Rare and endangered plant species of the Chinese Altai Mountains

Altai (also named Altay in China) Mountain Country (Mountain System) is a unique natural region,located on the border between different floristic regimes of the Boreal and ancient Mediterranean sub-kingdoms,where distribution of plant species is actually limited. It is known to have sufficient endemic floral biodiversity in the Northern Asia. Many plants of Altai Mountain System need effective care and proper conservation measures for their survival and longer-term protection. Important Plant Area identified as the IUCN (the International Union for Conservation of Nature),specified criteria attract global attention for protection of floral biodiversity across the world. The records of 71 plant species from the Chinese Altai Mountains attributed to the criterion A and the dark conifer forests of Chinese Altai Mountains satisfied the criterion C,which may help qualify to fulfill the national obligation of the Convention on Biological Diversity.

Temperature regime of mountain permafrost in the Russian Altai Mountains

This study presents the long-term temperature monitoring in the Russian Altai Mountains. In contrast to the Mongolian and Chinese parts, the modern temperature regime of the Russian Altai remains unclear. The complexity of a comprehensive understanding of permafrost conditions in the Russian Altai is related to the high dissection of the terrain, the paucity of the latest observational data, and the sparse population of permafrost areas. The general objective of this study is to determine the temperature regime on the surface,in the active layer, and in the zero annual amplitude(ZAA) layer, based on the known patterns of permafrost distribution in the region. Using automatic measuring equipment(loggers), we obtained information on the temperature of frozen and thawed ground within the altitudes from 1484 to 2879 m a. s. l. during the period from 2014 to 2020.An array of 15 loggers determined the temperature regime of bare and vegetated areas within watersheds,slopes, and valleys. N-factor parameters and surface temperature are similar to those in the Mongolian Altai, but the mean annual ground temperature at the depth of 1 m has a wide range of fluctuations(more than 32℃) based on research results, and we allocated it into three groups based on altitudinal zonality. Snow cover has a strong influence on the temperature regime, but the determination of the fine-scale variability requires additional study.Ground temperature regime during the observation period remained stable, but continued monitoring allows a more detailed assessment of the response to climatic changes.

Mass Loss from Glaciers in the Chinese Altai Mountains between 1959 and 2008 Revealed Based on Historical Maps, SRTM, and ASTER Images

Mass loss of glaciers in the Chinese Altai was detected using geodetic methods based on topographical maps(1959), the Shuttle Radar Topography Mission(SRTM) Digital Elevation Model(DEM)(2000), and the Advanced Space-borne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer(ASTER) stereo images(2008). The results indicate that a continued and accelerating shrinkage has occurred in the Chinese Altai Mountains during the last 50 years, with mass deficits of 0.43 ± 0.02 and0.54 ± 0.13 m a-1 water equivalent(w.e.) during the periods 1959-1999 and 1999-2008, respectively.Overall, the Chinese Altai Mountains have lost 7.06 ±0.44 km3 in ice volume(equivalent to-0.43 ± 0.03 m a-1 w.e.) from 1959-2008. The spatial heterogeneity in mass loss was potentially affected by comprehensive changes in temperature and precipitation, and had a substantial correlation withglacier size and topographic settings. Comparison shows that in the Chinese Altai Mountains glaciers have experienced a more rapid mass loss than those in the Tianshan and northwestern Tibetan Plateau(TP), and the mass balance of glaciers was slightly less negative relative to those in the Russian Altai, Himalaya, and southern TP.

Response of snow hydrological processes to a changing climate during 1961 to 2016 in the headwater of Irtysh River Basin, Chinese Altai Mountains

