Sand Deposits Research Articles

Effects of aeolian deposition on soil properties and microbial carbon metabolism function in farmland of Songnen Plain, China

The effects of wind erosion, one of the crucial causes of soil desertification in the world, on the terrestrial ecosystem are well known. However, ecosystem responses regarding soil microbial carbon metabolism to sand deposition caused by wind erosion, a crucial driver of biogeochemical cycles, remain largely unclear. In this study, we collected soil samples from typical aeolian deposition farmland in the Songnen Plain of China to evaluate the effects of sand deposition on soil properties, microbial communities, and carbon metabolism function. We also determined the reads number of carbon metabolism-related genes by high-throughput sequencing technologies and evaluated the association between sand deposition and them. The results showed that long-term sand deposition resulted in soil infertile, roughness, and dryness. The impacts of sand deposition on topsoil were more severe than on deep soil. The diversity of soil microbial communities was significantly reduced due to sand deposition. The relative abundances of Nitrobacteraceae, Burkholderiaceae, and Rhodanobacteraceae belonging to α-Proteobacteria significantly decreased, while the relative abundances of Streptomycetaceae and Geodermatophilaceae belonging to Actinobacteria increased. The results of the metagenomic analysis showed that the gene abundances of carbohydrate metabolism and carbohydrate-activity enzyme (GH and CBM) significantly decreased with the increase of sand deposition amount. The changes in soil microbial community structure and carbon metabolism decreased soil carbon emissions and carbon cycling in aeolian deposition farmland, which may be the essential reasons for land degradation in aeolian deposition farmland.

Population Pressure and Changing Land Use Land Cover in Morigaon District, Assam, India - A Geospatial Analysis

Objective: This study intends to prioritize the underlying mechanisms underpinning the spatial-temporal variations in Land Use and Land Cover (LULC) change in the Morigaon district, located in the middle part of Brahmaputra valley of Assam, India covering an area of 1498 km2.At the same time, this study focuses on the impact of population pressure on changing LULC in the study area. Methods: This research adopted geospatial approach for analysing land use land cover change in the study area. Satellite images from the years 1992 to 2022 have been utilized to identify the land transformation. The analysis of the land transformation has taken into account the five main LULC classifications of agriculture, forest, water bodies, built-up lands, and sand deposits. It has been discovered that the LULC classes identified in this study, which comprise both natural and anthropogenic elements, have a very strong link with the population growth in the Morigaon district. To show the relationship between population expansion and LULC indicators Pearson correlation method is used. Findings: Water bodies, forests and agriculture have significantly decreased by 0.13%, 4.66% and 1.64% respectively due to substantial anthropogenic activity during the past 30 years. In contrast, sand deposits and built-up lands increased by 3.13% and 3.30%. To show the relationship between population expansion and LULC indicators Pearson correlation method is used. Very significant relationships have been found between population and built-up lands with rho value 0.95. The relationship between population with agriculture, forest, water bodies and sand deposits have been seen with rho value -0.51, -0.89, -0.64 and 0.97 respectively. The loss of the geographic extent of natural classes like water bodies, forests, signifies that the geometrical progression in the human population has greatly amplified anthropogenic activities. Novelty: The novelty lies in adopting geospatial techniques that would certainly enhance land resource conservation. Environmental concerns have been increasing due to significant land surface change, which is predominantly the result of human-induced activities. In the studied area, socioeconomic, demographic, and proximity factors have a significant impact on the LULC change processes. The findings can be utilized to forecast potential LULC scenarios and offer direction for land management strategy. Keywords: LULC, Satellite Images, Anthropogenic, Pearson Correlation, Proximity Factor

Aeolian sand challenges in desert rail infrastructures, overview of Iran’s experience and advancement

