Estimating interrill soil erosion from aggregate stability of Ultisols in subtropical China

During raindrop impact soil, aggregates breakdown and produce finer, more transportable particles and micro-aggregates. These particles and micro-aggregates appreciably affect the processes of infiltration, seal and crust development, runoff, and soil erosion. Aggregate stability is, therefore, an important property that may explain, quantify, and predict these processes. This study was designed to develop improved formulae for assessing interrill erosion rate by incorporating the aggregate stability index (A_s) in the prediction evaluations for soil erodibilites of Ultisols in subtropical China. Field experiments of simulated rainfall involving rainstorm simulations with medium and high rainfall intensity were conducted on six cultivated soils for which the soil aggregate stability was determined by the LB-method. This study yielded two prediction equations D_i = 0.23A_sI²(1.05 − 0.85 exp^−4sin θ) and D_i = 0.34A_sqI(1.05 − 0.85 exp^−4sin θ) that allowed a comparison of their efficiency in assessing the interrill erosion rate. A_s is an aggregate stability index, which reflected the main mechanisms of aggregate breakdown in interrill erosion process, θ is the slope angle, I is the rainfall intensity, and q is the runoff rate. Relatively good agreement was obtained between predicted and measured values of erosion rates for each of the prediction models (R² = 0.86^**, and R² = 0.90^**). It was concluded that these formulae based on the stability index, A_s, have the potential to improve methodology for assessing interrill erosion rates for the subtropical Chinese Ultisols. Considering the time-consuming and costly experimentation of runoff rate measurements, the equation without runoff rate (q) was the more convenient and effective one to predict interrill erosion rates on Ultisols of subtropical China.     

Interrill erosion from disturbed and undisturbed samples in relation to topsoil aggregate stability in red soils from subtropical China

The assessment of soil erodibility to water erosion in the field is often expensive and time-consuming. This study was designed to reveal the effects of aggregate breakdown mechanisms on interrill erosion dynamics and develop an improved model for assessing interrill soil loss, which incorporated the soil aggregate stability tests as a substitute for the interrill erodibility parameter, from both disturbed and undisturbed samples for red soils in subtropical China. Six cultivated areas of sloping land with red soils were selected, and topsoil aggregate stability was analyzed using the Le Bissonnais method to determine the different disaggregation forces. Laboratory rainfall simulations were designed to distinguish the effects of slaking (at different wetting rates) and mechanical breakdown (with and without screening) on soil erosion characteristics. Field rainstorm simulations with medium and high rainfall intensities were conducted on runoff plots (2 m 1 m) with slope gradients varying from 10% to 20% for each soil type. A new instability index, Ka, which considers aggregate breakdown mechanisms in interrill erosion processes, was proposed based on the disturbed sample results. Ka showed a close relationship with erosion rates in both disturbed and undisturbed samples. Following from the results of undisturbed sample experiments, Ka was used as a substitute for the erodibility factor, and introduced into the WEPP model, establishing a new erosion predication formula for red soils which had a good correlation coefficient (R² = 0.89**). This research made a good attempt at estimating the interrill erosion rate on the basis of aggregate stability from simple laboratory determinations. These results extend the validity of soil aggregation characterization as an appropriate indicator of soil susceptibility to interrill erosion in red soils from subtropical China. The formula based on the instability index, Ka, has the potential to improve the methodology used for assessing interrill erosion rates.     

Impacts of soil tilth on the effectiveness of biological geotextiles in reducing runoff and interrill erosion