With changing climatic conditions and snow cover regime, regional hydrological cycle for a snowy basin will change and further available surface water resources will be redistributed. Assessing snow meltwater effect on runoff is the key to water safety, under climate warming and fast social-economic developing status. In this study, stable isotopic technology was utilized to analyze the snow meltwater effect on regional hydrological processes, and to declare the response of snow hydrology to climate change and snow cover regime, together with longterm meteorological and hydrological observations, in the headwater of Irtysh River, Chinese Altai Mountains during 1961-2015. The average δ^(18) O values of rainfall, snowfall, meltwater, groundwater and river water for 2014–2015 hydrological year were-10.9‰,-22.3‰,-21.7‰,-15.7‰ and-16.0‰, respectively.The results from stable isotopes, snow melting observation and remote sensing indicated that the meltwater effect on hydrological processes in Kayiertesi River Basin mainly occurred during snowmelt supplying period from April to June. The contribution of meltwater to runoff reached 58.1% during this period, but rainfall, meltwater and groundwater supplied 49.1%, 36.9% and 14.0% of water resource to annual runoff, respectively. With rising air temperature and increasing snowfall in cold season, the snow water equivalent(SWE) had an increasing trend but the snow cover duration declined by about one month including 13-day delay of the first day and 17-day advancement of the end day during 1961–2016. Increase in SWE provided more available water resource. However, variations in snow cover timing had resulted in redistribution of surface water resource, represented by an increase of discharge percentage in April and May, and a decline in Juneand July. This trend of snow hydrology will render a deficit of water resource in June and July when the water resource demand is high for agricultural irrigation and industrial manufacture.

Influence of atmospheric circulation on precipitation in Altai Mountains

We analyzed the changes in precipitation regime in the Altai Mountains for 1959-2014 and estimate the influence of atmospheric circulations on these changes. Our study showed that during last 56 years the changes in the precipitation regime had a positive trend for the warm seasons(April-October),but weakly positive or negative trends for the cold seasons(November-March). It was found that these changes correspond to the decreasing contribution of "Northern meridional and Stationary anticyclone(Nm-Sa)" and "Northern meridional and East zonal(Nm-Ez)" circulation groups and to the increasing contribution of "West zonal and Southern meridional(Wz-Sm)" circulation groups,accordingly to the Dzerdzeevskii classification. In addition,it was found that the variation of precipitation has a step change point in 1980. For the warm seasons,the precipitation change at this point is associated with the reduced influence of "West zonal(Wz)","Northern meridional and Stationary anticyclone(Nm-Sa)" and "Northern meridional and Southern meridional(Nm-Sm)" circulation groups. For the cold seasons,a substantialincrease of "Wz-Sm" and a decrease of "Nm-Sa","Nm-Ez" circulation groups are responsible for the precipitation change in the two time periods(1959-1980 and 1981-2014).

Peat humification-and δ^(13)C_(cellulose)-recorded warm-season moisture variations during the past 500 years in the southern Altai Mountains within northern Xinjiang of China

To predict future spatio-temporal patterns of climate change, we should fully understand the spatio-temporal patterns of climate change during the past millennium. But, we are not yet able to delineate the patterns because the qualities of the retrieved proxy records and the spatial coverage of those records are not adequate. Northern Xinjiang of China is one of such areas where the records are not adequate. Here, we present a 500-yr land-surface moisture sequence from Heiyangpo Peat(48.34°N, 87.18°E, 1353 m a.s.l) in the southern Altai Mountains within northern Xinjiang. Specifically, peat carbon isotope value of cellulose(δ^(13)C_(cellulose)) was used to estimate the warm-season moisture variations and the degree of humification was used to constrain the δ^(13)C_(cellulose)-based hydrological interpretation. The climatic attributions of the interpreted hydrological variations were based on the warm-season temperature reconstructed from Belukha ice core and the warm-season precipitation inferred from the reconstructed Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillations(AMO). The results show that humification decreased and the δ^(13)C_(celluose)-suggested moisture decreased from ~1510 to ~1775 AD, implying that a constant dryingcondition may have inhibited peat decay. Our comparison with reconstructed climatic parameters suggests that the moisture-level decline was most likely resulted from a constant decline of precipitation. The results also show that humification kept a stable level and the δ^(13)C_(celluose)-suggested moisture also decreased from ~1775 to ~2013 AD, implying that peat decay in the acrotelm primarily did not depend on the water availability or an aerobic environment. Again, our comparison with reconstructed climatic parameters suggests that the land-surface moisturelevel decline was most likely resulted from a steady warming of growing-season temperature.