The processes of wind erosion and the movement of dunes have destructive effects on the transportation infrastructure with an emphasis on railway lines. Consequently, the construction and maintenance costs of desert railways will increase under the influence of sand sediment movement. In severe conditions, passing trains can also be affected, compromising their safety and comfort. However, the passage of railway infrastructures through desert areas prone to aeolian sand is inevitable. This research discusses the main challenges encountered by railways in Iran's deserts, including two ultimate and serviceability limit states that affect civil works, track superstructure, rolling stock, and signaling systems. It also examines the mitigating measures implemented in Iran based on the source, transport, or deposition areas of sand dunes. Moreover, the performance of Iran's desert railways has been classified based on wind sand activities. According to the distribution map of Iran's railway network, sand accumulation in the main desert lines has been classified into four levels: very severe, severe, moderate, and low. The research also presents the experience of implementing and monitoring the hump slab track system, which has proven to be a sustainable solution for addressing the dune problem with suitable efficiency over a period of six months.

Research and improvement of the design of a sedimentation tank for hydropower and irrigation

The study is devoted to the analysis and optimisation of the design of the sedimentation tank to increase the efficiency of settling solid particles in hydropower and irrigation systems. Both experimental and numerical methods were used to analyse and optimise the design of sedimentation tanks to increase their efficiency in hydropower and irrigation systems. The study examined and analysed various types of sedimentation tanks according to design schemes, flow regime, deposition dynamics and sediment flushing methods, and also considered recommended improvements for hydropower and irrigation of various types of sedimentation tanks. During the study, it was revealed that optimising the geometry of the sedimentation tank significantly increases the efficiency of solid particle deposition. Experimental data have shown that changing the angle of inclination of the walls and increasing the area of the bottom of the sedimentation tank contribute to improving the deposition of silt and sand. It has also been found that the use of special turbulent inserts reduces the particle deposition time and improves the quality of treated water. Hydraulic flow modelling has confirmed that a more uniform velocity distribution in the sedimentation tank reduces turbulence and promotes more efficient particle deposition. The introduction of automated systems for monitoring and controlling the cleaning process has made it possible to increase the reliability and stability of the sedimentation tank. As a result, it was proved that the proposed design and technological changes can significantly increase the efficiency and durability of sedimentation tanks in hydropower and irrigation. The study provides practical recommendations for improving the design of sedimentation tanks, which helps to increase their efficiency and reliability in hydropower and irrigation, thereby improving water management

Seeking sand origins on Mars: Towards testing the volcaniclastic hypothesis globally

Aeolian processes are a dominant cause of Martian surface modification today. Sand is pervasive, even while the contemporary transport of sand at high-threshold wind speeds implies sand breakdown. Thus, detecting the origin(s) of sand on Mars is an important open question in Mars science. One long-standing hypothesis for an origin of Martian sand is as volcaniclastic sediments, either epiclastic (from the breakdown of effusive volcanic rock) or pyroclastic (from explosive sedimentation). Recent analyses identified the most likely pyroclastic unit on Mars, the Medusae Fossae Formation (MFF) – mapped as the Hesperian and Amazonian-Hesperian transitional units (Tanaka et al., 2014) – as an origin of Martian sand, a genesis consistent with inferences from other work. On these bases, we continued in this work to test for a volcaniclastic origin of Martian sand elsewhere on Mars. We inspected the seven units from the global geologic map of Mars interpreted as possibly/partially volcaniclastic and six geographic terrains ascribed as likely volcanogenic in a more recent analysis. Of these units and geographic terrains, potential sand sources (PSSs) were detected only within two locales: 1) the remaining (central and eastern) extent of the MFF, and 2) Arabia Terra. Arabia Terra shows more numerous PSS, commonly characterized as having proximal dune fields. The explosive volcanic history of the region points towards a pyroclastic origin, though the geologic complexity of the region suggests complexity in the provenance of Arabia Terra PSSs. In contrast to PSS identifications in the western MFF, PSSs in the central and eastern MFF were clustered along the contact of the MFF with lava plains, indicating a potential epiclastic sand origin. Thus, these results indicate both pyroclastic and potentially epiclastic origins for sand on Mars. However, these sand origins as detected by this work are confined to limited locales and (for the MFF) in the amount of sand generated. To further evaluate the amount of sand production in these two study regions from volcanogenic processes, spectroscopic analysis of PSSs in comparison with sand deposits would be a means to test first whether the PSSs were indeed generating sand and secondly if that sand were of volcanic origin. Potential sand flux modeling would be a means to establish the source location(s) of the sand. The origin(s) of the pervasive sand on Mars remain(s) to be better understood, for which the work presented here provides a foundation.

