Wind-prevention and Sand Fixation Effects of Checkerboard Sand Barrier Along Typical Yellow River Bank in Ulan Buh Desert
[Objective]The sand fixation effects of mechanical sand barrier along typical Yellow River bank in Ulan Buh Desert were studied in order to provide theoretical supports and scientific references for the rational configuration and application of sand barriers in the desert areas along the Yellow River.[Methods]Checkerboard sand barriers comprised of 2 m×2 m gauze,polylactic acid(PLA),and straw were evaluated.Measurements of wind speed at heights of 10,20,50,100,and 200 cm above the three checkerboard sand barrier treatments and the simultaneous collection of aeolian dust from 0 to 50 cm near the surfaces were used to determine the effects of three types of sand barrier on wind prevention and sand fixation after forming a stable barrier surface.[Results]① The sand barriers of gauze,PLA,and straw all effectively reduced the near-surface wind speed,especially at the height of 10 cm.When the wind speed was 10.32 m/s,the wind protection efficiency of the three sand barriers reached 49.73%,39.92%,and 38.33%,respectively.② The wind speed profile of the PLA sand barrier had an S-shaped curve,and the roughness of the three types of sand barriers was greater than observed for the bare dune.(3)Compared with the bare dune,the three types of sand barriers reduced the degree of wind disturbance at the height of 10 cm above the surface.④ The sediment transport rate of the gauze,PLA,and straw sand barriers showed an exponential relationship with height,and the sand fixation effect was 94.37%,44.80%,and 53.16%,respectively.Compared with the bare dune,these three types of sand barriers effectively elevated the average saltation height of sand grains,and the gauze sand barrier elevated to 5.35 times that of the control.[Conclusion]According to the aeolian sand activity degree and material acquisition degree along the bank of the Yellow River in the Ulan Buh Desert,the straw sand barrier was useful for sand fixation,the PLA sand barrier was useful for sand fixation and for promoting the growth of vegetation,and the gauze sand barrier was useful for wind protection and sand fixation.
checkerboard sand barrierstable barrier surfacewind prevention and sand fixationdegree of wind disturbanceUlan Buh Desert