Stable isotope analysis of water sources for Tamarix laxa in the mega-dunes of the Badain Jaran Desert, China

The complex interactions in desert ecosystems between functional types and environmental conditions could be reflected by plant water use patterns. However, the mechanisms underlying the water use patterns as well as the water sources of Tamarix laxa in the mega-dunes of the Badain Jaran Desert, China, remain unclear. This study investigated the water sources and water use patterns of T. laxa using the stable oxygen isotope method. The δ18O values of xylem water, soil water in different layers(0–200 cm), rainwater, snow water, lake water, atmospheric water vapor, condensate water, and groundwater were measured. The sources of water used by T. laxa were determined using the IsoSource model. The results indicate that T. laxa mainly relies on soil water. At the beginning of the growing season(in May), the species is primarily dependent on water from the middle soil layer(60–120 cm) and deep soil layer(120–200 cm). However, it mainly absorbs water from the shallow soil layer(0–60 cm) as the rainy season commences. In September, water use of T. laxa reverts to the deep soil layer(120–200 cm). The water use patterns of T. laxa are closely linked with heavy precipitation events and soil water content. These findings reveal the drought resistance mechanisms of T. laxa and are of significance for screening species for ecological restoration.

New evidence for the links between the local water cycle and the underground wet sand layer of a mega-dune in the Badain Jaran Desert, China

Scientists and the local government have great concerns about the climate change and water resources in the Badain Jaran Desert of western China. A field study for the local water cycle of a lake-desert system was conducted near the Noertu Lake in the Badain Jaran Desert from 21 June to 26 August 2008. An underground wet sand layer was observed at a depth of 20–50 cm through analysis of datasets collected during the field experiment. Measurements unveiled that the near surface air humidity increased in the nighttime. The sensible and latent heat fluxes were equivalent at a site about 50 m away from the Noertu Lake during the daytime, with mean values of 134.4 and 105.9 W/m2 respectively. The sensible heat flux was dominant at a site about 500 m away from the Noertu Lake, with a mean of 187.7 W/m2, and a mean latent heat flux of only 26.7 W/m2. There were no apparent differences for the land surface energy budget at the two sites during the night time. The latent heat flux was always negative with a mean value of –12.7 W/m2, and the sensible heat flux was either positive or negative with a mean value of 5.10 W/m2. A portion of the local precipitation was evaporated into the air and the top-layer of sand dried quickly after every rainfall event, while another portion seeped deep and was trapped by the underground wet sand layer, and supplied water for surface psammophyte growth. With an increase of air humidity and the occurrence of negative latent heat flux or water vapor condensation around the Noertu Lake during the nighttime, we postulated that the vapor was transported and condensed at the lakeward sand surface, and provided supplemental underground sand pore water. There were links between the local water cycle, underground wet sand layer, psammophyte growth and landscape evolution of the mega-dunes surrounding the lakes in the Badain Jaran Desert of western China.

巴丹吉林沙漠高大沙山粒度成分与沙山形成

选取巴丹吉林沙漠东南部全球高差最大(约420 m)的诺尔图湖东大沙山和较高的苏木巴润吉林湖西大沙山(高差约400 m),对其迎风坡沉积物进行系统采样分析,讨论了高大沙山迎风坡沉积物粒度成分特点、变化规律、原因及其活动性。结果表明,全球高差最大的诺尔图东沙山和苏木巴润吉林湖西沙山迎风坡沉积物具有双层结构,表层沉积物的粒度组成较下层粗,表层沉积物的中砂含量高于细砂,而下层沉积物的细砂含量明显高于中砂;两层沉积物中的极粗砂、粗砂、极细砂和粗粉砂含量均很少,且不含粘粒。表层沉积物粒度成分比下层粗是表层沉积物受到了风蚀作用造成的。从沙山下部到上部,迎风坡沉积物粒度成分逐渐变细,分选变好,偏度趋于负偏。两个大沙山粒度组成与变化特点一致表明,大沙山表层粒度成分在发生粗化,物质组成还在发生移动,大沙山仍然处在活动阶段。大沙山地貌与风力作用可分为3个带,下部是以较平坦洼地为代表的侵蚀、搬运带,中部是新月形沙丘密集分布的物质堆积和运移并存带或风沙物质转运带,上部是风沙物质堆积的陡峭沙山主峰带。大沙山物质运移的基本模式是下部以侵蚀搬运为主,中、上部物质则是堆积与运移并存,风沙物质经过多次的运移传递而到达沙山顶部和背风坡。

Geomorphological Evolution Revealed by Aeolian Sedimentary Structure in Badain Jaran Desert on Alxa Plateau, Northwest China

The Badain Jaran Desert,located in the Alxa Plateau,Northwest China,features mega-dunes and a unique dune-lake alternation landscape.This paper presented the aeolian sediment structures of three representative dunes in the Badain Jaran Desert using ground-penetrating radar (GPR).We processed and analyzed the GPR data and investigated the feasibility of using integrated GPR and sedimentological data to reconstruct dunes structure,sedimentary environment and geomorphological evolution.The results show that the internal structures of star dune and transverse dune represent various stages of mega-dune evolution: the main deposition processes of mega-dune are similar to those of transverse dunes but have a more complicated mechanism of sand transport and deposition because of the superimposition of dunes;the upper section of the mega-dune has a structure similar to that of star dune,with vertical aggradations on top.Diffraction hyperbolae in the GPR profile indicates that the presence of ancient dunes characterized by calcareous cementation layers is involved in the maintenance of mega-dunes,and water levels,shown by continuous,sub-horizontal GPR reflections,are supposed to be closely related to mega-dunes and the interdune lakes.Outcrop of wet sand and horizontal stratifications on the GPR image indicate moisture potentials with different levels inside mega-dunes.The multiplex geomorphology in the Badain Jaran Desert is the result of global climatic undulation,the unique geographical location,the geological structural features,etc.