A combined tectono-climatic control on Holocene sedimentation in Ladakh Himalaya, India: Clues from Anisotropy of Magnetic Susceptibility (AMS) of lake sediments

Anisotropy of Magnetic Susceptibility (AMS) data from a ∼27.8 m thick soft sedimentary mud sequence (∼10.5–3.25 k yrs) from the Spituk Palaeolake Sequence (SPSS) of Holocene age, located in the northern bank of the Indus River in the Leh-Ladakh Himalaya, show effects of tectonic versus climate dynamics responsible for the Himalayan sedimentation. The sedimentary sequence, consisting of alternating of aeolian sand and glacio-fluvial mud flow deposits, has been subdivided into an older Last Glacier Phase I (LGP 1) and a younger Last Glacier Phase II (LGP 2), where the termination of each phase is marked by the occurrence of gravel beds of thickness ≤1 m, which were deposited due to glacial melting. The present AMS data along with previously published information on sedimentology confirm that the mudflow deposits of the LGP 1 and LGP 2 phases were deposited in a lacustrine environment under glacio-fluvial conditions. However, a weak fluvial flow towards NW and NE could have existed for the LGP 1 and LGP 2, respectively. The glacial beds terminating LGP 1 and LGP 2 appear to have formed by climatic warming and tectonic activity, respectively. Hence, the Holocene Himalayan sedimentation was influenced by both climatic and tectonic activities. However, the thickness of the gravel bed (∼0.8 m) terminating LGP 2 occupies only ∼ 2.8 vol % of the total studied thickness ∼28 m, of the SPSS in the present study, which indicated a lesser control of tectonism in the growth of the Himalaya in and around the study area.

Late Pleistocene depositional processes of coastal aeolian deposits and their relationship with environment change on the Changxing Island of Liaodong Peninsula, northeastern China

Coastal aeolian deposits are product of the coupling between aerodynamics and coastal hydrodynamics, which is of great significance for reconstructing aeolian activities and the coastal environmental change. Here, we investigated the coastal aeolian deposits on Changxing Island, northeastern China, using geochemistry and microscopy of the minerals together with the published sedimentological data. The results showed that aeolian deposits are mainly derived from beach sands reworked by wind. Previously published Optically Stimulated Luminescence (OSL) dating results show that the deposition ages of the aeolian deposits are 41 ka, 49 ka, and 67 ka, respectively. The sedimentologic and geochemistry of aeolian deposits are sensitive to climate change. Notably, the micromorphology structure of the surface of quartz sand particles reveals the process of the coastal environment evolution. ∼41 ka, the surface of the grains is characterized by significant subaqueous environments, showing subangular with high relief, large conchoidal fracture, and V-shaped pits. These features correspond to the early sub-interstadial stage of MIS3, characterized by a warm and humid climate and sea level highstand. Under the relative sea level rise, the high rate of sand supply produced by coastal erosion contribute to aeolian deposit formation. In contrast, at 49 ka and 67 ka, the quartz grain exhibits typical aeolian environment features that exhibits subrounded with low relief, upturned plates, and dish-shaped pits, which respond to glacial periods of cold and windy conditions and sea level lowstand. The exposure of abundant sandy material, coupled with lower vegetation cover and strong East Asian winter monsoon (EAWM) contribute to higher sediment availability and sand accumulation. We therefore propose that sediment supply control by sea-level change is the primary reason for coastal aeolian sand deposition under different climatic backgrounds.