The effectiveness of a surface cover material (e.g. geotextiles, rock fragments, mulches, vegetation) in reducing runoff and soil erosion rates is often only assessed by the fraction of the soil surface covered. However, there are indications that soil structure has important effects on the runoff and erosion-reducing effectiveness of the cover materials. This study investigates the impact of soil pre-treatment (i.e. fine tilth versus sealed soil surface) on the effectiveness of biological geotextiles in increasing infiltration rates and in reducing runoff and interrill erosion rates on a medium and steep slope gradient. Rainfall was simulated during 60 min with an intensity of 67 mm h⁻¹ on an interrill erosion plot having two slope gradients (i.e. 15 and 45%) and filled with an erodible sandy loam. Five biological and three simulated geotextiles with different cover percentage were tested on two simulated initial soil conditions (i.e. fine tilth and sealed soil surface). Final infiltration rates on a sealed soil surface (7.5–18.5 mm h⁻¹) are observed after ca. 10 min of rainfall compared to ca. 50 min of rainfall on an initial seedbed (16.4–56.7 mm h⁻¹). On the two tested slope gradients, significantly (α = 0.05) smaller runoff coefficients (RC) are observed on an initial seedbed (8.2% < RC < 59.8%) compared to a sealed soil surface (75.7% < RC < 87.0%). On an initial seedbed, decreasing RC are observed with an increasing simulated geotextile cover. However, on an initial sealed soil surface no significant effect of simulated geotextile cover on RC is observed. On a 15% slope gradient, calculated b-values from the mulch factor equation equalled 0.054 for an initial fine tilth and 0.022 for a sealed soil surface, indicating a higher effectiveness of geotextiles in reducing interrill erosion on a fine tilth compared to a sealed soil surface. Therefore, this study demonstrates the importance of applying geotextiles on the soil surface before the surface tilth is sealed due to rainfall. The effect of soil structure on the effectiveness of a surface cover in reducing runoff and interrill erosion rates, as indicated by the results of this study, needs to be incorporated in soil erosion prediction models.     

Evaluation of ultrasonic aggregate stability and rainfall erosion resistance of disturbed and amended soils in the Lake Tahoe Basin, USA

Application of organic soil amendments to disturbed soil has been shown to improve aggregate stability and reduce soil susceptibility to erosion. Employing ultrasonic aggregate stability assessment techniques described earlier [Fristensky, A. and Grismer, M.E., 2008. A simultaneous model for ultrasonic aggregate stability assessment. Catena, 74: 153–164.], we assess the effect of two experimental organic soil amendments – a compost and a woodchip mulch incorporated at a rate of 2000–6000 kg ha^− 1 N-equivalence – on soil aggregation and aggregate stability at four drastically disturbed sites within the Lake Tahoe Basin, USA. Experimental plots were established 1–3 years prior to testing. The soils were of granitic or volcanic origin, and disturbed by either ski run or road development. Soil treatments were observed to significantly (p < 0.05) increase both aggregation (300% average increase) and ultrasonic aggregate stability (600% average increase) relative to the untreated soil. However, at the two sites disturbed by ski run development, the control treatment (tilling and surface application of pine–needle mulch) performed comparably to the two incorporated compost treatments, suggesting that the effects of the experimental amendments on aggregation were negligible at these sites, or their effective duration was shorter than the evaluation period.Rainfall simulations (72–120 mm h^− 1) were performed on the treatment plots, and results were compared with the ultrasonic aggregate stability indices. Significant (p < 0.05) positive correlations were obtained between the measurements of aggregate instability and indices of soil susceptibility to runoff, including steady-state infiltration rate (measured values between 1 and 120 mm h^− 1), and the level of kinetic energy of applied rainfall at which runoff commences (EBR, measured values between 12 and 224 J m^− 2). However, no correlation was found between the ultrasonic aggregate stability indices and observed soil erosion variables. Interestingly, positive relationships (p < 0.05) were observed between both infiltration rate and EBR and the proportion of 2–20 μm and < 2 μm particles liberated from the largest aggregates detected in each soil. Our results suggest that ultrasonic aggregate stability indices may be useful indicators of soil susceptibility to runoff and erosion under rainfall.     

