Some effects of tramlines on surface runoff, sediment and phosphorus mobilization on an erosion-prone soil

Although introduced into UK farming to help ensure more even application of agrochemicals, tramlines (marked wheelways through crops) are a potential cause of surface runoff and transfer of diffuse pollutants, including sediment and phosphorus (P), into watercourses. To help quantify these potential effects, the impact of tramlines on sediment and P movement in surface runoff was assessed on an erosion‐prone sloping (5°) fine sandy soil over two successive winters. Three replicate and hydrologically isolated runoff plots measuring 15 m long and 2 m wide, and either with, or without, a tramline, were established on field demonstration areas which had received different soil (traditionally ploughed vs. reduced cultivated) and crop (early vs. late drilling) management practices. Reduced cultivation (minimum tillage) consisted of heavy discing (5–8 cm depth) instead of ploughing (20–25 cm depth). Over monitoring periods ranging up to 5 months, plots with tramlines running up and down the slope generated, on average, 46% more runoff (+1–2 mm) compared with plots without tramlines on ploughed soils. This extra runoff resulted in up to fivefold greater sediment loss (+0.4 t ha^?1) and up to fourfold greater total P loss (+0.3 kg ha^?1) from the plots. However, the presence of tramlines had no significant impact on runoff, or sediment and P transfers, where the soil received reduced cultivation. Plots with tramlines that were partially crop covered, or which ran across the slope rather than up and down the slope, produced the same amount of runoff, sediment and P transfer as plots without tramlines. Greatest entrainment of sediment and P in runoff occurred where tramlines coarsely indented the soil, or caused erosion rills to form. Establishing tramlines in dry soils reduced the degree of soil indentation and the risk of channelled runoff causing sediment and P entrainment. The data suggest that tramlines can be managed more sensitively on erosion vulnerable soils to help minimize the risk of sediment and P pollution of our surface waters, and various options are discussed.     

Factors affecting soil loss at plot scale and sediment yield at catchment scale in a tropical volcanic agroforestry landscape

Tropical deforestation and land use change is often perceived as the major cause of soil loss by water erosion and of sediment load in rivers that has a negative impact on the functioning of hydropower storage reservoirs. The Sumberjaya area in Sumatra, Indonesia is representative for conflicts and evictions arising from this perception. The purpose of this study as part of a Negotiation Support System approach was to assess sediment yield both at plot and catchment scale and to relate it to a variety of possible clarifying factors i.e. land use, geology, soil and topography. Sediment yield at catchment scale per unit area, was found to be 3–10 times higher than soil loss measured in erosion plots. A stepwise regression showed that the dominant factors explaining sediment yield differences at catchment scale in this volcanic landscape were a particular lithology (Old Andesites) and slope angle followed by the silt fraction of the top soil. In lithologically sensitive areas soil loss at the plot scale under monoculture coffee gardens decreases over time from on average 7–11 Mg ha^? 1 yr^? 1 to 4–6 Mg ha^? 1 yr^? 1, mainly because of the development of surface litter layers as filters and top soil compaction in the areas without litter, but remains higher than under shade coffee systems or forest. The runoff coefficient under monoculture coffee remains on average significantly higher (10–15%) than under forest (4%) or under shade coffee systems (4–7%). In lithologically stable areas soil loss remained below 1.8 Mg ha^? 1 yr^? 1 and the runoff coefficient below 2.5% under all land use types, even bare soil plots or monoculture coffee gardens. Less than 20% of the catchment area produces almost 60% of the sediment yield. The reduction of negative off-site effects on e.g. the life time of a storage reservoir would benefit greatly from an improved assessment of the lithologies in volcanic landscapes and the consideration of potential sediment source and sink areas. In lithologically sensitive areas, a shift from sun to shade coffee systems may result in reducing surface runoff and soil loss, although water erosion at the plot scale is not the main contributor to sediment yield at the catchment scale. The quantification of land use effects on dominant erosive processes such as river bank and river bed erosion, landslides and the concentrated flow erosion on footpaths and roads can contribute to more targeted efforts and relevant incentives to reduce (or live with) sediment load of the rivers.     