Dry matter concentration, particle size distribution and sand presence in faeces from horses with and without colic

A study comprising 74 colic and 74 control horses admitted to an animal hospital was performed. Faecal samples were collected and analysed for dry matter concentration, particle size distribution using wet-sieving, and sand presence through a sand sedimentation test. Data on horse breed, age, gender and basic feeding variables was collected and analysed using χ2-tests. Faecal dry matter concentration, particle size distribution and sand score was compared between colic and non-colic horses, and between horses with different colic types, using one-way ANOVA. Results showed that colic and non-colic horse groups were similar in breed, age, gender and basic feeding variables. Faecal dry matter concentration, particle size distribution and sand score were similar among colic and non-colic horses. Horses diagnosed with “unknown colic cause” had higher proportion of particles >0.5 <1.0 mm size compared to horses with colic due to impactions in caecum or colon, torsion or gas accumulation (P<0.05), but this difference was very small and most likely not of biological importance. Faecal dry matter concentration and sand score were similar among horses with different types of colic. Increased knowledge of the composition of particles of different size in equine faeces may enhance our understanding of digesta passage rate in colic and non-colic horses, which is needed to develop preventative measures of certain types of colic.

Feature-based maximum entropy for geophysical properties of the seabeda).

The coherent recombination of a direct and seabed reflected path is sensitive to the geophysical properties of the seabed. The concept of feature-based inversion is used in the analysis of acoustic data collected on a vertical line array (VLA) on the New England continental shelf break in about 200 m of water. The analysis approach for the measurements is based on a ray approach in which a direct and bottom reflected path is recombined, resulting in constructive and destructive interference of the acoustic amplitudes with frequency. The acoustic features have the form of prominent nulls of the measured received levels as a function of frequency as a broadband (500-4500 Hz) source passes the closest point of approach to the VLA. The viscous grain shearing (VGS) model is employed to parameterize a two-layer seabed model. The most likely seabed is a sand sediment with a porosity of about 0.42. There is a possibility of a thin (less than 0.5 m) surface layer having a slightly higher porosity between 0.45 and 0.50. Using the estimates for the VGS parameters inferred from the short-range frequency features, a normal mode model is used to predict the received acoustic levels over larger range scales.

Assessment of Liquefaction Potential by Comparing Semi-Empirical Methods Based on the CPT Test

Abstract Liquefaction is a dangerous and temporary phenomenon whereby water-saturated soil loses all or part of its strength. Undrained conditions associated with cyclic loading increase water pressure in soil pores, thereby reducing effective stress. The aim of this study is, on the one hand, to report on the phenomenon of liquefaction of sand, clay and silt deposits in more or less water-saturated zones in the section located at the heart of the central alluvial plain of the Oued Sebou in the mio-plioquaternary Gharb basin and, on the other hand, to study the ability of semi-empirical methods to correctly assess liquefaction potential, while specifying the most appropriate method for the area studied. The study is based on data from experimental results of static penetrometer tests between the Mnasra - Ouelad Salama zone in the Oued Sebou alluvial plain of Morocco's mio-plio-quaternary Gharb basin, made up of sandy, sandy-clay, sandy-silt and silty-sandy formations, which are more sensitive to liquefaction due to their saturation and grain size. We present and discuss the results of Olsen's method, Juang's method and Robertson's method, which are based on the CPT static penetrometer test, as well as looking at the impact of dynamic loading and soil structure on liquefaction probability index values.

Low-Grade Ilmenite Leaching Kinetics Using Hydrochloric Acid: RSM and SCM Approaches

Minerals containing TiO2 are common in Indonesia, such as ilmenite in iron sand deposits scattered along the country's coasts. Ilmenite is an important source of titanium. One method for making TiO2 from ilmenite is by solubilizing both the Fe and Ti elements in HCl and then immediately hydrolyze the Ti. The leaching of low-grade ilmenite (ground to 0.177-0.149 mm) is studied kinetically by HCl in a stirred reactor. The research was conducted using the caustic fusion method followed by HCl leaching. The leaching reaction kinetics at the optimum conditions are analyzed using response surface methodology (RSM) with a second-order polynomial equation model and SSE with the shrinking core model (SCM). The results showed that HCl concentration and leaching time were directly proportional to the leached titanium concentration. In contrast, the leaching temperature was inversely proportional. The optimum operating conditions were obtained at a temperature of 30 °C, 9 M HCl, and 120 min of leaching time. The shrinking core model is a better representation of the kinetics than RSM with a second-order polynomial equation model. Based on SCM, the rate of the leaching reaction of titanium from low-grade ilmenite is controlled by diffusion through the ash layer.