An improved rainfall erosivity index obtained from experimental interrill soil losses in soils with a Mediterranean climate

The most common index to predict rainfall erosivity is based on the kinetic energy (KE) and the maximum intensity in a 30-min period. However, rainfalls recorded in the Mediterranean climate are, in most cases, the short duration (<30 min) and the high intensity. The goal of this work was to improve rainfall erosivity indices for the Mediterranean conditions from experimental interrill soil losses measured in natural conditions in 1-m² plots. The plots were located in three vineyard fields, whose soils are classified as Typic Calcixerept, Typic Xerofluvent and Typic Xerorthent, and ploughed at the same time as the vineyards. Soil losses and runoff were collected after each rainfall event during 1 year and rainfall data were obtained from bucket gauges installed at the same places. Mean intensity of the storms was less than 10 mm h⁻¹, but maximum intensities in short periods were as high as 103 mm h⁻¹. Kinetic energy was calculated using different expressions proposed in the literature and improved with our data obtained with a disdrometer type Joss Waldvogel. Soil losses were related to kinetic energy and to different combinations of kinetic energy and maximum intensity for different time intervals. The best correlation was that obtained between soil losses and the product of kinetic energy by Sempere Torres and the maximum intensity in 5-min intervals (I₅), which explained more than 80% of the variability. When a surface crust was formed quickly there was no significant relation between soil loss and rainfall parameters.     

Comparing surface erosion processes in four soils from the Loess Plateau under extreme rainfall events

This research aims to improve erosion control practice in the Loess Plateau, by studying the surface erosion processes, including splash, sheet/interrill and rill erosion in four contrasting soils under high rainfall intensity (120 mm h⁻¹) with three-scale indoor artificial experiments. Four contrasting soils as sandy loam, sandy clay loam, clay loam and loamy clay were collected from different parts of the Loess Plateau. The results showed that sediment load was significantly impacted by soil properties in all three sub-processes. Splash rate (4.0–21.6 g m⁻²∙min⁻¹) was highest in sandy loam from the north part of the Loess Plateau and showed a negative power relation with the mean weight diameter of aggregates after 20 min of rainfall duration. The average sediment load by sheet/interrill erosion (6.94–42.86 g m⁻²∙min⁻¹) was highest in clay loam from middle part of the Loess Plateau, and the stable sediment load after 20 min showed a positive power relation with the silt content in soil. The average sediment load increased dramatically by rill and interrill erosion (21.03–432.16 g m⁻²∙min⁻¹), which was highest in loamy clay from south part of the Loess Plateau. The average sediment load after the occurrence of rill showed a positive power relation with clay content and a negative power relation with soil organic matter content. The impacts of slope gradient on the runoff rate and sediment load also changed with soil properties. The critical factors varied for different processes, which were the aggregate size for splash erosion, the content of silt particles and slope gradient for sheet/interrill erosion, and the content of clay particles, soil organic matter and slope gradient for rill erosion. Based on the results of the experiments, specific erosion control practices were proposed by targeting certain erosion processes in areas with different soil texture and different distribution of slope gradient. The findings from this study should support the improvement of erosion prediction and cropland management in different regions of the Loess Plateau.     

Relationship of percolation stability of soil aggregates to land use, selected properties, structural indices and simulated rainfall erosion

Simple tests of structural stability are needed for evaluating the ease with which soils slake and erode when in contact with water. In a laboratory study, we related the percolation stability (PS) of 22 Nigerian soils to land use, soil properties, structural stability indices and simulated rainfall erosion. All measurements were carried out with the 1–2 mm diameter air-dry aggregates. Land use influenced PS more than the type of soil. Forest soils, bush fallows, mulched, minimally tilled plots and pasture lands had rapid PS (>250 ml/10 min) values, whereas mulched conventionally tilled plots, bare fallows and continuously cultivated plots from where residues were removed by burning had relatively slow to moderate PS values (34–241 ml/10 min). The single most important soil property that correlated positively with PS is organic matter (OM) (r = 0.55^*) followed by total Fe + Al (r = 0.52^*). The significant inverse relationship (r = −0.49^*) between log (PS) and log (pH/OM) indicates a decrease in PS of these acidic, low-OM soils with increasing pH levels. The percent water-stable aggregate (WSA) >0.20 mm diameter, aggregated clay index (AC) and clay dispersion ratio (CDR) correlated weakly with PS. Conversely, the sealing index (SI) (i.e. the ratio of saturated hydraulic conductivity of an uncrusted to that of a crusted soil) had a strong, inverse relationship with PS (r = −0.97^***). These relationships indicate that PS measures the slakability (and not dispersibility) of soils. The relationship between PS and erosion (E) was an exponential decay form, E = 102 e^−0.0043PS (r² = 0.98) and showed that high interrill erosion rates would be expected on soils with PS < 250 ml/10 min. The PS which is simple to measure, is, therefore, a good indicator of structural stability for assessing the potential of these soils to erode.     

