Sedimentary Characteristics,Ages,and Environmental Significance of Gravel Deposits and Loess in Shandong,Eastern China:Regional Response to Global Change Since the Last Glacial Period

Investigation of rarely studied gravel layers found in the loess in Shandong Province,eastern China,reveals the fabric characteristics of two gravel layers(G1,G2)and the sedimentary characteristics of loess at the typical and well-preserved Heiyu section(HY),where,to determine the paleoclimatic changes during Marine Isotope Stage 3a.Optically stimulated luminescence dates of the HY formation range from 0.26±0.02 ka to 39.00±2.00 ka.In addition,the ages of G1 and G2 were estimated using the Bayesian model to be 39.60-40.50 and 29.00-29.50 ka.G1 and G2 are mainly composed of fine and medium gravel,both of which were subangular to subrounded limestone,with gravel directions to NE and E.The average flow velocity,average depth,and flood peak flow of G1 are 1.10 m/s,0.49 m,and 37.04 m^(3)/s,respectively,calculated using the flow energy method,whereas those of G2 are 0.98 m/s,0.38 m,and 18.38 m^(3)/s,respectively.Analysis of climate proxy indices show that the sedimentary environment of the gravel and loess in HY might be a regional response to global change.

Determination and impact factor analysis of hydrodynamic dispersion coefficient within a gravel layer using an electrolyte tracer method

Hydrodynamic dispersion is a measure for describing the process of solute transport in porous media.Characterizing the dispersion of water flow within gravel is essential for the prediction of solute transport especially nonpoint source pollutants migration in alpine watersheds where the land surface is typically covered with gravel.In this study,an integrated model and experimental method using an electrolyte tracer is proposed for determination of the hydrodynamic dispersion coefficient.Two experimental scenarios were designed to measure electrolyte tracer transport processes in both free water flow and gravel layer flow under different slope gradients and transport distances.Subsequently,the measured data were used to simultaneously calculate both the hydrodynamic dispersion coefficient and flow velocity by fitting the experimental data with the mathematical model.Dispersivity,as a critical feature of hydrodynamic dispersion,was determined as well under the two specified scenarios.Finally,the impact mechanisms of the gravel layer and factors related to the dispersion processes were comprehensively analyzed.The results indicate that the presence of a gravel layer significantly reduces flow velocity and the hydrodynamic dispersion coefficient,but increases solute dispersivity.For the flow within gravel layers,with much lower velocity,the positive effect of the gravel layer on dispersivity may be neutralized or even surpassed by the negative effect of flow velocity.The results should be helpful in characterizing the dispersion processes of water flow within gravel layer and hence in predicting solute transport,especially in nonpoint source pollutants migration in alpine watersheds where the land surface is richly covered with gravel.