What is the mass of loess in the Loess Plateau of China?

Zhu, Yanhui; Jia, Xiaoxu; Qiao, Jiangbo; Shao, Mingan

doi:10.1016/j.scib.2019.03.021

Cited by 44 publications

(17 citation statements)

References 29 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…The integrated deviation is then 27.5% [=100%√(14.7 2 + 23.2 2 )]. Moreover, we only provide the mean SWC value in the deep vadose zone, i.e., we do not attempt to assess the vertical variation in SWC because loess, as an aeolian deposit, is relatively uniform in the profile (Jia et al, 2018; Zhu et al, 2019). Hence, the uncertainty of deep vadose zone water is the integrated deviation of precipitation and deep SWC retrieval.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Loess is a clastic, predominantly silt‐sized sediment that is formed by the accumulation of wind‐blown dust, and it or similar sediments cover 10% of the Earth's land surface (Liu, 1985; Smalley et al, 2011). The Chinese Loess Plateau (CLP) has the largest and thickest loess deposits (92.2 m on average) around the world and is implementing revegetation to remediate its fragile ecosystem under the conditions of limited water resources, soil erosion, and highly frequent human activities (Liu, 1985; Fu et al, 2017; Zhu et al, 2018, 2019). The revegetation, i.e., the “Grain for Green” initiative, has greatly changed the ecological and hydrological systems in the CLP, typically represented by a significant increase in vegetation coverage, widely distributed dried soil layers, and sharp decreases in runoff and sediment discharging into the Yellow River (Wang et al, 2009, 2016; Feng et al, 2016; Wei et al, 2016).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Capacity and Distribution of Water Stored in the Vadose Zone of the Chinese Loess Plateau

Zhu

Jia

Qiao

et al. 2019

Vadose Zone Journal

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Vadose zone water is up to 3.1 × 1012 m3 in the Chinese Loess Plateau. The deep vadose zone (below 5 m) stores 92.4% of the total vadose zone water. Vadose zone water distribution is uneven, depending on loess thickness and precipitation. Vadose zone water accounts for 42.1% of water resources in the Chinese Loess Plateau. Water stored in the vadose (unsaturated) zone provides the majority of water required by plants and buffers water resources; thus, it is central to understanding ecological and hydrological processes in the Chinese Loess Plateau (CLP) with its thick loess deposits. We used multisource data on soil water content (SWC) and vadose zone thickness, combined with a spatial interpolation method, to quantify the vadose zone water and further deduce the water resource composition in the CLP. Vadose zone water is approximately 3.1 × 1012 m3 (±27.5%) in the CLP, 92.4% of which is stored in the deep vadose zone (>5 m and above the groundwater table). The water resources composition of the CLP comprises precipitation, river water, vadose zone water, and the saturated zone water (shallow groundwater), accounting for 2.1, 0.1, 42.1, and 55.7%, respectively. Although a large amount of water exists in the vadose zone, the SWCs in the upper (<5 m) and deep vadose zones are 47.4 and 65.3%, respectively, of the mean field capacity, both being at a low level. Our findings bridge the knowledge gaps on the deep vadose zone water and water resources composition in the CLP, providing the basis for decision‐making on balancing revegetation and water resources conservation.

show abstract

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Capacity and Distribution of Water Stored in the Vadose Zone of the Chinese Loess Plateau

Zhu

Jia

Qiao

et al. 2019

Vadose Zone Journal

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Clay accounted for 7.8-79.3%, and sand was relatively low across the majority of locations except for in FY County, which accounted for 0-73.7%. Clay content in black soil was significantly higher than that of Quaternary red earth [26], purplish soil in Chongqing [27], and loess in Loess Plateau [28]. This signature particle size characteristic sets an important foundation for the higher natural nutrient capacity in black soil because the fine particles (such as clay) have a large specific surface area, which can absorb more nutrients.…”

Section: Soil Particle Size Characteristicsmentioning

confidence: 96%

Distributions of Particle Sizes in Black Soil and Their Environmental Significance in Northeast China

et al. 2021

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

In recent years, black soil has decreased and degenerated heavily due to complicated functions of natural and artificial factors. Hence, characterizing distributions of particle sizes in black soil and their environmental influencing factors is important for understanding black soil degradation. A total of 116 surface soil samples in the top 20 cm from a typical black soil region in northeastern China were collected, and the spatial distribution of particle size parameters were characterized. Particle size-sensitive components were extracted quantitatively using the log-normal distribution function, and their environmental implications were investigated. The contents of black soil mechanical composition ranged from 7.8% to 79.3% for clay, 17.7% to 80.3% for silt, and 0% to 73.7% for sand, respectively. Median particle size ranged from 1.71 to 142.67 μm, with a coefficient of variation of 60%, indicating silt accounted for the majority of the composition. Four environmentally sensitive components were identified, including long-distance transported airborne deposits of clay dust (C1), successions from local parent materials (C2), short-distance deposits of silt particles (C3), and a component strongly disturbed by human activities (C4). C1 and C2 had relatively low variations, with C1 exhibiting the smallest variation, and C2 contributing highest proportion, showing no significant differences across all samples. C3 widely existed across samples, suggesting common wind erosion within the black soil region. C3 and C4 varied spatially, which was caused by the low vegetation coverage and high human disturbance of agricultural topsoil. The results suggest that windbreaks should be encouraged to reduce wind erosion in the black soil regions.

show abstract

“…Soil erosion is a significant cause of soil degradation, productivity decline, and ecological deterioration (Geist & Lambin, 2004;Fu et al, 2011;Zhu et al, 2019). Erosion is caused by various mechanisms, including biophysical factors with socio-economic, technological, demographic, political, and cultural influences (Geist & Lambin, 2004;Fu et al, 2011).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The Loess Plateau in China covers an area of approximately 640,000 km 2 and has the largest and thickest loess deposits in the world. Unfortunately, its fragile ecosystems are still challenged by soil erosion and changes in vegetation and land use (Tang, Zhang & Lei, 1998;Shi & Shao, 2000;Zhu et al, 2019). It is worth noting that serious soil and water losses (Shi & Shao, 2000), with the rate of soil loss exceeding 50 t ha −1 year −1 (Jiao et al, 2008), are associated with the cultivated slopes, which account for approximately 70% of the arable land in the loess hilly and gully areas (Tang, Zhang & Lei, 1998).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Figure 4: CCA triplot of species and environmental variables.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

What is the mass of loess in the Loess Plateau of China?

Cited by 44 publications

References 29 publications

Capacity and Distribution of Water Stored in the Vadose Zone of the Chinese Loess Plateau

Capacity and Distribution of Water Stored in the Vadose Zone of the Chinese Loess Plateau

Distributions of Particle Sizes in Black Soil and Their Environmental Significance in Northeast China

Figure 4: CCA triplot of species and environmental variables.

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About