A tale of elemental accumulation and recycling in the metamorphosed Keketale VMS-type Pb-Zn deposit,Altai Mountains

The elemental accumulation and recycling in the metamorphosed Keketale VMS-type Pb-Zn deposit of the Altai Mountains are presented in this study.Based on detailed fieldwork and microscopic observation,the formation of the deposit involved syngenetic massive sulfide mineralization and epigenetic superim-posed mineralization.Different generations of iron sulfides(i.e.,pyrite and pyrrhotite)with contrasting textural,elemental,and sulfur isotopic features were generated in primary mineralization(including hydrothermal iron sulfides,colloform pyrite)and secondary modification(including annealed iron sul-fides,oriented iron sulfides,and vein-pyrite).It is revealed that the spatial variation in textures and ele-ments of hydrothermal iron sulfides depends on the inhomogeneous fluid compositions and varied environment in VMS hydrothermal system.Both leached sulfur from the footwall volcanic rocks and reduced sulfur by the TSR process are regarded as important sulfur sources.Furthermore,large sulfur iso-topic fractionation and negativeδ^(34)S values were mainly caused by varied oxygen fugacity,and to a lesser extent,temperature fluctuation.The epigenetic polymetallic veins that contain sulfides and sulfosalts(e.g.,jordanite-geocronite,bournonite-seligmannite,boulangerite)were considered as the products of metamorphic fluid scavenged the metal-rich strata.All things considered,it is indicated that two epi-sodes of fluid with distinct origins were essential for the formation of the deposit.The predominant evolved seawater along with subordinate magmatic fluid mobilized metals from volcanic rocks and pre-cipitated massive sulfides near the seafloor are vital for primary mineralization.The metamorphic fluid remobilized metals(i.e.,FMEs:fluid mobile elements,e.g.,Pb,As,Sb)from neighboring volcanic and pyroclastic rocks and destabilized them within the fractured zone are responsible for secondary miner-alization,which enhances the economic value of the deposit.Accordingly,metal-rich Devonian strata had been successively swept by different origins of fluid,leading to progressively elemental enrichment and the formation of a large deposit.Furthermore,the current study enlightens that FME-bearing veins with economic benefits can be discovered near the metamorphosed VMS deposits.

Chemical Characteristics of Snow-Firn Pack in Altai Mountains and Its Environmental Significance

In order to study the chemical characteristics of snow-firn pack in Altai Mountains and its environmental significance, a 1.5-m deep snow-firn pack was dug in the accumulation zone （3 300 m a.s.I.） of the Kanas Glacier in August 2009. A total of 15 samples were analyzed for major ions. Results show that the concentrations of major ions in the snow-firn pack are NH4＋〉SO4 2-〉Ca2＋〉NO3＋〉 Na＋〉CI〉K＋〉Mg2＋. NH4＋ is the dominant cation with a medium value of 4.7 ueq-L-1, accounting for 39.8% of the total cations, and SO42- is the dominant anion, with a medium value of 4.0 ueq.L-I, which accounts for 33.9% of the total cations. Compared with Belukha Glacier （Altai）, Urumqi Glacier No. 1, and the Inilchek Glacier （Tienshan）, there is a lower ion concentrations in the Kanas snow-firn pack. Potential sources of these chemical species are explored using correlation and empirical orthogonal function （EOF） analyses. The analyses indicate that major ion concentrations （except NH4＋） originate from crustal dust. Backward trajectory analysis was applied to get the origin of the air mass to Kanas Glacier. The results suggest that air pollutants emitted by forest fires in Siberia could be transported and influence the NH4＋, NO3, and SO42 concentrations on the Kanas Glacier.

Impacts of landscape and climatic factors on snow cover in the Altai Mountains,China

Snow properties and their changes are crucial to better understanding of hydrological processes,soil thermal regimes,and surface energy balances.Reliable data and information on snow depth and snow water equivalent(SWE)are also crucial for water resource assessments and socio-economic development at local and regional scales.However,these data are extremely limited and unreliable in northern Xinjiang,China.This study thus aims to investigate spatial variations of snow depth,SWE,and snow density based on winter snowfield surveys during 2015 through 2017 in the Altai Mountains,northwestern China.The results indicated that snow depth(25-114 cm)and SWE(40-290 mm)were greater in the alpine Kanas-Hemu region,and shallow snow accumulated(9-42 cm for snow depth,26-106 mm for SWE)on the piedmont sloping plain.While there was no remarkable regional difference in the distribution of snow density.Snow property distributions were strongly controlled by topography and vegetation.Elevation and latitude were the most important factors affecting snow depth and SWE,while snow density was strongly affected by longitude across the Altai Mountains in China.The influence of topography on snow property distributions was spatially heterogenous.Mean snow depth increased from 13.7 to 31.2 cm and SWE from 28.5 to 79.9 mm,respectively,with elevation increased from 400 to 1000 m a.s.l.on the piedmont sloping plain.Snow depth decreased to about 15.1 cm and SWE to about 28.5 mm from 1000 to 1800 m a.s.l.,then again increased to about 98.1 cm and 271.7 mm on peaks(-2000 m a.s.l.)in the alpine Kanas-Hemu.Leeward slopes were easier to accumulate snow cover,especially on north-,east-,and southeast-facing slopes.Canopy interception was also the cause of the difference in snow distribution.Snow depth,SWE,and snow density in forests were reduced by 8%-53%,2%-67%and-4%to+48%,respectively,compared with surrounding open areas.Especially when snow depth was less than 40 cm,snow depth and SWE differences in forests were more exaggerated.This study provides a basic data set of spatial distributions and variations of snow depth,SWE and snow density in the Altai Mountains,which can be used as an input parameter in climate or hydrological models.These first-hand observations will help to better understand the relationship between snow,topography and climate in mountainous regions across northern China and other high-mountain Asian regions.

