Effects of soil rock fragment content on the USLE-K factor estimating and its influencing factors

Rock fragments are an important component of soil,and their presence has a significant impact on soil erosion and sediment yield.In this paper,the effects of rock fragments in the topsoil profile(RFP)and rock fragments on the soil surface(RFS)on the soil erodibility factor(K)were assessed at a global scale.The spatial pattern of the relationship between stoniness and erodibility(RS-K)and its predominant factors were explored through correlation analysis,pattern analysis,and random forest model analysis.The results were as followings:(1)The existence of RFP increased K by 2.84%.The RFS of the mountain land and desert/Gobi reduced K by 18.7%;therefore,once the RFP and RFS were taken into account in the calculation,K was 6.98%lower.(2)The predominant factors of the effect of RFS and the joint effect of RFP and RFS were elevation and slope gradient.The predominant factors of the effect of RFP were annual average precipitation and annual average temperature.(3)In assessing and mapping soil erosion in large regions,special attention should be given to areas with large rock fragment contents,a relatively high altitude,and the presence of steep slope.If rock fragments were not taken into consideration,the mapping results of soil erosion may be biased.This article made the calculation of K more complete and accurate,thereby improving the accuracy of regional soil erosion estimation.This research was of sig-nificance for the investigation of global hydrological effects and simulation of the global soil carbon budget.

The assessment of soil loss by water erosion in China

Soil erosion is a major environmental problem in China.Planning for soil erosion control requires accurate soil erosion rate and spatial distribution information.The aim of this article is to present the methods and results of the national soil erosion survey of China completed in 2011.A multi-stage,unequal probability,systematic area sampling method was employed.A total of 32,948 sample units,which were either 0.2-3 km2 small catchments or 1 km2 grids,were investigated on site.Soil erosion rates were calculated with the Chinese Soil Loss Equation in 10 m by 10 m grids for each sample unit,along with the area of soil loss exceeding the soil loss tolerance and the proportion of area in excess of soil loss tolerance relative to the total land area of the sample units.Maps were created by using a spatial interpolation method at national,river basin,and provincial scales.Results showed that the calculated average soil erosion rate was 5 t ha-1 yr-1 in China,and was 18.2 t ha-1 yr-1 for sloped,cultivated cropland.Intensive soil erosion occurred on cropland,overgrazing grassland,and sparsely forested land.The proportions of soil loss tolerance exceedance areas of sample units were interpolated through the country in 250 m grids.The national average ratio was 13.5%,which represents the area of land in China that requires the implementation of soil conservation practices.These survey results and the maps provide the basic information for national conservation planning and policymaking.

Triblock copolymer-assisted construction of 20 nm-sized ytterbium-doped TiO_2 hollow nanostructures for enhanced solar energy utilization efficiency

Rare-earth doped titania single-crystalline hollow nanoparticles of 20 nm are constructed via a simple sol-gel process. Amphiphilic ABA tri-block copolymers played a key role in assisting the formation of hollow structure, for which a hollow nanostructure growth mechanism is proposed. By introducing rare earth into the synthesis process, the as-prepared nanoparticles exhibit near-infrared light absorption properties. Photo-decomposition efficiency of Orange II azo dye can be successfully evaluated when using Yb3+-doped Ti O2 hollow nanoparticles as photocatalysts; it is more than two times higher than the pure Ti O2 hollow nanoparticles. The hollow nanostructured Yb3+-doped Ti O2 samples are exploited as photoanodes in N719- sensitized solar cells and prove able to improve the photoelectric conversion efficiency by measuring the solar cell parameters of dye-sensitized solar cells(DSSCs) under simulative sunlight.

Impacts of different surface features on soil detachment in the subtropical region

Near-surface features have a great influence on runoff and detachment processes by overland flow,but the contributions are still unclear on steep slopes with yellow soil in subtropical humid regions.Field scouring experiments were conducted to investigate how near-surface features affect hydraulic parameters and detachment rate by overland flow.Five treatments and a baseline(disturbed rootless bare cropland)were designed to identify the contributions from stem-leaves,litter,biological soil crusts(BSCs),root systems and non-disturbance,respectively.The results showed that(1)the values of velocity,Reynolds number and Froude number for vegetated slopes were significantly lower than that of baseline,and stem-leaves made a greater contribution(average of 47.30%)to reducing kinetic energy than the other features;(2)the total contribution rate of grassland was 99.38%,and of this total,1.19,1.44,2.49,49.79 and 44.47%reductions were attributed to the stem-leaves,litter,BSCs,root systems and non-disturbance,respectively.Root system and non-disturbance dominated the detachment rate reduction;(3)with increasing flow rate or slope gradient,the total contribution rate remained between 98%and 100%;and(4)for each treatment,the relationship between detachment rate and hydraulic parameters remained constant,and the stream power was the best predictor to detachment rate.The study results are helpful in evaluating the effects of near-surface features on erosion control and providing reference for government decision-makers to choose appropriate soil conservation and management practices.