Assessing the degradation of saline wetlands in an arid agricultural region in Spain

A constellation of saline wetlands in the Spanish Monegros Desert is currently subjected to increasing agricultural pressure. Until now, no systematic study of their degradation status has been performed, and no comprehensive map of these wetlands has been available. Both subjects are addressed for the first time in this study. In addition, we set up a conceptual tool for assessing saline wetlands degradation that improves upon available methods within geomorphological, sedimentological or hydrological frameworks. A wetlands inventory was produced and updated using satellite data, field observations, and orthophotographs, together with the available disperse data about these wetlands' toponymy and location. The degraded landscape appearance of the surviving wetlands, mainly affected by agricultural intensification ― dumping and farming ― has been qualitatively assessed.     

Caesium-137 dating applied to slackwater flood deposits of the Llobregat River, NE Spain

During a palaeoflood study of the Llobregat River (NE Spain), analysis of ¹³⁷Cs was carried out on slackwater flood deposits to obtain an improved flood chronology for the most recent flood sediments. At the Monistrol study reach, ¹³⁷Cs was measured in flood deposits preserved in valley side rock alcoves, with a range of ¹³⁷Cs concentrations of 2.80–10.06 mBq/g measured. The ¹³⁷Cs was associated with sediment mobilised from the upstream catchment by erosion and transported to the alcoves during floods. The onset of measured caesium activity in the sedimentary profiles permitted the deposits to be divided between those from floods that occurred before the mid-1950s and those from events after this period. Combining the information derived from the slackwater flood stratigraphy, the minimum discharge estimates associated with the flood deposits, ¹³⁷Cs analysis and the instrumental peak discharge series, it was possible to identify the particular flood events responsible for the majority of the slackwater flood units. At Vilomara, however, ¹³⁷Cs activity was measured in palaeoflood deposits dated to the Late Bronze Age and located at an elevation not reached by the floodwaters of the largest modern events. The data from this site indicated that the ¹³⁷Cs was not associated with sediments transported by floods but was rainfall-derived, the rainwater reaching the deposits through fissures in the rock. To ensure the successful application of caesium dating to slackwater flood deposits preserved within rock alcoves, or caves, some general guidelines are proposed. The technique is best applied: (1) when there is a sedimentary profile of greater than 1 m depth; (2) when the profile is sampled away from zones affected by direct percolation or springwater entering the alcove; and (3) where there are various levels of contrasting textures within the profile.     

Facies identification within the playa-lakes of the Monegros desert,Spain, from field and satellite data

The Monegros desert and its saline wetlands, called saladas (literally translated as “the salties”), are a unique European landscape of great scientific and ecological value. The saladas (i.e., playa-lakes and other small saline depressions) are dynamic environments; changing their surface morphology on a seasonal–diurnal basis in response to both climate and groundwater fluxes. To depict changes in these natural systems, we have identified five surface facies classes which are detectable both in the field and from remote sensing data. These facies are crucial for describing and promoting the protection of these habitats. Remote sensing has provided worthwhile historical data and additional information that compensate for scarce field records. Combined field and satellite criteria are used to catalog these facies with a new conceptual integration that manages the asynchronism between the field and satellite data. The catalog of facies is intended to be helpful for monitoring these wetlands, and for understanding the current hydrological patterns and trends in the playa-lakes. This work will serve as a baseline for studying the future evolution of the saladas which may soon fall under manmade environmental forces such as increased water input from adjacent newly irrigated lands. It is hoped that identification of these facies will be useful, with minor adaptations, in using more advanced sensors or in studying similar habitats.     

The use of micromorphology in soil pollen analysis: The interpretation of the pollen content of slope deposits in Galicia, Spain

Humic horizons of soil profiles often contain pollen and spores. Comparison of the sequence of pollen associations of soil profiles with pollen zones of reference diagrams offers palyno-ecological information, relevant for reconstruction of landscape ecological development. In palynological studies of semiterrestrial and aquatic deposits, pollen is considered to be part of the sediment and anaerobic conditions in water-saturated deposits promote its conservation. This is not true for pollen in soils. Aerobic conditions in drained soils result in bio-oxidation of unprotected pollen grains. Interpretation of soil pollen associations requires knowledge of the processes of infiltration and conservation of pollen grains in the soil material. Micromorphology is an important technique to investigate these processes. This is demonstrated in a case study of polycyclic slope deposits in Galicia (Spain). The buried cambisols, in pleistocene solifluction deposits, contain post-sedimentary infiltrated pollen. The pollen associations reflect successive phases in soil ecological development. The holocene colluvial deposits contain syn-sedimentary incorporated pollen. The pollen associations reflect environmental conditions during the deposition of colluvial layers.     