Vegetation dynamics and its response to climate change during the past 2000 years in the Altai Mountains,northwestern China

Over the past 2000 years,a high-resolution pollen record from the Yushenkule Peat(46°45′-46°57′N,90°46′-90°61′E,2374 m a.s.l.)in the south-eastern Altai Mountains of northwestern China has been used to explore the changes in vegetation and climate.The regional vegetation has been dominated by alpine meadows revealed from pollen diagrams over the past 2000 years.The pollen-based climate was warm and wet during the Roman Warm Period(0-520 AD),cold and wet during the Dark Age Cold Period(520-900 AD),warm and wet during the Medieval Warm Period(900-1300 AD),and cold and dry during the Little Ice Age(1300-1850 AD).Combined with other pollen data from the Altai Mountains,we found that the percentage of arboreal pollen showed a reduced trend along the NW-SE gradient with decreasing moisture and increasing climatic continentality of the Altai Mountains over the past 2000 years;this is consistent with modern distributions of taiga forests.We also found that the taiga(Pinus forest)have spread slightly,while the steppe(Artemisia,Poaceae and Chenopodiaceae)have recovered significantly in the Altai Mountains over the past 2000 years.In addition,the relatively warm-wet climate may promote high grassland productivity and southward expansion of steppe,which favors the formation of Mongol political and military power.

Spatiotemporal variations in surface albedo during the ablation season and linkages with the annual mass balance on Muz Taw Glacier,Altai Mountains

Melt-albedo feedback on glaciers is recognized as important processes for understanding glacier behavior and its sensitivity to climate change.This study selected the Muz Taw Glacier in the Altai Mountains to investigate the spatiotemporal variations in albedo and their linkages with mass balance,which will improve our knowledge of the recent acceleration of regional glacier shrinkage.Based on the Landsat-derived albedo,the spatial distribution of ablation-period albedo was characterized by a general increase with elevation,and significant east–west differences at the same elevation.The gap-filling MODIS values captured a nonsignificant negative trend of mean ablation-period albedo since 2000,with a total decrease of approximately 4.2%.From May to September,glacier-wide albedo exhibited pronounced V-shaped seasonal variability.A significant decrease in annual minimum albedo was found from 2000 to 2021,with the rate of approximately−0.30%yr−1 at the 99%confidence level.The bivariate relationship demonstrated that the change of ablation-period albedo explained 82%of the annual mass-balance variability.We applied the albedo method to estimate annual mass balance over the period 2000–2015.Combined with observed values,the average mass balance was−0.82±0.32 m w.e.yr−1 between 2000 and 2020,with accelerated mass loss.

Environmental significance and hydrochemical characteristics of rivers in the western region of the Altay Mountains,China