Specific ion effects on soil aggregate stability and rainfall splash erosion

Soil interparticle forces can pose important effects on soil aggregate stability and rainfall splash erosion. Meanwhile, these interparticle forces are strongly influenced by specific ion effects. In this study, we applied three monovalent cations (Li⁺, Na⁺, and K⁺) with various concentrations to investigate the influence of specific ion effects on aggregate stability and splash erosion via pipette and rainfall simulation methods. The specific ion effects on soil interparticle forces were quantitatively evaluated by introducing cationic non-classical polarization. The results showed that aggregate stability and splash erosion had strong ion specificity. Aggregate breaking strength and splash erosion rate at the same salt concentration followed the sequence as Li⁺ > Na⁺ > K⁺. With decreasing salt concentration, the difference in aggregate breaking strength or splash erosion rate between different cation systems increased initially (1–10^–2 mol L^–1) and later was nearly invariable (10^–2–10^–4 mol L^–1). The experimental results were well quantitatively explained by soil interparticle forces considering cationic non-classical polarization. Furthermore, both aggregate breaking strength and splash erosion rate of three cations revealed a strong positive linear relation with net force subjected to cationic non-classical polarization (R² = 0.81, R² = 0.81). These results demonstrated that different non-classical polarization of cations resulted in different soil interparticle forces, and thus led to differences in aggregate stability and splash erosion. Our study provides valuable information to deeply understand the mechanisms of rainfall splash erosion.     

Relationships between rainfall characteristics and ephemeral gully erosion in a cultivated catchment in Sicily (Italy)

Recent research has shown a lack of long-term monitoring for detailed analysis of gully erosion response to climate characteristics. Measures carried out from 1995 to 2007 in a wheat-cultivated area in Raddusa (Sicily, Italy), represent one of the longest series of field data on ephemeral gully, EG, erosion. The data set collected in a surface area of almost 80 ha, permits analysis of the influence of rainfall on EG formation and development. Ephemeral gullies formed in the study area were measured on a yearly scale with a Post-Processing Differential GPS for length and with a steel tape for the width and depth of transversal sections. Ephemeral gully formation was observed for 8 years out of 12, which corresponds to a return period of 1.5 years. The measurements show strong temporal variability in EG erosion, in agreement with the rainfall characteristics. The total eroded volumes ranged between 0 and ca. 800 m³ year⁻¹, with a mean of ca. 420 m³ year⁻¹, corresponding to ca. 0.6 kg m⁻² year⁻¹. Ephemeral gully erosion in the study area is directly and mainly controlled by rainfall events. An antecedent rainfall index, the maximum value of 3-days rainfall (H_max3_d), is the rain parameter which best accounts for EG erosion. This index is used here as a simple surrogate for soil water content. An H_max3_d threshold of 51 mm was observed for EG formation. The return period of the H_max3_d threshold is almost the same as the return period for EG formation. Although a mean of seven erosive rain events were recorded in a year, EG formation and development generally occur during a single erosive event, similarly to other semiarid environments. The most critical period is that comprised between October and January, when the soil is wetter and the vegetation cover is scarce. Empirical models for EG eroded volume estimation were obtained using the data set collected at this site. A simple power-type equation is proposed to estimate the eroded volumes using H_max3_d as an independent variable. This equation shows an R² equal to 0.67 and a standard error of estimation of 0.79.     

