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2009 | Buch

Aeolian Sand and Sand Dunes

verfasst von: Kenneth Pye, Haim Tsoar

Verlag: Springer Berlin Heidelberg

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Über dieses Buch

It is more than half a century since the publication of R. A. Bagnold’s classic book The physics of blown sand and desert dunes, and it is a tribute to the quality of Bagnold’s work that many of the fundamental principles which he developed - main valid today. His book continues to be essential reading for any serious s- dent of aeolian processes. However, the past two decades have seen an explosion in the scale of research dealing with aeolian transport processes, sediments, and landforms. Some of this work has been summarized in review papers and edited conference proceedings, but this book provides the rst attempt to review the whole eld of aeolian sand research. Inevitably, it has not been possible to cover all - pects in equal depth, and the balance of included material naturally re ects the - thors’ own interests to a signi cant degree. However, our aim has been to provide as broad a perspective as possible, and to provide an entry point to an extensive mul- disciplinary scienti c literature, some of which has not been given the attention it deserves in earlier textbooks and review papers. Many examples are drawn from existing published work, but the book also makes extensive use of our own research in the Middle East, Australia, Europe, and North America. The book has been written principally for use by advanced undergraduates, po- graduates, and more senior research workers in geomorphology and sedimentology.

Inhaltsverzeichnis

Frontmatter
1. The Nature and Importance of Aeolian Sand Research
Abstract
This chapter defines the nature of aeolian processes, landforms and sediments, discusses the linkages between aeolian sand dune research and a range of scientific disciplines, and summarises some of the most important previous studies in the field. Suggestions are also made regarding future research requirements.
Kenneth Pye, Haim Tsoar
2. The Nature of Airflow
Abstract
The formation of aeolian bedforms is fundamentally dependent on the nature of airflow. This chapter deals with the physical properties of air, the nature and types of air motion at global, regional and local scales, the physical forces which operate in the atmospheric boundary layer, and the interactions between wind and surface terrain.
Kenneth Pye, Haim Tsoar
3. Characteristics of Windblown Sediments
Abstract
Following an introductory discussion of concepts relating to sediment grain size, shape and surface texture, this chapter provides a summary of the nature of grain size variations in windblown sediments at spatial scales ranging from individual dunes to entire sand seas. Variations in grain shape, surface texture, porosity and permeability in aeolian sediments are reviewed, and consideration given to the sources and mineral composition of aeolian sands.
Kenneth Pye, Haim Tsoar
4. Mechanics of Aeolian Sand Transport
Abstract
This chapter discusses the forces responsible for the initiation of sand movement by wind, including the concepts of fluid threshold and impact threshold, different aeolian transport modes (creep, saltation and suspension), various environmental factors which influence the rate of transport, and processes involved in windblown sand deposition.
Kenneth Pye, Haim Tsoar
5. The Formation of Sand Seas and Dune Fields
Abstract
This chapter defines and describes the global distribution of sand seas and large dunefields. Factors controlling their distribution and size are discussed, including climate, topography, the distribution of large sand sources, and regional-scale sand transport pathways. The response of sand seas and dunefields to changes in climate and sea level is also discussed.
Kenneth Pye, Haim Tsoar
6. Aeolian Bed Forms
Abstract
Aeolian bedforms range in size from small-scale (ripples), through medium-scale (dunes) to large-scale (megadunes or draa). This chapter describes the physical characteristics and development of each of these bedform types, including their relationship to airflow and sand transport at different spatial and temporal scales. The effect of vegetation on dune morphology and rate of movement is considered, and the factors which control the broad-scale morphology of aeolian sand accumulations are reviewed.
Kenneth Pye, Haim Tsoar
7. Internal Sedimentary Structures of Aeolian Sand Deposits
Abstract
This chapter reviews the nature and development of the main sedimentary structures found in each major type of dune and in sand sheets. Primary internal sedimentary structures are closely related to the morphology of the bedforms and to the processes responsible for sand transport and deposition. These include ripple migration, grain flow on steeper dune slopes and grainfall in areas between dune crests. Secondary structures also result from processes such as slumping and growth of ice masses.
Kenneth Pye, Haim Tsoar
8. Post-Depositional Modification of Dune Sands
Abstract
The primary sedimentological features of aeolian sand bodies are frequently modified after deposition by a range of processes which include surface denudation, compaction, addition of airborne dust, weathering, soil development and cementation by carbonates, salts, iron oxides and organic matter. This chapter reviews the factors which control these changes and the nature of the resulting sediments.
Kenneth Pye, Haim Tsoar
9. Management and Human Use of Sand Dune Environments
Abstract
The degree of surface stabilization in sand dune environments is important from a variety or perspectives, including the hazard posed by blowing sand and mobile dunes. Degree of dune mobility reflects a balance between active sand transport, vegetation growth, and the development of surface crusts. This chapter reviews the thermal properties and moisture regime of aeolian sand, controls on the growth of vegetation and surface crusts, and the methods available to control blowing sand in desert and coastal environments. The final section discusses some of the main human uses of dune areas for agriculture, recreation, sand mining, water supply and as sea defences.
Kenneth Pye, Haim Tsoar
10. Aeolian Research Techniques
Abstract
This chapter provides a brief review of some of the many approaches which can be used to study aeolian processes, sediments and landforms, including field and laboratory wind tunnel studies, field monitoring of wind speeds, sand fluxes and dune migration, sand tracer techniques, sediment trend analysis, remote sensing, and sediment dating.
Kenneth Pye, Haim Tsoar
Backmatter
Metadaten
Titel
Aeolian Sand and Sand Dunes
verfasst von
Kenneth Pye
Haim Tsoar
Copyright-Jahr
2009
Verlag
Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Electronic ISBN
978-3-540-85910-9
Print ISBN
978-3-540-85909-3
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-540-85910-9