Analysis of environmental significance and hydrochemical characteristics of river water in mountainous regions is vital for ensuring water security.In this study,we collected a total of 164 water samples in the western region of the Altay Mountains,China,in 2021.We used principal component analysis and enrichment factor analysis to examine the chemical properties and spatiotemporal variations of major ions(including F-,Cl-,NO_(3)-,SO_(4)^(2-),Li+,Na+,NH4+,K+,Mg^(2+),and Ca^(2+))present in river water,as well as to identify the factors influencing these variations.Additionally,we assessed the suitability of river water for drinking and irrigation purposes based on the total dissolved solids,soluble sodium percentage,sodium adsorption ratio,and total hardness.Results revealed that river water had an alkaline aquatic environment with a mean pH value of 8.00.The mean ion concentration was ranked as follows:Ca^(2+)>SO_(4)^(2-)>Na+>NO_(3)->Mg^(2+)>K+>Cl->F->NH_(4)+>Li+.Ca^(2+),SO_(4)^(2-),Na+,and NO_(3)-occupied 83%of the total ion concentration.In addition,compared with other seasons,the spatial variation of the ion concentration in spring was obvious.An analysis of the sources of major ions revealed that these ions originated mainly from carbonate dissolution and silicate weathering.The recharge impact of precipitation and snowmelt merely influenced the concentration of Cl-,NO_(3)-,SO_(4)^(2-),Ca^(2+),and Na+.Overall,river water was in pristine condition in terms of quality and was suitable for both irrigation and drinking.This study provides a scientific basis for sustainable management of water quality in rivers of the Altay Mountains.

中国雪都阿尔泰山暖区暴雪水汽特征分析

为进一步做好中国雪都阿勒泰山冬季冰雪旅游暴雪预报预警服务,利用阿尔泰山固态降水数据、NCEP/NCAR再分析和GDAS数据,应用天气学诊断和不同水汽分析方法对2021年阿尔泰山区3次暴雪过程环流背景和水汽特征进行分析。结果表明:①3次暴雪过程均为新疆北部典型的暖区暴雪过程。②欧拉方法分析表明,该区水汽主要源于大西洋及其沿岸,阿尔泰山西边界为水汽输入,东边界和南边界为水汽输出,中、低层的水汽输入量与暴雪量关系密切,水汽通量散度辐合区位于对流层低层。③HYSPLIT(拉格朗日)方法分析表明,水汽源地主要来自北冰洋、欧洲,其次是中亚和加拿大,与上述结论明显不同;对暴雪区综合贡献较大的是对流层低层的水汽。④构建了阿尔泰山区暴雪过程水汽贡献模型,700 hPa及以上水汽自源地到达关键区后主要从偏西(西南)路径输入暴雪区,700 hPa以下水汽到达关键区后,在环流合适时主要从东南路径输入暴雪区,但从偏西(西南)和西北路径输入暴雪区的水汽也不容忽视;水汽主要在对流层低层聚集,并辐合抬升。

新疆阿尔泰山不同泥炭地记录的全新世大气粉尘信息及其影响因素

本文以中国西北阿尔泰山铁力沙汗和哈拉萨孜泥炭地为研究对象,结合AMS^(14)C年代框架,高分辨率测定两处泥炭地柱芯中的微量元素和常量元素,分析中国西北高山区泥炭记录的全新世大气粉尘历史沉降过程及其影响因素。研究发现:铁力沙汗和哈拉萨孜记录的全新世大气粉尘通量分别为22.74~76.92 g/(m^(2)·a)和18.60~198.38 g/(m^(2)·a)。与铁力沙汗相比,哈拉萨孜泥炭中矿物元素主要来源于大气沉降,表现为早全新世和早−中全新世时期粉尘通量较高,中全新世后粉尘通量较低,更能代表区域粉尘活动历史变化。阿尔泰地区泥炭记录的全新世粉尘通量高于季风区,且在中全新世后通量下降的特征,与季风区泥炭记录的高粉尘通量的结论相反。粉尘来源和气候环境是导致不同区域粉尘通量变化存在差异的主要原因。中国西北干旱区粉尘源区的湿度和温度通过影响植被覆盖状况,对区域大气沉降过程产生影响,但局地环境和冻土变化差异,也会导致区域内不同载体记录的大气粉尘信息存在明显差异。本研究对更全面更准确地认识区域大气环境变化过程及其主要影响因素,具有科学意义。