黄土丘陵区不同坡度撂荒草地入渗特征影响因素试验研究

降雨特征和坡度是影响土壤入渗过程的重要因素,在植被恢复过程中,其对土壤入渗特征的影响可能会有所不同。选取黄土丘陵区6个坡度(5°,10°,15°,20°,25°和30°)的撂荒草地(2年)径流小区(5 m×20 m),观测自然降雨条件下(共计34场降雨,产流11场)植被生长旺期(7—9月)土壤入渗特征,研究降雨过程参数(降雨量、平均雨强、降雨历时和I_(30))、坡度和植被盖度对坡面入渗特征的影响。结果表明:(1)11场产流降雨不同坡度土壤入渗量总体变化范围为6.58～70.91 mm,入渗补给系数为0.83～1.00,入渗率为0.22～19.35 mm/h;(2)土壤入渗量随降雨量呈线性增加(R~2=0.99,p0.01),入渗补给系数随I_(30)呈指数降低(R~2=0.91,p0.01),平均入渗率随降雨强度呈线性增加(R~2=0.71,p0.01),随降雨历时呈幂函数降低(R~2=0.99,p0.05);(3)坡度增大使得径流位移增长,导致入渗量、入渗补给系数和平均入渗率整体随坡度增大而呈幂函数增加,但当坡度25°时,因径流势能沿坡面方向分量增加,径流流速加快,上述入渗特征参数略有降低;(4)由于降雨量在植被生长周期内呈下降趋势,很大程度上导致植被对入渗特征的影响受控于降雨量,土壤入渗量表现出随着植被盖度的增加呈幂函数显著下降的趋势。总体而言,降雨特征和坡度是影响土壤入渗的主要因素,且土壤入渗特征参数可表示为降雨过程参数和坡度的综合幂函数方程;在入渗补给系数较高的情况下,植被覆盖对土壤入渗特征的影响减弱。研究结果对于坡面尺度降雨径流调控机制和生态水文过程研究具有重要意义。     

Effects of rainfall intensity and slope gradient on the dynamics of interrill erosion during soil surface sealing

Soil erosion during rainfall is strongly affected by runoff and slope steepness. Runoff production is drastically increased when a seal is formed at the soil surface during rainfall. Therefore, a complex interaction exists between soil erosion and surface sealing. In this study, the dynamics of interrill erosion during seal formation is studied under different simulated rainfall and slope conditions. A sandy soil was exposed to 70 mm of rainfall at two intensities, 24 mm h^− 1 and 60 mm h^− 1, and five slope gradients, from 5% to 25%. Infiltration, runoff and soil loss rates were monitored during rainfall. Final infiltration rates increased with slope gradient at both rainfall intensities, this effect being stronger for the higher intensity. Cumulative runoff at the end of the rainfall event was lower as slopes were steeper, while an opposite trend was obtained for soil loss. For the 5% and the 9% slopes, the sediment concentration in runoff reached quickly a stable value during the whole rainfall event, while it reached a peak value before declining for the higher slopes. The peak value and its timing were rainfall intensity dependent. Soil erodibility during seal formation was evaluated using two empirical multiplication-of-factors type models. It seems that slope and rainfall erosivity are accounted for only partly in these models. For mild slope gradients below 9%, the value of K_i estimated by means of the two expressions becomes practically constant shortly after runoff apparition. Consequently, the estimates resulting from this type of expressions remain valuable from the practical point of view.     