金沙江上游雪隆囊古滑坡堰塞湖溃坝堆积物粒度特征

金沙江上游地质灾害频发,地质环境演化相对复杂.为研究堰塞湖溃坝后堆积物的来源与坝体物质、沉积环境的关系,以金沙江上游雪隆囊古滑坡堰塞湖溃坝堆积物为主要研究对象,通过野外实地调查取样和室内粒度筛分试验,对雪隆囊滑坡堰塞湖溃坝堆积物的粒度进行测试,并分别对滑坡堰塞湖溃坝堆积物的上、中、下游3段的粒度特征进行研究.结果表明:从溃坝堆积体的上游到下游,粒度分布曲线分别为单峰、多峰、双峰;上游粒度组成主要以砾石为主,中游和下游主要以细砂和极细砂为主,粒度从上游到下游依次有明显的细化趋势,平均粒度由粗变细,分选性整体上较差和差.以上这些特点综合反映出溃坝堆积体的上游段到下游段的水动力条件在逐渐减弱,其中堆积体上游段砾石部分来自坝体物质,而中、下游段细粒部分既可能来自坝体,又可能来自堰塞湖溃坝前的上游湖相沉积层.     

Use of landslide-dammed lake deposits and pollen tracing techniques to investigate the erosional response of a small drainage basin in the Loess Plateau, China, to land use change during the late 16th century

A major landslide that occurred in 1569 in the Huangtuwa gully catchment within the Rolling Loess Plateau region of China, resulted in the creation of a landslide-dammed lake at the outlet of the small 0.1 km² tributary valley of the Houxiaotan Gully. All the sediment transported to the outlet of this catchment was deposited in the lake. After about 30 years the dam failed and the lake deposits were dissected as the stream cut down to its former base level. Substantial remnants of the sediment deposits that accumulated over the ca. 30 year period are, however, preserved as terraces near the outlet of the catchment and a vertical section through these sediment deposits was investigated using stratigraphic and pollen tracing techniques. Individual flood couplets could be clearly distinguished and these permitted the establishment of a chronology for the sediment deposits and the estimation of the sediment yields associated with individual events and individual years. Pollen analysis undertaken on samples collected from the individual flood couplets also provided information on the variation of the pollen content of the sediment and the proportion of Artemisia pollen during the period represented by the deposits. Interpretation of the information assembled from the sediment section has made it possible to reconstruct the erosional history of the Houxiaotan catchment during the 31 year period following the landslide. The average sediment yield of the catchment in the late 16th century was very similar to its present-day sediment yield. The sediment yield from the catchment and the relative contribution of the inter-gully areas, as compared to the gully system, declined immediately after the landslide as a result of abandonment of the cultivated land within the catchment. The restoration of cultivation in the catchment after about 17 years resulted in an increase in sediment yield from ca. 9000 t km^− 2 yr^− 1 to ca. 30,000 t km^− 2 yr^− 1 and a substantial increase in the proportion of sediment contributed by the cultivated inter-gully areas. Scope exists to apply a similar approach to the sediment deposits that accumulated in other former landslide-dammed lakes within the Rolling Loess Plateau region of China, in order to develop an improved understanding of the erosion history of the region.     

湖区小麦-玉米轮作模式下不同施肥措施调控氮磷养分流失研究

针对我国南水北调东线过水区南四湖富营养化问题,利用沿湖流域典型种植模式——小麦-玉米轮作体系,选择材料易获取的几种施肥措施,采用田间原位安装淋溶水采集器和地表水径流池收集水样,室内分析不同处理防控氮磷养分流失的效果。结果表明:各施肥措施在作物不同茬口均能降低氮磷养分的随水流失,不同模式防控养分流失效果有差异;氮径流损失中,硝态氮占主要比例,玉米季和小麦季分别为82.7%~86.4%和94.2%~96.5%,而淋溶途径中硝态氮比例略有下降;径流为氮损失的主要途径,玉米茬口氮损失比例占轮作周年的67.0%~71.4%;磷径流损失中可溶性磷和颗粒磷比例相当,而淋溶磷以可溶性磷为主;淋溶途径损失的磷养分比例稍高,仍以玉米茬口总磷损失为主,占54.4%~63.1%;防控氮磷流失结合周年作物产量,玉米上使用减量控释氮肥或优化施肥配合秸秆还田、小麦上优化施肥或使用减量控释氮肥是相对理想的养分运筹搭配模式。     