Reservoir Mud Releasing May Suboptimize Fluvial Sand Supply to Coastal Sediment Budget: Modeling the Impact of Shihmen Reservoir Case on Tamsui River Estuary

AbstractRegular release of sediment from reservoir has been increasingly adopted as a strategy for sustainable management. Here, we use a process‐based morphodynamic model to simulate the estuarine sediment dynamics impacted by turbidity current venting implemented by the Shihmen Reservoir during three typhoon events in 2008. Upon validation with the post‐event bathymetries, the model hindcasts reveal that mud releasing can be effective in mitigating reservoir siltation, yet may be a suboptimal strategy for alleviating coastal sediment deficit. A vast majority of the released muds were delivered through the estuary and exported to offshore by flood advection, wave dispersion, and tidal flushing. The flood‐driven sands, sourced mainly from downstream tributaries, were instead the major contributor to coastal sediment budget. However, mud mantling (covering and immobilizing sand deposits by the reservoir‐released muds) reduced sand availability and thus sand delivery to the coast. For the present case, 25% of the released muds were deposited along the way, presence of these mud covers reduced sand delivery by 15%, compared to a hypothetical scenario of clear‐water flood releases. The relative sand transport deficit is found to increase linearly with the degree of bed mud saturation, 1–D/R, with D/R the ratio of single‐event mud deposit to release. Given broad relevance to global reservoirs encountering the problems of siltation and coastal sediment deficit, our findings highlight that sustainable management needs to look beyond just a bulk amount of sediment, but it is critical to consider how different sediment fractions are interacting and impacted by human activities.

An integrated framework for sand handling in wellbore and surface facilities

Sand production affects over 70% of the oil and gas wells in the world. At higher production rates, the collision of the produced sand particles on the pipelines and fittings at an increased speed leads to material erosion. Over time, as the well's production rate decreases, sand deposition occurs in the wellbore when the fluid velocity drops below a threshold velocity for sand transport. Erosion can lead to equipment damage, and sand deposition can cause blockage. The oil and gas industries spend millions of dollars to control sand production. Such control techniques reduce production rates, thereby reducing cash flow. Alternatively, the co-production of sand and oil can increase the production rate and provide economic benefits if the risk and extent of sand production problems are minimized. Sand management techniques can be employed to determine the operating conditions under which production is high while the risks due to sand production problems are minimal. We developed a framework that integrates models of sand transport, erosion rate, and sand settling characteristics to tackle three major problems related to sand production: sand deposition in wellbores, erosional damage of pipelines and fittings, and sand accumulation in the surface facilities. This framework, SEAD (Sand Erosion, Accumulation, and Deposition), is implemented in a simulation environment to model sand production problems using the fluid properties from a wellbore simulation and user-defined solid properties. We employed the framework to study the effects of varying solid, fluid, and flow properties for different pipe orientations, fittings, and surface facilities as case studies. The results confirm that the risk of sand deposition is high for flow in horizontal pipes, and the erosion rate is high for the fittings such as tee, elbow, and choke. The framework was used to determine the operability range of a hypothetical wellbore to minimize sand deposition, erosion, and accumulation. The hypothetical wellbore produces fluid containing 10.5 m3/h of oil, 15 m3/h of water, and 4.5 m3/h of gas at 75 °C and 200 bar, and carrying 0.01 vol% sand of size 150 μm. Maintaining the production rate of the wellbore between 28 m3/h and 64 m3/h ensures at least 90% sand transport probability (STP) and keeps the erosion rate below 0.1 mm/year. It also keeps the sand accumulation in the separator over a week less than 5% of the separator height, which can be removed with weekly clean-ups.