A method for estimating coefficients of soil organic matter dynamics based on long-term experiments

The one-compartment C model C_t=C₀e^−k₂t+k₁A/k₂(1−e^−k₂t) is being long used to simulate soil organic C (SOC) stocks. C_t is the SOC stock at the time t; C₀, the initial SOC stock; k₂, the annual rate of SOC loss (mainly mineralization and erosion); k₁, the annual rate to which the added C is incorporated into SOC; and A, the annual C addition. The component C₀e^−k₂t expresses the decay of C₀ and, for a time t, corresponds to the remains of C₀ (C_0 remains). The component k₁A/k₂(1−e^−k₂t) refers, at time t, to the stock of SOC derived from C crops (C_crop). We herein propose a simple method to estimate k₁ and k₂ coefficients for tillage systems conducted in long-term experiments under several cropping systems with a wide range of annual C additions (A) and SOC stocks. We estimated k₁ and k₂ for conventional tillage (CT) and no-till (NT), which has been conducted under three cropping systems (oat/maize −O/M, vetch/maize −V/M and oat + vetch/maize + cowpea −OV/MC) and two N-urea rates (0 kg N ha⁻¹ −0 N and 180 kg N ha⁻¹ −180 N) in a long-term experiment established in a subtropical Acrisol with C₀ = 32.55 Mg C ha⁻¹ in the 0–17.5 cm layer. A linear equation (C_t = a + bA) between the SOC stocks measured at the 13th year (0–17.5 cm) and the mean annual C additions was fitted for CT and NT. This equation is equivalent to the equation of the model C_t=C₀e^−k₂t+k₁A/k₂(1−e^−k₂t), so that a=C₀e^−k₂t and bA=k₁A/k₂(1−e^−k₂t). Such equivalences thus allow the calculation of k₁ and k₂. NT soil had a lower rate of C loss (k₂ = 0.019 year⁻¹) than CT soil (k₂ = 0.040 year⁻¹), while k₁ was not affected by tillage (0.148 year⁻¹ under CT and 0.146 year⁻¹ under NT). Despite that only three treatments had lack of fit (LOFIT) value lower than the critical 5% F value, all treatments showed root mean square error (RMSE) lower than RMSE 95% indicating that simulated values fall within 95% confidence interval of the measurements. The estimated SOC stocks at steady state (C_e) in the 0–17.5 cm layer ranged from 15.65 Mg ha⁻¹ in CT O/M 0 N to 60.17 Mg ha⁻¹ in NT OV/MC 180 N. The SOC half-life (t_1/2 = ln 2/k₂) was 36 years in NT and 17 years in CT, reflecting the slower C turnover in NT. The effects of NT on the SOC stocks relates to the maintenance of the initial C stocks (higher C_0 remais), while increments in C_crop are imparted mainly by crop additions.     

伊朗西北部半干旱农田径流模型的建立

Transformation of rainfall into runoff over an area is a very complex process which exhibits both temporal and spatial variability;runoff in a defined area can be affected by factors such as topography, vegetation, rainfall characteristics and soil properties. This study was conducted to develop an empirical model using the rainfall characteristics and soil properties for predicting runoff from dry-farming lands in a semi-arid agricultural area in Hashtroud, Northwest Iran. Runoff plots(1.83 m × 22.1 m) in triplicate were installed in thirty-six sloped dry-farming lands in the study area. Runoff under natural rainfalls was measured in each plot during a2-year period. The results showed that runoff for 41 runoff-producing rainstorm events with duration longer than 30 min was largely associated with a rainfall index obtained by multiplying the positive square root of rainfall depth(h0.5) by the logarithm of the maximum 30-minute intensity(LogI30)(R2= 0.81). Runoff significantly varied among the plots(P 0.001), which was considerably related to the effective soil properties(R2= 0.74), i.e., soil permeability(Per) and aggregate stability(AS). A multiple linear regression model was developed between runoff and the rainfall index(h0.5logI30) and the effective soil properties(AS and Per). Evaluation of the model using 34 runoff-producing rainstorm events that occurred during the next two years resulted in high values of the efficiency coefficient and R2(0.88 and 0.91, respectively), which revealed that the model developed in this study could be used in predicting runoff from the dry-farming lands in the semi-arid regions.     