Geomorphic features and soil formation of arid lands in Northeastern Jordan

Arid and semiarid lands occupy about one-third of the Earth's land surface. Interpretation of soil formation and geomorphic features of arid lands is needed to assess their soil ecological potentials, limitations, problems and management needs. The objective of this paper was to study the geomorphic features and soil formation of the arid lands in northeastern Jordan, to provide information that could be used by land managers in the study area and other arid land areas. Five representative soil pedons were excavated and described in the field. Soil samples from each horizon per pedon were taken to the laboratory for chemical and physical analyses. Geomorphic features of the area were also studied. Most of studied land surfaces are plains where eolian deflation has exposed loose gravels consisting predominantly of pebbles forming desert pavements. Desert pavements cover most of the land surface, excluding the mud playas, and are composed of basalt clasts. The accumulation of calcium carbonate and gypsum within these soils create problems for their agricultural development. Accumulation of eolian fine-grained silt has resulted in the formation of a vesicular horizon. The climatic variations during the late quaternary and the late Holocene periods contributed to the development of the desert pavement and the vesicular horizons. Clay illuviation and argillic horizon development within these soils is assumed to be a relict feature from more humid climates during the Quaternary. Sustainable agricultural development of such arid lands may not be easy. In general, these soils have high erodibility, high runoff generation potential, high susceptibility to seal and crust formation, poor water-holding capacity, pedon hardening and structural instability.     

黄土区工程堆积体陡坡坡面径流调控工程措施的减沙效应

定量分析减少径流和改变水沙关系在泥沙调控中的不同作用,对于深刻理解径流调控措施的水土保持效益具有重要意义。以黄土区工程堆积体陡坡坡面(36°)为例,探讨了野外模拟径流冲刷试验条件下,不同工程措施及其组合调控坡面径流的水沙效应及其作用效率。结果表明:1)不同工程措施均能较好地调控坡面径流侵蚀过程,不同情形下的产流时间控制比为2～20,径流量控制比为0.45～0.78,产沙量控制比为0.20～0.59;平均含沙量控制比为0.38～0.79;2)减流控沙作用是工程措施调控坡面侵蚀产沙的主要原因,水沙关系调沙作用则受减流控沙作用的制约;3)水平阶类措施的水沙关系调沙量与减流控沙量呈线性正相关,当减流控沙量超过一定临界值时,水沙关系才开始发挥调沙作用;水平沟类措施的水沙关系调沙量与减流控沙量呈二次函数关系,水沙关系调沙量存在极大值;4)水平沟类措施调控泥沙的作用效率高于水平阶类措施,水平沟+鱼鳞坑的组合可很好地发挥减流控沙和水沙关系调沙作用的潜力(55%),使二者在较高的水平上维持相对平衡;因此,不同工程措施与组合的实际应用应以具体的水土保持效益和防治目标为布设依据。研究可为堆积体陡坡治理的工程措施优化提供理论参考。     

Soil morphological control on saline and freshwater lake hydrogeochemistry in the Pantanal of Nhecolândia, Brazil

Joint pedological, geochemical, hydrological and geophysical investigations were performed to study the coexistence of saline and freshwater lakes in close proximity and similar climatic conditions in the Nhecolândia region, Pantanal wetlands in Brazil. The saline lakes are concentrically surrounded by green sandy loam horizons, which cause differential hydrological regimes.Mg-calcite, K-silicates, and amorphous silica precipitate in the soil cover, whereas Mg-silicates and more soluble Na-carbonates are concentrated in the topsoil along the shore of the saline lake. In saline solutions, some minor elements (As, Se) reach values above the water quality recommendations, whereas others are controlled and incorporated in solid phases (Ba, Sr). Locally, the destruction of the sandy loam horizons generates very acidic soil solution (pH ~ 3.5) through a process not yet understood. The soil distributions indicate that some freshwater lakes are former saline lakes. They are invaded by freshwater after destruction of the sandy loam green horizons, then the freshwater becomes enriched in K⁺, SO₄²⁻, Fe, Al, and a stream of minor and trace elements. The formation of these green sandy loam horizons in the saline environment and their destruction in the non-saline one emphasizes the dynamic nature of this environment.     

