Damage by wind-blown sand and its control along Qinghai-Tibet Railway in China

Zhang, Kecun; Qu, Jianjun; Liao, Kongtai; Niu, Qinghe; Han, Qiang

doi:10.1016/j.aeolia.2009.10.001

Cited by 100 publications

(40 citation statements)

References 9 publications

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“…This combination of control measures is commonly used for sand and dune control and similar engineering approaches have been taken to protect the Shapotou section of the Baotou-Lanzhou Railway (where the checkerboard control system was developed) across the Tengger Desert (Zhang et al, 2007;Qiu et al, 2004) and also the Qinghai-Tibet Railway (Zhang et al, 2010). The checkerboard method of sand control has also been extensively used in China and elsewhere to stabilise surfaces around oases threatened by sand drift and mobile dunes (Zhang et al, 2004) and also to enable reclamation of degraded agricultural land (Li et al, 2009).…”

Section: Blowing Sand and Active Dune Movementmentioning

confidence: 99%

Geomorphological Hazards in Drylands

Wiggs

2011

Arid Zone Geomorphology

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Section: Blowing Sand and Active Dune Movementmentioning

confidence: 99%

Geomorphological Hazards in Drylands

Wiggs

2011

Arid Zone Geomorphology

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“…in response to the combination of climate change with unsustainable human activities (Figure a) in recent decades (Dong, Hu, et al, ; Li et al, ) is threatening livestock and crop cultivation (Dong, ; Dong et al, ; Xue et al, ). The recently constructed Qinghai‐Tibetan Railway is experiencing severe problems from blowing sand (Figure b) in several places (Zhang et al, ). Along with glacial recession, rising of the snow line, degradation of grasslands and permafrost, and shrinkage of lakes and wetlands, wind‐driven land degradation appears to be a major effect of climate change on the plateau's ecological systems (Bai et al, ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

High‐Altitude Aeolian Research on the Tibetan Plateau

Dong

Qian

et al. 2017

Reviews of Geophysics

108

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Aeolian processes and their role in desertification have been studied extensively at low elevations but have been rarely studied at high elevations in areas such as the Tibetan Plateau, where aeolian processes were active in the geologic past and remain active today. In this review, we summarize research that improves our understanding of aeolian processes on the Tibetan Plateau, including the distribution, characteristics, and provenance of aeolian sediments; the history of aeolian activity; aeolian geomorphology; and wind‐driven land degradation. Contemporary aeolian processes primarily occur in dry basins, in wide river valleys, on lakeshores, on mountain slopes, and on gravel pavements. Sediment characteristics suggest a local origin and provide interesting contrasts with those of China's Loess Plateau. The history of aeolian activity and its paleoclimatic implications, reconstructed based on aeolian archives, is short (mostly since the Late Glacial) and shows wide regional differences. Aeolian geomorphology is simple and suggests short formation time. Wind‐driven land degradation is less severe than previously thought, driven by different factors in different areas, and exhibited complex interactions with freeze‐thaw processes. Aeolian research has been conducted within the general framework of aeolian science but addresses issues specific to the Tibetan Plateau that arise due to the low air temperature, low air density, and the presence of a cryosphere. We propose six priorities for future research: aeolian physics, the effect of freeze‐thaw cycles, comparisons with other areas, regional differences, effects of wind‐driven land degradation, and integrated observation and monitoring.

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“…A length of 550 km of the Golha Section passes through a permafrost belt and goes across the Kunlun and Tanggulha Mountains (Cheng and Wu, 2007), the landforms are particularly complex, including aeolian hills, mobile dunes, gravel deserts and alpine meadows. Sand damage has become a serious problem in this section because of the unique alpine sandy environment and strong winds (Zhang et al, 2010). Field survey revealed that sand damage mainly occurred along the Tuotuo River, Hongliang River, Xiushui River and Cuona Lake sections of the Railway (Figure 2).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Wind Tunnel Simulation of Windblown Sand Along China's Qinghai–tibet Railway

Zhang

Han

et al. 2012

Land Degrad Dev

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The Qinghai–Tibet Railway is frequently damaged by windblown sand, and this hinders railway operation. To better understand the characteristics of windblown sand near the railway, wind tunnel experiments were conducted for the Tuotuo River Section, a typical stretch suffering from windblown sand damage. According to climate data, the windy period combines with an arid seasonal climate to increase the risk of blowing sand in this area. Wind tunnel simulation results showed how the airflow interacted with the railway embankment to create sand deposition as well as aeolian erosion. Sand transport rates behind the railbed fitted a Gaussian function well. The results can be used to guide the design of sand‐control structures both in the study area and in other areas that experience threats from windblown sand. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

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Damage by wind-blown sand and its control along Qinghai-Tibet Railway in China

Cited by 100 publications

References 9 publications

Geomorphological Hazards in Drylands

Geomorphological Hazards in Drylands

High‐Altitude Aeolian Research on the Tibetan Plateau

Wind Tunnel Simulation of Windblown Sand Along China's Qinghai–tibet Railway

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