2002—2021年北半球中高纬度典型山脉积雪的时空变化对比分析

积雪是冰冻圈的重要组成部分,其对气候变化的响应存在明显的空间差异。阿尔泰山脉、阿尔卑斯山脉和喀斯喀特山脉分别是亚洲、欧洲和北美洲最重要的山脉之一,三条山脉同处于北半球中高纬度,具有丰富的积雪资源。本文基于MODIS每日积雪产品,获得阿尔泰山脉、阿尔卑斯山脉和喀斯喀特山脉的积雪覆盖率、积雪日数、积雪初日和积雪终日四个积雪参数,对比分析了三条山脉2002—2021年积雪的时空变化,并研究了气候因子对积雪参数的影响。结果表明,三条山脉积雪参数的空间分布差异明显。阿尔泰山脉积雪覆盖率最大,积雪日数最长,积雪初日最早,积雪终日最晚,分别为38.00%、141 d、66 d、207 d;阿尔卑斯山脉的积雪覆盖率、积雪日数、积雪初日、积雪终日分别为21.68%、79 d、97 d、194 d;喀斯喀特山脉的积雪覆盖率最小,积雪日数最短,积雪初日最晚,积雪终日最早,分别为15.18%、56 d、103 d、183 d。就趋势而言,阿尔泰山脉积雪覆盖率增大,更早的积雪和更晚的融雪使积雪日数增加;阿尔卑斯山脉积雪覆盖率减小,更早的融雪使得积雪日数减少;喀斯喀特山脉积雪覆盖率增大,更晚的融雪使得积雪日数增加。各气候因子中,地表温度对三条山脉积雪的影响比降水大。对三条山脉积雪时空变化的一致性对比分析,有助于全面了解北半球中高纬度山区积雪对气候变化响应的时空差异。

阿尔泰山河谷林径向生长对气候的响应

阿尔泰山林区是新疆十分重要的生态屏障,研究阿尔泰山树木的生长规律及其对气候的响应十分重要。基于树木年轮学为基础,选择布尔津、哈巴河和北屯3个采样点,采用相关性分析及Mann-Kendall突变检验探究阿尔泰山河谷林径向生长变化特征及其对气候变化的响应。结果表明:(1)布尔津树轮宽度年表平均敏感度、标准差、树间相关系数和第一特征向量百分比最大,说明该标准化年表包含的气候信息最丰富的,其次是北屯。(2)河谷林3个样点树轮宽度指数变化均呈上升趋势,且经Mann-Kendall突变检验,哈巴河、北屯样点树轮年表的突变时间均在年平均气温和年降水量突变时间之后,说明树轮生长有“滞后效应”。(3)哈巴河样点树轮宽度指数与前一年降水量呈显著正相关(P<0.01),北屯样点树轮宽度指数与当年降水量呈显著正相关(P<0.01),说明树轮宽度指数与降水相关性较强,与气温相关性较弱。(4)布尔津树轮年表受温度影响大,从生长季开始到生长季中后期,均与气温呈显著正相关,北屯树轮年表与降水呈显著正相关,与生长季末期的平均温度呈显著负相关。研究表明即使在相似生境下树木生长的影响因素也不同,布尔津样点树木受到开始生长时温度和结束时降水的影响较大,而北屯和哈巴河受生长季降水因素影响更为突出。

中国阿尔泰山冰川变化脆弱性及适应能力影响因素分析

冰川是冰冻圈重要的组成要素,作为我国西部干旱区重要的淡水资源,冰川变化的脆弱性与区域社会经济发展密切相关。本文以中国阿尔泰山为例,基于遥感影像分析了1990—2020年间阿尔泰山冰川变化的特征,构建了阿尔泰山冰川变化脆弱性的评估框架和指标体系,分析得到2000—2020年阿尔泰山冰川变化脆弱性的时空演变格局,并利用障碍度模型深入探析了冰川变化适应能力的影响因素。研究结果表明,在1990—2020年的近30年间,我国阿尔泰山冰川的面积和储量均减小了约20%,且不同县市冰川面积变化率存在较大的差异,青河县冰川面积缩小率最大,达到73%,布尔津县的冰川面积缩小率最小,仅为18%。阿尔泰山冰川变化脆弱性随时间呈先缓慢下降、后加速上升的趋势,区域差异在不断下降。在空间分布上阿尔泰山西北部和东部地区冰川变化脆弱性中等偏高;西南部地区冰川变化脆弱性偏低;中部地区冰川变化脆弱性在全局范围内最低。适应能力的提升能有效降低阿尔泰山地区冰川变化的脆弱性,以2010年为分界点,阿尔泰山冰川变化适应能力在前期依赖于区域经济和水资源状况的提升和改善,在后期适应能力的提升向社会公共收入与投资以及公共服务质量倾斜明显,各县市适应能力提升途径更加多元且均衡。

Responses to climate warming of hydrological processes in the upper Kelan River in the Altay Mountains, Xinjiang, China