Thermoluminescence dates and palaeoenvironmental information of the late Quaternary sand deposits, Tierra de Pinares, Central Spain

A large amount of Quaternary palaeo-environmental evidence lies within the terrestrial aeolian sediments filling the Duero basin in central Spain. Previous work has identified a number of stratigraphical units although the absolute age and origin of some of these is equivocal. The uppermost unit, the focus of this paper, is a widely distributed sand which covers most of the Tierra de Pinares, north of Segovia. Detailed investigations of an exposure at Burgomillodo reveal over 35 m of laminated and cross-bedded sand from which seven thermoluminescence dates were obtained. The bedding structures indicate a northwesterly palaeowind direction, different from the present dominating westerly winds. Two phases of sand deposition are identified at the site with evidence of erosion and reactivation phases. An upper unit of ca. 7 ka during the warm-aridity of the Atlantic period and a lower unit between 12.5–11 ka coinciding with the cold-aridity of the Younger Dryas event. The latter, in which at least 25 m of sand were deposited at the site, is the dominant phase and is coincident with what has been identified elsewhere in Spain from biological data as a period which was both cold and dry. The Burgomillodos site, therefore, represents the first sedimentological evidence for this arid phase in the Younger Dryas in central Spain.     

Heavy metals in the slope deposits of loess areas of the Lublin Upland (E Poland)

The concentration of heavy metals (Cd, Cu, Pb, Zn) has been analyzed in Holocene slope deposits of the loess agricultural area in the Eastern Poland. Five profiles were examined. In general, low concentrations of the examined metals were determined, on average 50% of the samples exceeded the designated regional, geochemical background. The average concentrations were: cadmium < 0.5 ppm, copper up to 15, and lead up to 20 and zinc up to 70 ppm, showing a vertical diversity in the profile. Higher heavy metal concentrations in Holocene deposits are related to soil formation or accumulation of organic matter. The direct influence of human factors was most visible in recent deposits. It includes the modification of the development conditions of soil-forming processes as well as the influence on the character of the colluvial deposits. Taking into account the ¹⁴C datings as well as the archeological and historical data the age and rate of sedimentation of deposits have been calculated. The average rate of the colluvia deposition varied from 1.3 to 7.3 mm/year depending on their age and the character of sedimentation.     

Polluted precipitation and the geochronology of mercury deposition in lake sediment of northern Minnesota

Elevated Hg levels in game fish from wilderness lakes in northern Minnesota led to the present study of sediment cores from two lakes to ascertain the source and history of Hg deposition. Natural background levels of Hg were found to range from 0.03 to 0.06 μg g^?1, with cultural levels as high as 0.16 μg g^?1. Reconstructed geochronologies reveal a dramatic two-fold increase in Hg flux, from 0.008 to 0.017 μg cm^?2 yr^?1, occuring after the year 1880, suggesting an anthropogenic influence. No industrial or geologic source of Hg is found in the study watersheds. The entire historical increase in Hg flux can be accounted for by atmospheric loading provided that 1/5 of all the Hg presently supplied to the watershed via precipitation is ultimately deposited in lake sediment. Hg levels in fish are not correlated with Hg levels in lake sediment, although there is a link to acid-sensitivity of lake water, amount of acid-neutralizing geologic material exposed in the watershed, and watershed area/lake volume ratio. Thermal stratification of lake water and a complexation-adsorption mechanism are proposed to account for variations in Hg levels observed in sediment collected from different sites.     

太湖地区稻麦轮作下氮素径流和淋洗损失

Although nitrogen （N） loss through runoff and leaching from croplands is suspected to contribute to the deterioration of surrounding water systems, there is no conclusive evidence for paddy soils to prove this hypothesis. In this study, field plot experiments were conducted to investigate N losses through runoff and leaching for two consecutive years with 3 N fertilization rates in rice （Oryza sativa L.）-wheat （Triticum aestivum L.） rotations in the Taihu Lake region, China. A water collection system was designed to collect runoff and leachates for both the rice and wheat seasons. Results showed that dissolved N （DN）, rather than particulate N （PN）, was the main form of N loss by runoff. The NO3^--N concentration in runoff was between 0.1 and 43.7 mg L^-1, whereas the NH4^＋-N concentration ranged from below detection limit to 8.5 mg L^-1. Total N （TN） loads by runoff were 1.0-17.9 and 5.2-38.6 kg ha^-1 during rice and wheat seasons, respectively, and the main loss occurred at the early growing stage of the crops. Nitrogen concentrations in leachates during the rice seasons were below 1.0 mg L^-1 and independent of the N application rate, whereas those during the wheat season increased to 8.2 mg L^-1 and were affected by the fertilizer rate. Annual losses of TN through runoff and leaching were 13.7-48.1 kg ha^-1 from the rice-wheat cropping system, accounting for 5.6%-8.3% of the total applied N. It was concluded that reduction in the N fertilization rate, especially when the crop was small in biomass, could lower the N pollution potential for water systems.     