金沙江干热河谷典型区段水土流失特征

以金沙江干热河谷典型区段不同处理坡面和林地、农地集水区为研究对象,采用坡面径流小区和集水区卡口站三角形薄壁堰实测法,在坡面径流小区和集水区土地利用现状调查基础上,通过降雨、径流及泥沙观测,分析金沙江干热河谷典型区段水土流失特征。结果表明:(1)不同处理坡面径流小区产流量、产沙量大小依次为坡耕地>自然坡面>水平阶整地>反坡台整地,表明反坡台和水平阶造林整地以及植被良好的自然坡面对地表径流的拦蓄和对泥沙的削减都起到较好效果;(2)大暴雨对集水区尺度产流产沙贡献值大,产流降雨量在4.8～27.6mm区间,农地集水区径流深小于林地集水区,大于27.6mm时,农地集水区径流深反超林地集水区,而产沙量不受降雨量影响,为林地集水区低于农地集水区;(3)径流小区尺度与集水区尺度雨季水土流失起止时间一致,集水区径流系数小于径流小区,集水区产沙量大于径流小区。     

Impact of afforestation on hydrological response and sediment production in a small Calabrian catchment

Extensive afforestation using Pinus and Eucalyptus has taken place in Calabria since the early 1960's to control expansion of calanchi and biancane. In 1978 three small catchments were established near Crotone to monitor the effect of afforestation on hydrological response and sediment yield. In 1992, rainfall simulation experiments were carried out on plots in these catchments to determine more precisely the effect of tree and ground vegetation on surface runoff and erosional response. Most experiments were carried out in a logged catchment with slopes ranging from 20 to 30° and aspects from SW to NE. Results showed complex runoff generation and sediment production, reflecting the effect of microclimate and subtle variations in vegetation on infiltration characteristics. On south-facing slopes with little ground vegetation runoff generation was rapid with runoff coefficients from 27 to 37% and peak sediment concentrations reaching 83.7 g · 1⁻¹. On north-facing slopes with good tree cover, little grass, but continuous leaf litter, runoff coefficients reached 21%, but peak sediment concentration was only 3.6 g · 1⁻¹, while on recently logged north-facing slopes with dense grass cover the highest runoff coefficient was only 5.5% runoff coefficient, and there was virtually no sediment production. Implications of results for forest management and soil conservation are discussed.     

Fecal coliform dispersal by rain splash on slopes

The movement of fecal pathogens from land to surface and ground water are of great interest because of the public health implications. Non-structural best management practices that control the timing, volume, and placement of animal manures are commonly used to limit opportunities for fecal pathogens to enter water bodies. Increased infiltration capacity, water and waste diversions, and vegetated filter strips are used to control fecal pathogen movement in surface runoff. Fecal pathogens transported by rain splash could conceivably bypass physical barriers. The relationship between slope angle and the transport of fecal coliform bacteria by rain splash was studied. It was hypothesized that there would be a significant down slope transport of fecal coliform bacteria by raindrops falling on a bare soil surface inoculated with fecal coliform bacteria. Slopes from 0° to 40.8° were studied. The mean splash distance for fecal coliforms was less than 50 mm in all directions at 0° slope and more than 500 mm in the downslope direction on a 40.8° slope. Maximum splash distances ranged from about 400 mm on the horizontal surface to more than 1900 mm in the downslope direction on the 40.8° slope. Sequential downhill movement of fecal coliform (FC) bacteria by repeated rain splash could transport FC directly to water bodies or areas of saturation excess where they will become entrained in overland runoff. Further studies on raindrop and rainfall characteristics, as well as surface cover and soil characteristics, will be necessary to more fully understand the mechanisms of FC transport on sloping land by rain splash.     