Kelan River is a branch of the Ertix River, originating in the Altay Mountains in Xinjiang, northwestern China. The upper streams of the Kelan River are located on the southern slope of the Altay Mountains; they arise from small glacial lakes at an elevation of more than 2,500 m. The total water-collection area of the studied basin, from 988 to 3,480 m, is about 1,655 km2. Almost 95 percent of the basin area is covered with snow in winter. The westerly air masses deplete nearly all the moisture that comes in the form of snow during the winter months in the upper and middle reaches of the basin. That annual flow from the basin is about 382 mm, about 45 percent of which is contributed by snowmelt. The mean annual precipitation in the basin is about 620 mm, which is primarily concentrated in the upper and middle basin. The Kelan River system could be vulnerable to climate change because of substantial contribution from snowmelt runoff. The hydrological system could be altered significantly because of a warming of the climate. The impact of climate change on the hydrological cycle and events would pose an additional threat to the Altay region. The Kelan River, a typical snow-dominated watershed, has more area at higher elevations and accumulates snow during the winter. The peak flow occurs as a result of snow-melting during the late spring or early summer. Stream flow varies strongly throughout the year because of seasonal cycles of precipitation, snowpack, temperature, and groundwater. Changes in the temperature and precipitation affect the timing and volume of stream-flow. The stream-flow consists of contributions from meltwater of snow and ice and from runoff of rainfall. Therefore, it has low flow in winter, high flow during the spring and early summer as the snowpack melts, and less flows during the late summer. Because of the warming of the current climate change, hydrology processes of the Kelan River have undergone marked changes, as evidenced by the shift of the maximum flood peak discharge from May to June; the largest monthly runoffs also have an increment of about 15 percent related to before 1980; April-June runoff increased from the 60 percent of the annual runoff before 1980 to nearly 70 percent after 1990. The long-term trend shows temperature and precipitation increased mainly in the winter, but the rainfall declined in summer; hydrological process is manifested by the rising runoff in May and decreasing in June. Warming and the increase of winter and spring snowcover would lead to increased snowmelt, increasing the spring-flood hazards and the maximum flood discharge with disastrous consequences. The changed hydrological patterns caused by climate change have already impacted the urban water supply and agricultural and livestock production along the river.

Orogenic and Anorogenic Granitoids in the Altay Mountains of Xinjiang and Their Discrimination Criteria

On the basis of field geological studies of the granotoids in the region, mineralogical, petrological, geochemical(including stable isotope geochemical) and isotopic geochronological investigations were carried out on selected representative granitic bodies of various types. The authors have concluded that, apart from the bodies of the orogenic granitoid series, there also exist intrusions of the anorogenic granitoid series in the region. The intrusives of the two series were formed not only in different ages and tectonic environments, but also were derived from different sources of materials. Moreover, they are associated with different mineralizations, belonging to different minerologenetic series(Cheng et al., 1983). They show distinctly a series of discriminative criteria. The problems under discussion in the present paper are of important theoretical and practical significance in the studies of granites of the orogenic belt, particularly the studies of the genesis and related metallogeny of the granites of the region.

Extreme Flood Events over the Past 300 Years Inferred from Lake Sedimentary Grain Sizes in the Altay Mountains,Northwestern China

Understanding the temporal variations of extreme floods that occur in response to climate change is essential to anticipate the trends in flood magnitude and frequency in the context of global warming. However, long-term records of paleofloods in arid regions are scarce, thus preventing a thorough understanding of such events. In this study, a reconstruction of paleofloods over the past 300 years was conducted through an analysis of grain sizes from the sediments of Kanas Lake in the Altay Mountains of northwestern China. Results showed that grain parameters and frequency distributions can be used to infer possible abrupt environmental events within the lake sedimentary sequence, and two extreme flood events corresponding to ca. 1736–1765 AD and ca. 1890 AD were further identified based on canonical discriminant analysis(CDA) and coarse percentile versus median grain size(C-M) pattern analysis, both of which occurred during warmer and wetter climate conditions by referring to tree-ring records. These two flood events are also evidenced by lake sedimentary records in the Altay and Tianshan mountains. Furthermore, through a comparison with other records, the flood event from ca. 1736–1765 AD in the study region seems to have occurred in both the arid central Asia and the Alps in Europe, and thus may have been associated with changes in the North Atlantic Oscillation(NAO) index.