Soil and erosion features of the central plateau region of Tigrai,Ethiopia

The results of reconnaissance soil surveys covering 6,000 km² are used to describe the Central Plateau region, which lies at elevations of 2,000 to 2,800 m in northern Ethiopia. Landform and soil sequences on calcareous shales, dolerites and sandstones are described, in which the principal soil units are Lithosols, Luvisols, Cambisols, Arenosols and Vertisols. Detailed morphological and analytical data are presented for a profile representative of arable soils in each sequence.Small-scale subsistence cultivation of cereals is the dominant land use; all land which is physically cultivable is at present cultivated. Settlement patterns are closely related to soil type, nucleated settlement occurring on fine textured soils but dispersed settlement on coarser textured and more freely draining soils.Erosion and soil moisture features of the three landforms described were investigated and compared. Empirical methods and suspended sediment measurements indicate high rates of regional soil loss (17–33 t ha^?1 yr^?1), accounted for by seasonally high rates of rainfall erosivity, steep terrain and poor land use. The recent development of gully erosion is seen to be linked to the disintegration of waterfall tufas. Application of the universal soil loss equation to arable lands indicates potential annual soil losses in the range of 400 t ha^?1 on Vertisols to 200 t ha^?1 on Cambisols: differences in rates are ascribed principally to differences in crop planting dates, which affect the degree of vegetative protection during periods of high rainfall erosivity.Soil moisture is shown to be in the available range for less than three months in the year. The time at which moisture in the profile enters the available range differed between the three soils monitored and was found to be closely related to the crop planting date, thus indirectly affecting the erosion hazard.     

Seasonal dynamics of the physicochemical and biological properties of soils in naturally regenerating,unmanaged and clear-cut beech stands in northern Spain

The physicochemical and biological properties of soils within an unmanaged beech stand and two stands clear-cut in 2001 or 1996 were studied and compared across the year 2008. The clear-cut stands were left to naturally regenerate and exhibited very different levels of tree density. Soil from the stand clear-cut in 2001 had the lowest contents of organic matter and nitrogen, showed high resistance to penetration and the pH varied throughout the seasons. Basal respiration achieved minimum values in summer in both the unmanaged stand and the stand clear-cut in 1996. However, basal respiration slightly fluctuated from spring to autumn in the stand clear-cut in 2001. The seasonal dynamics of protease and phosphatase activities were similar within the three stands: the maximum protease activity was detected in spring and the highest phophatase activity in winter. β-Glucosidase activity in autumn and dehydrogenase in winter were greater in the unmanaged than in the clear-cut stands. Moreover, dehydrogenase activity was extremely low in the stand clear-cut in 1996. Microclimatic parameters within the stands were significantly correlated with several biological properties of soils, with microclimate being strongly determined by the density of trees. Results also suggested that ectomycorrhizal fungi would be key components of the soil microflora in the beech forests.     

Pollution of sediments in the lake ladoga catchment area and the gulf of finland: influencing factors and processes

Sedimentation in the estuary of the Neva River (Gulf of Finland) has been significantly altered in recent years by the construction of a flood prevention barrier for St Petersburg. Concentrations of toxic organic substances and heavy metals have increased 1-5-3-0 fold. a shift in sediment redox potential has occurred in most of the fine-grained particles and the concentration of dissolved oxygen in the bottom waters has decreasd to 0-5-1-0 mg 1-1. the changing environmental conditions and intensive human activities in the area have led to the remobilization of the sedimentary material, threatening the ecosystem with secondary pollution. Not only direct industrial discharges are responsible for the contaminants identified; human activities throughout the catchment area and atmospheric deposition affect the capacity of the ecosystems to absorb pollutants and result in the increased migration of persistent pollutants into the Neva estuary. The functions, factors and processes contributing to the transport and sedimentation of toxic substances in the drainage basin of the Lake Ladoga/Neva River system is discussed. Physical (deforestation, drying of marshes) and chemical factors (industrial pollution, agrochemical use) are reviewed. the role of eutrophication in Lake Ladoga in influencing the migration and bioavailability of toxic substances is discussed with respect to its function as a filter and bioreactor. the temporal and spatial variations in the distribution of suspended and dissolved matter in the lake, which is dependent on its morphometric and hydrological characteristics, change the patterns of transport of toxic substances into the Neva estuary. the ecological status of the Neva estuary is reviewed with particular emphasis on the concentration of pollutants in sediments, redox shifts and dumping and drainage activities. the role of gas production and evolution in the remobilization of lipophilic organic substances is considered to be of major importance in shallow estuaries such as this.