Recovery of Sediment Characteristics in Moraine,Headwater Streams of Northern Minnesota After Forest Harvest1

Merten, Eric C., Nathaniel A. Hemstad, Randall K. Kolka, Raymond M. Newman, Elon S. Verry, and Bruce Vondracek, 2010. Recovery of Sediment Characteristics in Moraine, Headwater Streams of Northern Minnesota After Forest Harvest. Journal of the American Water Resources Association (JAWRA) 46(4): 733-743. DOI: 10.1111/j.1752-1688.2010.00445.x Abstract: We investigated the recovery of sediment characteristics in four moraine, headwater streams in north-central Minnesota after forest harvest. We examined changes in fine sediment levels from 1997 (preharvest) to 2007 (10 years postharvest) at study plots with upland clear felling and riparian thinning, using canopy cover, proportion of unstable banks, surficial fine substrates, residual pool depth, and streambed depth of refusal as response variables. Basin-scale year effects were significant (p < 0.001) for all responses when evaluated by repeated-measures ANOVAs. Throughout the study area, unstable banks increased for several years postharvest, coinciding with an increase in windthrow and fine sediment. Increased unstable banks may have been caused by forest harvest equipment, increased windthrow and exposure of rootwads, or increased discharge and bank scour. Fine sediment in the channels did not recover by summer 2007, even though canopy cover and unstable banks had returned to 1997 levels. After several storm events in fall 2007, 10 years after the initial sediment input, fine sediment was flushed from the channels and returned to 1997 levels. Although our study design did not discern the source of the initial sediment inputs (e.g., forest harvest, road crossings, other natural causes), we have shown that moraine, headwater streams can require an extended period (up to 10 years) and enabling event (e.g., high storm flows) to recover from large inputs of fine sediment.     

Carbon Sequestration Function of Check-Dams: A Case Study of the Loess Plateau in China

Check-dams are the most common structures for controlling soil erosion in the Loess Plateau. However, the effect of check-dams on carbon sequestration, along with sediment transport and deposition, has not been assessed over large areas. In this study, we evaluated the carbon sequestration function of check-dams in the Loess Plateau. The results indicate that there were approximately 11 000 check-dams distributed in the Loess Plateau, with an estimate of the amount of sediment of 21 × 10⁹ m³ and a soil organic carbon storage amount of 0.945 Pg. Our study reveals that check-dams in the Loess Plateau not only conserve soil and water but also sequester carbon.     

酸改性泥炭对含亚甲基蓝废水的吸附净化作用

采用稀硝酸对泥炭进行改性处理获得酸改性泥炭,并将其用于处理亚甲基蓝废水。考察初始溶液pH、接触时间、酸改性泥炭投加量和亚甲基蓝溶液初始浓度等因素对酸改性泥炭吸附效果影响。结果表明,初始溶液pH、接触时间、酸改性泥炭投加量和亚甲基蓝溶液初始浓度对酸改性泥炭吸附性能都有一定的影响。在最佳的反应条件下(接触时间为60 min,反应温度为35℃,初始溶液pH为7.12,酸改性泥炭投加量为2 g),亚甲基蓝去除率可达90.88%,其吸附较好地符合Freundlich和Langmuir等温方程,拟合相关系数均大于0.9。通过热力学计算发现,ΔG<0、ΔS>0,表明该吸附反应是自发的、吸热反应。且该吸附过程符合准二级动力学方程(R2=0.98)。     

基于GIS与RUSLE的武陵山区小流域土壤侵蚀评价研究

以长江中下游武陵山区女儿寨小流域为研究区,基于数据观测积累及实地调查采样等方法,计算了研究区降雨侵蚀力、土壤可蚀性等因子,运用GIS与RUSLE评价了流域土壤侵蚀强度并分析了其与土地利用方式、海拔高度的关系。结果表明,流域平均土壤侵蚀强度为78844 t/（km2·a）,属微度侵蚀,流域面积9518%的范围发生轻度以下的侵蚀,强烈以上侵蚀仅占1.19%。从土地利用类型来看,耕地、果园侵蚀强度较大,均达到中度侵蚀,有林地除竹林地为轻度侵蚀外均属微度侵蚀,耕地、果园、竹林地是今后水土流失防治的主要地类。不同海拔高度中,低海拔（200～400 m）区域侵蚀量占到流域侵蚀总量的6442%,是水土流失防治的重点地带。研究为应用修正通用土壤流失方程在武陵山区进行土壤侵蚀评价提供范例,为研究区防治土壤侵蚀和流域管理规划决策提供相应参考     

Detention Outlet Retrofit Improves the Functionality of Existing Detention Basins by Reducing Erosive Flows in Receiving Channels

By discharging excess stormwater at rates that more frequently exceed the critical flow for stream erosion, conventional detention basins often contribute to increased channel instability in urban and suburban systems that can be detrimental to aquatic habitat and water quality, as well as adjacent property and infrastructure. However, these ubiquitous assets, valued at approximately $600,000 per km² in a representative suburban watershed, are ideal candidates to aid in reversing such cycles of channel degradation because improving their functionality would not necessarily require property acquisition or heavy construction. The objective of this research was to develop a simple, cost‐effective device that could be installed in detention basin outlets to reduce the erosive power of the relatively frequent storm events (~ < two‐year recurrence) and provide a passive bypass to maintain flood control performance during infrequent storms (such as the 100‐year recurrence). Results from a pilot installation show that the Detain H₂O device reduced the cumulative sediment transport capacity of the preretrofit condition by greater than 40%, and contributed to reduced flashiness and prolonged baseflows in receiving streams. When scaling the strategy across a watershed, these results suggest that potential gains in water quality and stream channel stability could be achieved at costs that are orders of magnitude less than comparable benefits from newly constructed stormwater control measures.     

