丹吉林沙漠的高大沙山、沙漠湖泊和沙漠自身的形成演化。认为构造-气候事件是亚洲内陆干旱化的一级控制,地球运行轨道变化是二级控制。自新构造运动始至其趋缓,构造-气候事件始终是巴丹吉林沙漠环境气候的主控因素,地球运行轨道变化也起很大的作用。此时西风环流是中国北方沙漠带环境气候的主要驱动力。新构造运动趋缓后,地球运行轨道变化是中国北方沙漠带环境气候的主控因素,青藏高原对大气环流的影响逐渐显现,东亚季风环流是该地区环境气候的主要驱动力。古水说可以很好地解释沙漠湖泊水的来源问题,沙漠湖泊是通过浅层的地下水路依靠保存在地下的古水来相互补给的。宏观上沙漠湖泊是风蚀湖,高大沙山的维持与沙漠湖泊之间不存在必然的因果关系。风成说可以较好地解释沙山的成因。未...