OSL-based chronology of the cold-climate aeolian sand dunes, Moravian Sahara, lower Morava Basin, Czechia

The Moravian Sahara dune field located in southeastern Czechia represents a unique aeolian system preserving the Late Glacial environment. Until now, the main focus has been concentrated on defining its multigenerational development and examining the environmental factors controlling its formation. However, current studies have failed to bring robust chronologies, so environmental and temporal comparisons with the main aeolian phases in Europe could not be made. Here, we present a study combining chronological and environmental interpretations. To do so, four boreholes were drilled to obtain the samples for optically stimulated luminescence, quartz grain morphoscopy and sediment maturity estimation. The results show that the Moravian Sahara dune field developed episodically between the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) and Younger Dryas, with the peak occurring during the Oldest Dryas. Quartz grain analysis revealed that the phases of wind-blown sand deposition were short and that the dune sediments had three different sources. Furthermore, it appears that the katabatic winds propagated to the study area during the LGM and Late Pleniglacial and were replaced by westerlies since the Oldest Dryas. Finally, the chronology of aeolian activity in the study area shows that Moravian Sahara dune field development was antecedent to the European Sand Belt and shares more similarities with the landforms in the Carpathian Basin located further south.

Local scour downstream of type-A trapezoidal stepped piano key weir in sand and gravel sediments

ABSTRACT This study examines the scouring effect downstream of a type-A trapezoidal stepped Piano key weir using experimental methods. The experiments were performed on weirs, both with and without steps at the outlet keys, while considering various discharge rates, tailwater depths, and bed material sizes. The study scrutinized three unique weir configurations, each with different dimensions and step counts at the outlet keys: the first, second, and third weirs had 5, 10, and 15 steps respectively. The findings indicate that the maximum scour depths in the Piano key weirs with 5, 10, and 15 steps were, on average, 17.5%, 31%, and 19% less than those in the non-stepped weir. It was also noted that an increase in discharge and a decrease in tailwater depth and bed material size led to an increase in the maximum scour depth. Moreover, an increase in the number of steps and a decrease in the size of the bed materials resulted in a reduction in sediment ridge height. The analysis suggests that the average scour index values in the 10-stepped weir were about 21% lower compared to the non-stepped weir. These insights contribute to the design and optimization of hydraulic structures to effectively mitigate scouring effects.

Sedimentologic characteristics and correlations of coastal plain sand and alluvium deposits within Lagos environs southwestern Nigeria

Sedimentologic characteristics and correlations of coastal plain sand and alluvium deposits within Lagos environs southwestern Nigeria

Assessing sand sedimentation in drilling slurry using particle methods for ground excavation management

In the construction of cast-in-place concrete piles, residual sand portions in the drilling slurry that are not completely removed can significantly influence the strength and characteristics of the concrete piles. Understanding the sedimentation behavior of these sand portions during concrete placement is crucial to ensure pile quality. However, directly observing this process in real-time at construction sites is challenging, making it difficult to accurately assess the impact of the sand portions. When predicting the sedimentation of sand particles in drilling slurry, the conventionally used Stokes' equation can only express one-dimensional motion of a single particle size, but to accurately capture the real phenomenon, three-dimensional behavior must be considered. In this study, a numerical simulation method based on the particle method (MPS method) was used to visually evaluate the sedimentation process of sand in the drilling slurry. By modeling the drilling slurry and sand particles using the MPS method, the complex three-dimensional settling behavior of sand particles in the drilling slurry at both laboratory and full scales was successfully represented, demonstrating the effectiveness of this modeling approach. The MPS method allows for the analytical visualization of the three-dimensional sedimentation behavior, enabling real-time observation and quantitative evaluation of the sand sedimentation process. Using this method, the temporal evolution of the settling process of sand components in the drilling slurry can be tracked, providing valuable insights into factors that influence the quality of concrete piles. The results of this study demonstrate the potential of the MPS method for visually evaluating the settling behavior of sand components in drilling slurry. This approach offers a more accurate and reliable method for assessing the impact of residual sand on the strength and characteristics of cast-in-place concrete piles. By enhancing the understanding of this process, more effective foundation techniques can be developed to improve the safety and stability of structures built on soft ground, particularly in earthquake-prone regions where fine particles such as clay and silt pose additional challenges to construction practices.