Modelling of snowmelt erosion and sediment yield in a small low-mountain catchment in Germany

Temporal variability and spatial heterogeneity of surface runoff generation triggers the dynamics of source areas of sediment and sediment-associated nutrient transport. Reliable modelling of hydrological special situations i.e. snowmelt is of high importance for the quality of erosion and sediment yield modelling. Data from the research catchment Schäfertal demonstrate the individuality of snowmelt events in terms of runoff coefficient and delivery ratio. This 1.44 km² low mountain catchment is characterised by a high portion of arable land with a winter grain/winter rape crop rotation. The integrated winter erosion and nutrient load model (IWAN) considers these dynamic aspects by coupling a hydrological model with a sediment load model. Cell size of this raster-based approach is 10 × 10 m². Additionally, snowmelt rill erosion is simulated with a newly developed physically based model that is firstly applied on a catchment scale. A sensitivity analysis of this model system component demonstrates the plausibility of the model approach and the overall robustness of the model system IWAN. The results of the long-term hydrological modelling from 1991 to 2003 are reliable and form the basis for the simulation of six snowmelt events which were observed in the Schäfertal catchment. The estimated total runoff volumes for these events match the observations well. The modelled overland runoff coefficients vary from 0.001 to 0.72. The mean values of cell erosion, which were modelled with one set of parameters for all six events range from 0.0006 to 0.96 t ha^− 1. The total modelled erosion for the events with unfrozen soil and low amount of surface runoff is of a factor 50 below those with partly frozen soil. In addition to these distinctions, the major differences are caused by flow accumulation in shallow depressions in variable parts of the catchment. However, the validation of these results on the single event scale is restricted due to limited spatial data. Total simulated sediment yield at the catchment outlet was as high as 13.84 t which underestimates the observed values, with the exception of one event. Oversimplification of the modelled channel processes may be a reason. The temporal variability and spatial heterogeneity of the surface roughness parameter, which was identified to be sensitive, also causes uncertainty in the parameter estimation. Despite these findings, the model system IWAN was applied successfully on the catchment scale and the simulated results are reliable.     

土壤翻耕对坡地水分转化与产流产沙特征的影响

坡耕地严重的水土流失是导致黄土高原土壤质量退化与生态环境恶化的重要原因。采用模拟降雨的方法研究了翻耕与压实对休闲黄绵土坡耕地水分转化与产流产沙特征的影响。结果表明，(1)与压实相比，土壤翻耕导致入渗率下降40%～60%，产流强度增加1至3倍，降雨向土壤水分的转化率降低50％以上。(2)翻耕条件下流失径流的平均含沙量增加近70％，坡地产沙量增加3倍，径流流失量增加1倍，因此对坡地实行免耕休闲可以有效减轻水土流失、遏制坡地土壤质量退化的态势。(3)降雨过程中，随着产流时间的延长，坡地产沙量呈加速增加的趋势，而且增加速度显著快于坡面径流，因此采取适当措施延长初始产流时间、减少产流量以及提高降雨向土壤水分的转化率均可有效减少坡地土壤流失量。     

Modelling of snowmelt erosion and sediment yield in a small low-mountain catchment in Germany

Temporal variability and spatial heterogeneity of surface runoff generation triggers the dynamics of source areas of sediment and sediment-associated nutrient transport. Reliable modelling of hydrological special situations i.e. snowmelt is of high importance for the quality of erosion and sediment yield modelling. Data from the research catchment Schäfertal demonstrate the individuality of snowmelt events in terms of runoff coefficient and delivery ratio. This 1.44 km² low mountain catchment is characterised by a high portion of arable land with a winter grain/winter rape crop rotation. The integrated winter erosion and nutrient load model (IWAN) considers these dynamic aspects by coupling a hydrological model with a sediment load model. Cell size of this raster-based approach is 10 × 10 m². Additionally, snowmelt rill erosion is simulated with a newly developed physically based model that is firstly applied on a catchment scale. A sensitivity analysis of this model system component demonstrates the plausibility of the model approach and the overall robustness of the model system IWAN. The results of the long-term hydrological modelling from 1991 to 2003 are reliable and form the basis for the simulation of six snowmelt events which were observed in the Schäfertal catchment. The estimated total runoff volumes for these events match the observations well. The modelled overland runoff coefficients vary from 0.001 to 0.72. The mean values of cell erosion, which were modelled with one set of parameters for all six events range from 0.0006 to 0.96 t ha^− 1. The total modelled erosion for the events with unfrozen soil and low amount of surface runoff is of a factor 50 below those with partly frozen soil. In addition to these distinctions, the major differences are caused by flow accumulation in shallow depressions in variable parts of the catchment. However, the validation of these results on the single event scale is restricted due to limited spatial data. Total simulated sediment yield at the catchment outlet was as high as 13.84 t which underestimates the observed values, with the exception of one event. Oversimplification of the modelled channel processes may be a reason. The temporal variability and spatial heterogeneity of the surface roughness parameter, which was identified to be sensitive, also causes uncertainty in the parameter estimation. Despite these findings, the model system IWAN was applied successfully on the catchment scale and the simulated results are reliable.     

