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Basin-scale spatial soil erosion variability: Pingshuo opencast mine site in Shanxi Province, Loess Plateau of China

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Abstract

Opencast mining and relevant land reclamation measurements can have a large impact on the surrounding landscape by altering vegetation, topography, and subsurface. Mining processes will induce changes in runoff, erosion, surface drainage system, and ecological functions. In this present study, Sanggan River (SGR) watershed with a surface area of about 1480 km2, which contains Pingshuo mine lying in the central part of this basin, was chosen for applying RUSLE model. RUSLE was applied in conjunction with geographic information systems and remote sensing to estimate erosion risks and assess impacts of mining on the channels and hydrologic system, in order to implement better water and soil conservation and reclamation practices. The RUSLE factors (R, K, LS, C, P) in 3 years, 1986, 2000, and 2013, were computed. Erosion in the study area for each of those years was classified into six grades: slight, light, moderate, intense, severe, and aggressive rates. Topographic factor (LS) and conservation practice factor (P) influenced the erosion to a greater extent and had higher correlation with soil erosion. High soil erosion rate was observed in areas with high terrain alteration, high slopes, and land with sparse vegetation. Hilly areas, grasslands, and the newly constructed mine dumps were more degraded with higher erosion.

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Acknowledgments

This research was supported by the National Nature Science Foundation of China (41271528), the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities of China (2652015179), and Beijing Higher Education Young Elite Teacher Project.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. College of Land Science and Technology, China University of Geosciences, 29 Xue Yuan Road, Handian District, Beijing, 100083, People’s Republic of China

    L. Zhang, Ke Z. Bai, Man J. Wang & R. Karthikeyan

  2. Key Laboratory of Land Consolidation and Rehabilitation, Ministry of Land and Resources, Beijing, 100035, People’s Republic of China

    Ke Z. Bai & Man J. Wang

  3. Biological and Agricultural Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843-2117, USA

    R. Karthikeyan

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  1. L. Zhang
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  2. Ke Z. Bai
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Correspondence to L. Zhang or Ke Z. Bai.

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Zhang, L., Bai, K.Z., Wang, M.J. et al. Basin-scale spatial soil erosion variability: Pingshuo opencast mine site in Shanxi Province, Loess Plateau of China. Nat Hazards 80, 1213–1230 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11069-015-2019-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11069-015-2019-9

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