Windblown sand around obstacles - simulation and validation of deposition patterns

Sand dunes are iconic landmarks of deserts, but can also put human infrastructures at risk, for instance by forming near buildings or roads. We present a simulator of sand erosion and deposition to predict how dunes form around and behind obstacles under wind. Inspired by both computer graphics and geo-sciences, our algorithm couples a fast wind flow simulation with physical laws of sand saltation and avalanching, which suffices to reproduce characteristic patterns of sand deposition. In particular, we validate our approach via a qualitative comparison of the erosion and deposition patterns produced by our simulator against real-world patterns measured by prior work under controlled conditions.

Tracing the Late Quaternary coastal evolution of Central Kerala, India, around the lost ancient port Muziris using multi-proxy study of the sedimentary archives

The Central Kerala coast in Southwest India serves as a valuable natural archive for studies of the Late Quaternary coastal evolution, palaeoclimate, and maritime trades. The coast is an archeologically and culturally significant region in South India, located in the mouth of the longest river in Kerala, the Periyar River. The riverbank of the Periyar at its mouth is believed to host the ancient port Muziris, whose remnants are found in the areas around where the Periyar River joins the Arabian Sea. Sea level oscillations and climate variabilities in the past have played a pivotal role in the destruction of the Muziris port. Recent excavations unearthed many artifacts from nearby areas of the river confluence; however, the exact location of the port remains unresolved. The present study is an attempt to trace out the coastal evolutionary processes and palaeoclimatic conditions that prevailed in the area during the Late Quaternary period using three drilled cores retrieved from this stretch of the coastal lands. A multi-proxy approach, combining geochemical, mineralogical, palynological, and geochronological tools was used in the study. The Holocene deposit in the study area is composed mainly of sand and clay-dominant sediments that fall within an age range of 1.1–8.1 cal kyr BP, whereas the underlying sedimentary sequence dates to a maximum of 31.5–37.9 cal kyr BP. The inorganic and organic elemental compositions, together with the textural and palynological attributes, indicate that Holocene sedimentation occurred here under fluctuating environmental conditions with significant changes in climate and sea level positions. The upper part of this section bears the signature of the humid depositional environment that prevailed during the Late Holocene when sand-dominated sediments were deposited and brought in under the influence of longshore drift. The sediments from the lower part of the section carry the signature of the Holocene transgression when deposition took place under submerged conditions with considerable marine influence but receiving significant terrestrial inputs. The study highlights the location of the historically significant lost ancient port of Muziris at Kodungallur near the mouth of the Periyar River. A three-fold evolutionary model proposed for the coastal segment revealed that the location of the Muziris port was part of the Periyar River near Kodungallur, as mentioned by the historians, and the settlement near Pattanam may be considered a satellite township of the ancient Muziris port.

Sand Supply Affects Wind Erosion Efficiency and Sand Transport on Sand-Cemented Body Mulch Bed

Sand-cemented bodies (SCBs) are naturally distributed in some interdune corridors in the central Taklimakan Desert, northwest China. In this study, field-collected SCB particles were used as the experimental material, and wind tunnel experiments were conducted with different sand supplies, wind velocities, and SCB coverages to evaluate SCB wind erosion efficiency and vertical mass flux. The results showed that wind erosion efficiency decreased as SCB coverage increased. When the SCB coverage was above 40%, sand deposition processes occurred only under saturated sand flow, while sand transport remained unaffected by increases in SCB coverage under unsaturated sand flow. Under saturated flow, the highest concentrations of transported sand were found at 0–6 cm above the surface, and the main sand bed process was deposition. The sand bed process changed from aeolian erosion to deposition with increasing SCB coverage and tended to remain stable until the SCB coverage exceeded 40%. By contrast, under unsaturated sand flow, the sand bed process was primarily aeolian erosion, and the highest concentrations of transported sand were found at 0–4 cm above the surface. At high SCB coverage levels (more than 40%), a general balance between aeolian erosion and deposition processes was reached. In summary, increasing SCB coverage had a significant impact on surface wind erosion processes. Thus, SCBs can be used as a novel sand retention material.