垄作方式对薄层黑土区坡面土壤侵蚀的影响

定量评价垄作方式对坡面土壤侵蚀的影响,可为坡面土壤侵蚀防治提供理论参考。基于2012—2015年哈尔滨市野外径流小区监测资料,探讨了顺坡垄、横坡垄、无垄作(裸地休闲对照)垄作方式对坡面土壤侵蚀的影响,分析了不同垄作方式下坡面水沙关系。结果表明:不同垄作方式下径流量和侵蚀量均具有显著差异,坡面径流量和侵蚀量均表现为无垄顺坡垄横坡垄;与无垄作试验处理相比,横坡垄作使坡面径流量和侵蚀量平均减少了92.4%和98.3%,顺坡垄作使坡面径流量和侵蚀量平均减少66.4%和72.2%。当坡度由3°增加到5°时,无垄作、顺坡垄作、横坡垄作坡面侵蚀量分别增加了0.8,8.2,5.5倍。3种垄作方式下坡面水沙关系均呈现出良好的相关关系,顺坡垄作和无垄作坡面侵蚀量随径流量的增加幅度远大于横坡垄作坡面,当坡面径流量10.0mm时,二者坡面侵蚀量急剧增加。     

耕作措施及雨强对南方红壤坡耕地侵蚀的影响

选择典型南方红壤区平均坡度为10°的坡耕地小区进行天然降雨观测,对横坡耕作、顺坡耕作、顺坡耕作+植物篱、稻草覆盖4种耕作措施在侵蚀过程中的径流泥沙和养分流失特征进行研究。结果表明,监测期间,径流深和泥沙流失量基本随雨强的增大而增加。随着耕作措施由顺坡耕作向顺坡耕作+植物篱、横坡耕作、稻草覆盖的转换,减流效益、减氮效益和减磷效益依次增大。稻草覆盖措施减流效益最佳,为91.77%;横坡耕作措施减沙效益最佳,为98.91%;稻草覆盖、横坡耕作和植物篱3种措施在防治高强度降雨引发的土壤侵蚀和养分流失具有较高的效益。耕作措施对泥沙粒径分布有影响。与顺坡耕作、横坡耕作相比,植物篱和稻草覆盖措施能够更有效地拦截径流中的粗颗粒。该研究可为南方红壤丘陵区坡耕地选择合适的耕作措施和防治农业非点源污染提供依据。     

等高耕作对不同坡度坡面土壤侵蚀过程的影响

等高耕作是一种典型的农业耕作措施,通过影响坡面填洼、入渗等进而影响坡耕地坡面土壤侵蚀过程。通过人工模拟降雨试验,设计降雨强度(90 mm/h)、5个地表坡度(3°,5°,10°,15°,20°)以及2种坡面处理(等高耕作和平整坡面),对径流强度、侵蚀率、径流含沙量、减流减沙效益等指标进行综合对比分析,与平整坡面进行比较,探究了黄土高原坡耕地等高耕作措施对坡面土壤侵蚀过程的影响。结果表明：(1)与平整坡面相比,等高耕作明显延缓坡面初始产流时间,使初始产流时间延迟11.58～31.91 min,随着坡度增大,等高耕作初始产流时间延长效应逐渐减弱。(2)等高耕作具有削弱径流强度和侵蚀率的作用,与平整坡面相比,等高耕作的坡面径流强度、侵蚀率和径流含沙量分别减少11.77%～94.92%,20.69%～99.27%和2.46%～88.40%。但等高耕作减少产流产沙能力有限,若坡面发生断垄,等高耕作坡面的径流强度、侵蚀率、径流含沙量都可能接近或大于平整坡面。(3)在降雨过程中,累计产沙量与累计径流量之间满足线性正相关关系,等高耕作累计产沙量随累计径流量的增大幅度始终小于平整坡面。(4)等高耕作在不...     

