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Interactions between freeze–thaw actions, wind erosion desertification, and permafrost in the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau

Author

Listed:
  • Shengbo Xie

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Jianjun Qu

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Xiangtian Xu

    (Inner Mongolia University)

  • Yingjun Pang

    (Chinese Academy of Forestry)

Abstract

The unique natural environment of the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau has led to the development of widespread permafrost and desertification. However, the relationship between desertification and permafrost is rarely explored. Here we study the interaction between desertification and permafrost using a combination of simulations, experiments, and field observations in the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau. Results show the cohesion values of the test samples that experienced 1, 3, and 6 freeze–thaw cycle times decreased by 65.9, 46.0, and 35.5 %, respectively, and the compressive strength of the test samples decreased by 69.6, 39.6, and 34.7 %, respectively, compared to the test samples that did not experience freeze–thaw cycles. The wind erosion rate of the test block eroded by sand-bearing wind was far larger than that by clean wind under the same conditions; the maximum value was 50 times higher than that by clean wind. The wind erosion rate increased with an increasing number of freeze–thaw cycles, water content, and freeze–thaw temperature difference. The ground temperature below the sand layer was decreased, compared to the natural ground surface that without sand layer covering, the drop amplitude of yearly average temperature was roughly maintained at 0.2 °C below the thick sand layer (1.2 m), and the maximum drop of yearly average temperature was 0.7 °C below the thin sand layer (0.1 m). Therefore, with the presence of water, the destruction of surface soil structure caused by repeated and fierce freeze–thaw actions is the main cause of wind erosion desertification in the permafrost region of Qinghai–Tibet Plateau, and sand-bearing wind is the main dynamic force. The development of eolian sand deposits after the desertification emerges. As a result, the properties of the underlying surface are altered. Due to the high reflectivity and poor heat conductivity of the sand layer, the heat exchange of the land–atmosphere system is impeded, causing a drop in the ground temperature of the underlying permafrost that subsequently preserves the permafrost.

Suggested Citation

  • Shengbo Xie & Jianjun Qu & Xiangtian Xu & Yingjun Pang, 2017. "Interactions between freeze–thaw actions, wind erosion desertification, and permafrost in the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau," Natural Hazards: Journal of the International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, Springer;International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, vol. 85(2), pages 829-850, January.
  • Handle: RePEc:spr:nathaz:v:85:y:2017:i:2:d:10.1007_s11069-016-2606-4
    DOI: 10.1007/s11069-016-2606-4
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Bing Guo & Yi Zhou & Jinfeng Zhu & Wenliang Liu & Futao Wang & Litao Wang & Lin Jiang, 2015. "An estimation method of soil freeze-thaw erosion in the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau," Natural Hazards: Journal of the International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, Springer;International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, vol. 78(3), pages 1843-1857, September.
    2. Fujun Niu & Jing Luo & Zhanju Lin & Minhao Liu & Guoan Yin, 2014. "Thaw-induced slope failures and susceptibility mapping in permafrost regions of the Qinghai–Tibet Engineering Corridor, China," Natural Hazards: Journal of the International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, Springer;International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, vol. 74(3), pages 1667-1682, December.
    3. Hui Peng & Wei Ma & Yan-hu Mu & Long Jin & Kun Yuan, 2015. "Degradation characteristics of permafrost under the effect of climate warming and engineering disturbance along the Qinghai–Tibet Highway," Natural Hazards: Journal of the International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, Springer;International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, vol. 75(3), pages 2589-2605, February.
    4. Shiwei Shen & Caichu Xia & Jihui Huang & Yan Li, 2015. "Influence of seasonal melt layer depth on the stability of surrounding rock in permafrost regions based on the measurement," Natural Hazards: Journal of the International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, Springer;International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, vol. 75(3), pages 2545-2557, February.
    5. Haibo Wang & Mingguo Ma & Liying Geng, 2015. "Monitoring the recent trend of aeolian desertification using Landsat TM and Landsat 8 imagery on the north-east Qinghai–Tibet Plateau in the Qinghai Lake basin," Natural Hazards: Journal of the International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, Springer;International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, vol. 79(3), pages 1753-1772, December.
    6. Zhongqiong Zhang & Qingbai Wu, 2012. "Thermal hazards zonation and permafrost change over the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau," Natural Hazards: Journal of the International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, Springer;International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, vol. 61(2), pages 403-423, March.
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    1. Shengbo Xie & Jianjun Qu & Qingjie Han & Yingjun Pang, 2020. "Wind Dynamic Environment and Wind Tunnel Simulation Experiment of Bridge Sand Damage in Xierong Section of Lhasa–Linzhi Railway," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(14), pages 1-14, July.
    2. Xiao Feng & Jianjun Qu & Qingbin Fan & Lihai Tan & Zhishan An, 2019. "Characteristics of Desertification and Short-Term Effectiveness of Differing Treatments on Shifting Sand Dune Stabilization in an Alpine Rangeland," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(24), pages 1-15, December.

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