Effect of compost on erodibility of loamy sand under simulated rainfall

Three types of composts [vegetable, fruit and yard waste compost (VFYW), garden waste compost (GW), and spent mushroom compost (SM)] were applied at a rate of 30 m³ ha⁻¹ for 10 years to loamy sand, to determine its effect on the aggregate stability and susceptibility to water erosion. Aggregate stability was measured using the stability index derived from the wet sieving method while a laboratory rainfall simulator was used to measure runoff, sheet and splash erosion. Only GW recorded a significant increase (45%) in aggregate stability. Runoff, sheet erosion, and splash erosion did not show significant improvement for any of the compost types. SM application resulted in a significant increase (51%) in the shear strength of the soil after rainfall. Long term compost application does not appreciably improve the resistance of loamy sand to water erosion.     

红壤区裸露坡地不同类型次降雨的产流产沙规律

为探究红壤区裸露坡地在不同类型次降雨下的产流产沙规律,研究收集长汀县水土保持科教园红壤裸露坡地径流小区2013年1月至2020年12月共388场降雨—径流—土壤侵蚀观测资料,采用K-means将降雨划分为4类进行分析。结果表明:(1)主要降雨类型有A(短历时、大雨强、小雨量、低频次)、B(长历时、小雨强、大雨量、中频次)、C(中等历时、小雨强、小雨量、高频次)3类,B、C为研究区主要产流产沙来源,贡献85%以上的径流和土壤侵蚀量。(2)次降雨径流深及土壤侵蚀量与降雨量(P)、最大30 min雨强(I₃₀)和降雨动能(E)呈线性正相关,与降雨侵蚀力(EI₃₀)呈幂函数关系。但降雨特征对产流产沙的总解释度小于65%,且随着降雨历时的增加而减小。(3)降雨特征与产流产沙存在3种约束关系,其约束线表明降雨特征对次降雨潜在最大产流产沙的影响。其中,潜在最大径流深主要由P和E决定,潜在最大土壤侵蚀量的上限为800~900 t/hm²。从降雨特征单因子影响、综合影响和约束效应3个方面分析了红壤裸露坡地的产流产沙特征,为红壤区水土流失防治提供了数据基础。     

Interactions between soil properties and moisture content in crust formation, runoff and interrill erosion from tilled loess soils

Soil-surface seals and crusts resulting from aggregate breakdown reduce the soil infiltration rate and may induce erosion by increasing runoff. The cultivated loess areas of northwestern Europe are particularly prone to these processes.Surface samples of ten tilled silty loamy loess soils, ranging in clay content from 120 to 350 g kg⁻¹ and in organic carbon from 10 to 20 g kg⁻¹, were packed into 0.5 m² plots with 5% slopes and subjected to simulated rainfall applied at 30 mm h⁻¹. The 120 minutes rainfall events were applied to initially field-moist soil, air-dried soil and rewetted soil to investigate the effect of soil moisture content prior to rainfall. Runoff and eroded sediments were collected at 5 minutes intervals. Aggregate stability of the soils was assessed by measuring particle-size distribution after different treatments.All soils formed seals. Runoff rates were between 70 and 90% by the end of the rainfall event for field-moist plots. There were large differences between soil runoff rates for the air-dried and rewetted plots. Interrill erosion was associated with runoff, and sediment concentration in runoff readily reached a steady-state value. Measurements of aggregate stability for various treatments were in good agreement with sealing, runoff and erosion responses to rainfall. Runoff and erosion were lower for air-dried plots than for field-moist plots, and were either intermediate or lowest for rewetted plots, depending on soil characteristics. Soils with a high clay content had the lowest erosion rate when they were rewetted, whereas the soil with a high organic-carbon content had the lowest erosion rate in air-dry conditions. The results indicate the complexity of the effect of initial moisture content, and the interactions between soil properties and climate.     