模拟降雨条件下林木裸露根系分布方式对坡面土壤侵蚀的影响

为探究喀斯特地区林木根系分布方式对坡面土壤侵蚀的影响,采用人工模拟降雨方法,研究林木根系3类分布方式：根系横坡方向局部裸露（横向）、根系顺坡方向局部裸露（顺向）、根系垂直坡面（垂直）的土壤侵蚀特征。降雨强度为75 mm/h,降雨历时为90 min,坡度为25°。结果表明：（1）降雨过程中,横向和垂直生长根系影响土壤入渗,壤中流和地下径流产流时间表现为顺向>横向>垂直;顺向坡面地表径流初始产流时间比横向和垂直坡面略有提前,但差异不显著（p>0.05）;（2）横向、顺向及垂直坡面地表径流总量大小表现为顺向>垂直>横向,壤中流与地下径流产流速率在降雨过程中缓慢增加,降雨停止后急剧减小;（3）林木根系3类分布方式坡面间的地表减沙效益表现为横向>垂直>顺向。综上所述,顺向坡面的汇流作用促使地表产流产沙增加,垂直坡面增加土壤降雨入渗并减少侵蚀,横向坡面对坡面径流泥沙的拦蓄作用最为明显。研究结果对认识喀斯特石漠化坡地土壤侵蚀机理和水土流失防治措施提供了参考。     

模拟雨强和地下裂隙对喀斯特地区坡耕地养分流失的影响

喀斯特坡面水土地下漏失直接观测难度大,其土壤养分地下漏失的研究仍处于空白,而雨强和地下孔(裂)隙度(以下简称地下裂隙)对其土壤养分流失影响作用尚不清楚。该文以喀斯特坡耕地为研究对象,通过模拟其地表微地貌及地下裂隙构造特征,采用人工模拟降雨试验研究雨强和地下裂隙对喀斯特坡面氮磷钾养分流失的影响。结果表明:雨强对地表产流产沙影响显著(P0.05),其产流产沙量均随雨强增大而增加,且地表产流产沙临界雨强在30~50 mm/h之间;雨强对地表径流各养分输出负荷、地下径流全氮(TN)输出负荷及径流TN总负荷影响亦显著(P0.05)。地下裂隙度对地下径流TN输出负荷影响显著(P0.05),而总体上对其产流产沙、地表径流泥沙各养分输出负荷及总负荷影响不明显。喀斯特坡面TN、全磷(TP)输出负荷总体以径流为主,而全钾(TK)输出负荷则以泥沙为主。雨强是喀斯特坡面土壤养分流失的重要影响因子,地下裂隙度对其养分流失影响不大,但地下径流是喀斯特坡面主要的养分流失方式。研究结果可为喀斯特坡耕地养分流失的机理揭示及源头控制提供基本参数和科学依据。     

Validating the Use of 137Cs Measurements to Derive the Slope Component of the Sediment Budget of a Small Rangeland Catchment in Southern Italy