The influence of use-related,environmental, and managerial factors on soil loss from recreational trails

Recreational uses of unsurfaced trails inevitably result in their degradation, with the type and extent of resource impact influenced by factors such as soil texture, topography, climate, trail design and maintenance, and type and amount of use. Of particular concern, the loss of soil through erosion is generally considered a significant and irreversible form of trail impact. This research investigated the influence of several use-related, environmental, and managerial factors on soil loss on recreational trails and roads at Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area, a unit of the U.S. National Park Service. Regression modeling revealed that trail position, trail slope alignment angle, grade, water drainage, and type of use are significant determinants of soil loss. The introduction of individual and groups of variables into a series of regression models provides improved understanding and insights regarding the relative influence of these variables, informing the selection of more effective trail management actions. Study results suggest that trail erosion can be minimized by avoiding “fall-line” alignments, steep grades, and valley-bottom alignments near streams, installing and maintaining adequate densities of tread drainage features, applying gravel to harden treads, and reducing horse and all-terrain vehicle use or restricting them to more resistant routes.     

泥石流坝后侵蚀坑纵剖面形态及最大深度实验研究

泥石流拦砂坝坝后侵蚀坑形态和深度是泥石流冲刷基础研究的薄弱环节。通过室内水槽实验,探讨了泥石流坝后侵蚀坑的形态和不同实验控制条件下侵蚀坑深度的变化规律等。由实验观察可知,侵蚀坑纵剖面整体上呈现两端浅中间深的形态特征,其最深点的位置随水槽坡度增大向下游方向发展;侵蚀坑坑内上游坡度较下游坡度陡,对于具有相同级配的粘性砂和无粘性砂,无粘性砂的侵蚀坑坑内坡度较粘性砂的缓;侵蚀坑的最大深度受沟床纵坡、泥石流的容重、沟床组成物质的性质(特征粒径、粘性)等因素的影响较大;泥砂粘性的存在将大大削弱侵蚀的深度。     

浅谈新疆风电场水土保持措施配置——以新疆华电小草湖风电场二场一期工程为例

风能作为一种清洁无污染的可再生能源,已经被广泛运用到电力事业的发展中来。近年来,新疆的风力发电发展迅速,风电场建设过程中不可避免地会对土壤及植被造成一定的破坏,人为地加剧了水土流失。概述了风电项目水土流失特点,以新疆华电小草湖风电场工程为例,结合项目区具体特点,分区设置防治措施。通过工程措施、植物措施与临时措施的有机结合,有效地防止水土流失。     

模拟降雨径流作用下红壤坡面侵蚀水动力学机制

土壤侵蚀过程受控于侵蚀外营力和土壤抗侵蚀性能,深入理解坡面流水动力学特性及其侵蚀动力是研究土壤侵蚀动力学机制的基础。利用可变坡土槽,通过不同雨强(60、90和120 mm/h)和径流冲刷(10、15和20 L/min)组合模拟试验,研究了第四纪黏土红壤坡面水流的水动力学特征参数及其与土壤侵蚀量间的关系。结果显示:降雨和径流冲刷影响了坡面产流产沙过程和坡面流水力学特性,其中平均流速v、平均水深h、雷诺数Re和水流功率ω均随降雨强度和上方来水流量的增加而增大,相对水深曼宁糙率n/h则减小,其水力学他参数(弗如德数Fr、阻力系数f和水流剪切力τ)变化规律不明显。坡面水流平均速度取值范围为0.21~0.45 m/s,平均水深取值范围为5.6~9.4 mm,在试验条件下红壤坡面侵蚀水流流态大部分均处于"紊流-急流区"。不论从径流角度看或是从泥沙角度分析,由相对水深和曼宁糙率系数两种水动力因子共同组成的复合水动力特征参数-相对水深曼宁糙率,是表征不同上方来水流量和降雨强度条件下第四纪粘土红壤坡面侵蚀特征的水动力参数。     

秦皇岛海岸侵蚀动态研究

利用不同时期的地形图、遥感图片对比,并选取典型海岸岸滩监测剖面实测数据,对海岸侵蚀现状进行了分析和定量计算。分析结果显示,秦皇岛海岸全线处于侵蚀状态,平均蚀退率1.5～4 m/a,根据蚀退率可将秦皇岛海岸划分为严重侵蚀、强侵蚀、侵蚀、微侵蚀、稳定5种岸线侵蚀类型。