基于降雨量和降雨时间的月降雨侵蚀力简易算法——以陕北黄土丘陵沟壑区为例

 降雨侵蚀力简易算法是较大尺度应用USLE/RUSLE进行土壤侵蚀评价研究的必要内容。基于降雨量和降雨时间建立月降雨侵蚀力计算模型,并以陕北黄土丘陵沟壑区为例,进行模型的拟合。结果表明:随着自变量中降雨量和降雨时间表示方式的改变,模型的拟合优度表现出明显的差异;对于不同因变量而言,以ΣEI30(或lg(ΣEI30))和以ΣEI10(或lg(ΣEI10))为因变量的模型拟合优度在整体上比较接近甚至相同,而以ΣE60I10(或lg(ΣE60I10))为因变量的模型拟合优度在整体上略低;就尺度效应而言,在时间尺度上,整个汛期的模型拟合优度低于1个月份或多个月份模型的拟合优度,在空间尺度上,区域模型中的拟合优度低于至少1个流域的模型拟合优度;在实际应用中,可以选择以ΣEI30为因变量的月降雨侵蚀力公式对该区域进行土壤侵蚀评价。     

利用纳米磁性材料表征地表溅蚀特征的初探

磁性示踪研究坡面土壤侵蚀已取得一定成果,但目前的磁性示踪方法不能满足次降雨后的溅蚀特征研究。因此,在无磁性的石英砂上施用不同浓度(1.5%、2.5%、3.5%)和不同粒径(20 nm、200 nm)的纳米磁性材料,而后进行人工模拟溅蚀试验,利用磁化率仪和3D手持微地形扫描仪研究地表磁性变化与溅蚀后地表特征变化之间的关系,研究利用纳米磁性材料表征溅蚀特征的可行性。结果表明:20 nm磁性材料提高石英砂磁性背景值的幅度远高于200 nm磁性材料且不同浓度的磁性差异极显著,两种纳米磁性材料均呈现出布设浓度越大,示踪时间越长的特点;溅蚀后表层磁化率随溅蚀时间的延长而逐渐衰减,二者呈现出相关性较高的χ_1=aln(t)+b对数函数关系;20 nm磁性材料在3.5%浓度下可有效定量表征出石英砂溅蚀量的变化(p0.01),二者之间的相关关系可用χ_2=a Mb幂函数表示;20 nm磁性材料在溅蚀3 min内的磁化率变化与微地形高差变化呈极显著相关关系(p0.01),说明20 nm磁性材料可以在短时间内有效表征出溅蚀地表的侵蚀程度,可表征出的侵蚀厚度在-5~10 mm内。该研究证明20 nm磁性材料表征溅蚀地表特征的方法在一定程度上是可行的,可为磁性示踪法的深入研究提供新的思路和方法。     

西部黄土丘陵区不同草地土壤侵蚀对侵蚀性降雨的响应

[目的]研究西部黄土丘陵区人工和天然草地对不同类型侵蚀性降雨的响应,为该区植被建设和水土流失防治提供指导。[方法]利用甘肃省定西市安家沟径流场2007—2015年的观测数据,分析侵蚀性降雨因素对坡度为20°的人工草地和天然草地土壤侵蚀的影响。[结果]西部黄土丘陵区的侵蚀性降雨分布在5—9月,其中7—8月的侵蚀性雨量较大,其侵蚀量占年均侵蚀的70%以上。两种不同类型的草地侵蚀量均与PI10相关性最好。该区域侵蚀性降雨主要是中雨和大雨,造成的草地侵蚀量占年均侵蚀的86%。中、高雨强型降雨的侵蚀量分别占人工、天然草地总量的90.8%和91.2%,其侵蚀量与PI10,PI30呈较好的幂函数关系。大于300 MJ·mm/(hm2·h)的高侵蚀力型降雨引起的侵蚀量最大,分别占人工、天然草地总侵蚀量的32.3%和33.4%;50~100MJ·mm/(hm2·h)的中侵蚀力型降雨次数最多,而引起人工、天然草地的侵蚀占相应总量的26.0%和29.1%。[结论]人工草地(盖度75%~82%)和天然草地(盖度80%)的侵蚀性降雨量标准分别为11.3和11.9mm,最大I10标准分别为10.4和11.7mm/h。天然草地比人工草地具有更好的水土保持效果。