The sediment budget is a key concept and tool for characterizing the mobilization, transfer and storage of fine sediment within a catchment. Caesium‐137 measurements can provide valuable information on gross and net erosion rates associated with sheet and rill erosion that can be used to establish the slope component of a catchment sediment budget. However, there is a need to validate the use of ¹³⁷Cs measurements for this purpose, because their reliability has sometimes been questioned. The study reported focuses on a small (3·04 ha) steepland (mean slope 37%) catchment in Southern Italy. It exploits the availability of information on the medium‐term sediment output from the catchment provided by the construction of a reservoir at its outlet in 1978 and the existence of estimates of soil redistribution rates derived from ¹³⁷Cs measurements made on 68 replicate soil cores collected from the slopes of a substantial proportion of the catchment in 2001, to validate the use of ¹³⁷Cs measurements to construct the slope component of the catchment sediment budget. An additional 50 replicate soil cores were collected from the catchment slopes for ¹³⁷Cs analysis, to complement the data already available. Nine cores collected from the area occupied by the reservoir were used to estimate the mean annual sediment input to the reservoir. In the absence of evidence that the poorly developed channel system in the catchment was either a significant sediment source or sink, it was possible to directly compare the estimate of net soil loss from the catchment slopes (7·33 Mg ha⁻¹ y⁻¹) with the estimate of sediment output from the catchment provided by the reservoir deposits (7·52 Mg ha⁻¹ y⁻¹). Taking account of the uncertainties involved, the close agreement of the two values is seen as providing a convincing validation of the use of ¹³⁷Cs measurements to both estimate soil redistribution rates and as a basis for constructing the slope component of the sediment budget of a small catchment. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Phosphorus losses from arable land in England

Abstract. Concentrations and annual loadings of molyhdate reactive P (MRP) and total (including particulate) P (TP) are reported from field drainage, catchment and erosion experiments in England. Annual losses through field drains and in catchment runoff were 0.037-0.74 kg MRP/ha and 0.37-2.64 kg TP/ha, but those in surface runoff from experimental plots measuring erosion were generally much greater (often > 3 kg MRP/ha and up to 32 kg TP/ha in a wet year). Amounts of TP in drainflow and catchment runoff depended upon factors influencing soil dispersibility, such as particle size distribution and calcium carbonate content. The results to date suggest that P losses in surface runoff and erosion from arable fields to water are best limited by: (a) maximizing crop cover, using minimal cultivation practices and where possible planting crop rows across rather than up and down the slope, (b) avoiding cultivation practices that result in dispersion of soil particles, and (c) avoiding application of P fertilizer to wet soils when rainfall is likely soon after application. Consideration should he given to maintaining field drains below peak efficiency to reduce subsurface P losses.     

不同雨强及坡度对华南红壤侵蚀过程的影响

[目的]研究不同雨强及坡度对华南红壤侵蚀过程的影响,为认识红壤侵蚀过程和水土流失防治提供科学依据。[方法]通过人工模拟降雨试验,研究了不同降雨强度、不同坡度对华南红壤坡面降雨产流过程和侵蚀产沙过程的影响。[结果](1)相同坡度条件下,坡面径流量、侵蚀产沙量均随着雨强的增大而线性增大;相同雨强下,径流量随坡度的增加而减小,而产沙量随着坡度的变化比较复杂;(2)雨强和坡度共同影响着坡面产沙过程,当雨强小于等于180mm/h时,产沙量随坡度的增加而增大,在240mm/h出时呈现先增加后减小的趋势,在15°附近出现临界坡度。在降雨初期,径流率表现为波动增加过程,15min后趋于平稳,一直持续到降雨结束,其中雨强为240,180mm/h时波动较为剧烈,而产沙率呈现急剧而短暂的上升后迅速下降,在大雨强、陡斜坡条件下此现象尤为明显;(3)坡面径流平均流速与单宽流量、坡度比存在显著的幂函数关系,流速与径流量、侵蚀产沙量有着类似的变化规律。[结论]红壤侵蚀过程中雨强为主要影响因素,坡面流速可作为表征红壤坡面侵蚀特征的重要因子。     

Impact of no-tillage agricultural systems on sediment yield in two large catchments in Southern Brazil

Purpose

The impact of agriculture on water resources has long been a problem associated with the formation of runoff, the siltation of lakes and reservoirs, and overall depletion of water quality. In Brazil, these problems are mainly related to soil degradation by water erosion. However, studies of catchment-scale erosion are still rare particularly in grain-producing regions which have adopted conservative tillage systems for soil protection. In order to contribute to a better understanding of the impact of conservation agriculture on water resources, this study determined the runoff coefficient and sediment yield for two agricultural catchments.

Materials and methods

Hydrological and sedimentological monitoring was conducted in two catchments: the Conceicao catchment is characterized by grain production in weathered soils and a gently sloping landscape, while the Guapore catchment is characterized by heterogeneous soils and topography. Both catchments have problems associated with water erosion.

Results and discussion

The magnitudes of annual runoff coefficients and sediment yield were high, even if compared to similar agricultural regions, including a catchment with widespread adoption of no-tillage. The sediment yield was 140 t km^?2 year^?1, and the runoff coefficient was 14 % for the Conceicao catchment, while the sediment yield was 270 t km^?2 year^?1, and the runoff coefficient was 31 % for the Guapore catchment. The results indicate that problems such as gullies, soil compaction, runoff, floods, siltation, and water quality depletion associated with the misuse of agricultural areas in terms of soil conservation and water use are still evident and important even in regions with widespread adoption of no-tillage systems.

Conclusions

The magnitudes of both runoff and sediment yield clearly indicate the need to adopt complementary practices of soil conservation measures, such as mechanical runoff control.     

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.     

开发建设中扰动地面新增水土流失研究

针对神府东胜煤田开采过程中所引发的严重新增水土流失问题,采用野外放水冲刷的试验研究方法,对神府东胜煤田扰动地面新增水土流失机理和流失量进行了初步研究。结果表明:在相同放水冲刷流量和坡度下,原始地面的平均土壤入渗率较扰动地面的增加30%;两种不同类型下垫面的径流量均随时间的增加而增加,冲刷的前6min,径流量均较小,且原始地面>扰动地面,在6min以后,径流量迅速增大,且原始地面<扰动地面,扰动地面的平均径流量较原始地面增加14%;原始地面的侵蚀产沙在整个放水冲刷过程中没有显著变化,基本维持在一个常数水平;扰动地面在放水冲刷0—15min的侵蚀产沙量较高,此后侵蚀产沙随冲刷历时的延长而下降并最终趋于稳定;扰动地面的平均含沙量较原始地面增加96%,平均产沙量增加89%;新增土壤流失量随放水流量和坡度的增大而增大,10°时,新增土壤流失量最大;同一坡度条件下,放水流量越小,土壤流失量增加的百分比就越大,反之则越小。     

Experimental study on the effects of multiple factors on spring meltwater erosion on an alpine meadow slope

Meadow degradation provides a major indication of increased soil erosion in alpine regions. Serious soil erosion is observed during the spring in particular because soil thawing coincides with the period of snowmelt and the meadow coverage is very low at this time. Studies relating to soil erosion caused by spring meltwater are, however, limited and controversial. Therefore, a field experimental study was conducted in a typical meadow in the Binggou watershed on the northern edge of the Tibetan Plateau to assess the impact of multiple factors on spring meltwater erosion on an alpine meadow slope. The multiple factors included three flow rates (1, 2, and 3 L/min), four slope gradients (10°, 15°, 20°, and 25°), and three underlying surface conditions (meadow, disturbed meadow, and alluvial soil). An equal volume of concentrated meltwater flow was used in all experiments. The results showed that rapid melting at a high flow rate could accelerate soil erosion; as the flow rate increased from 1 to 3 L/min, the total surface runoff increased by a factor of 0.7 and the total sediment yield increased by more than 6-fold. The influence of the slope gradient on the amount of runoff was positively linear and the influence was relatively low; when the slope increased from 10° to 25°, the total runoff only increased by 16%. However, the slope gradient had a strong impact on soil erosion. The total sediment yield doubled when the slope increased from 10° to 20° and then slightly decreased at 25°. The meadow could effectively reduce soil erosion, although when the meadow was disturbed, the total runoff increased by 60% and the sediment yield by a factor of 1.5. The total runoff from the alluvial soil doubled in comparison to the meadow, while the sediment yield increased nearly 7-fold. The findings of this study could be helpful to understand the characteristics and impact of multiple controlling factors of spring meltwater erosion. It also aims to provide a scientific basis for an improved management of alpine meadows as well as water and soil conservation activities in high-altitude cold regions.