Methods for Measuring Erosion Rate of Rock: An Overview

  • Wang Xingshan ,
  • Zhang Jie ,
  • Qin Zhong
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  • 1.School of Geographic and Oceanographic Sciences, Nanjing University,Nanjing210093, China;
    2.School of Culture Industry and Tourism Management,Sanjiang University,Nanjing210012, China;
    3. College of Environment and Resources Engineering, Guizhou University, Guiyang550003, China

Received date: 2012-10-21

  Revised date: 2013-01-28

  Online published: 2013-04-10

Abstract

This paper discussed several methods for measuring erosion rate of rock which were applied widely. The author sorted these methods to two type: The first is mass measurements, including formula calculating methods, Hydrochemical measurements for catchment area,the method of rock tablets; the other is geometrical measurements, such as Micro-Erosion Meter(MEM),contrasting measurement and radionuclide methods. Despite many   revised and developed formula calculating methods based on the most famous—Cobel equation, they can only estimate the maximal regional erosion theoretically, which are easy to apply. Hydrochemical measurements for catchment area can obtain a factual data, but they are less than total erosion  as they only calculate the dissolved mass. The erosion data obtained by these two kinds of methods are regional, which are appropriate to be applied to regional research and country supervising. The other four(the method of rock tablets, micro-erosion meter, contrasting measurement and Radionuclide methods)can obtain erosion rate of individual position. It is necessary to investigate sufficient data if we apply these four kinds of methods to regional research, which  are appropriate to be applied to small scale georesearch. The method of rock tablets is preferred for erosion mechanism research  because many effect factors can be controlled accurately by researchers  during all the process. The MEM method can obtain erosion heights of idiographic position which are improved by many researchers so as to be applied to various ares  even underwater. Therefore, it is appropriate to be applied to culture relic protection and engineering application. Contrasting measurement needs  the distinct erosion term, and it is only applied to special area, although the method is easy. Along with the progress of relative instruments, the data obtained by radionuclide methods become more and more accurate, but it is the most luxurious method due to the high cost and advanced instruments. At the end of this paper, the authors summarize the geographical locations of  researchers and sites on erosion rate measurements: at the early stage, the researchers are mainly from Europe(UK, Med countries),the sites focus on the karst area, the researchers are mainly from Oceania(Australia, New Zealand)recently, and more and more sites are located in marine area. The authors also give the prospect of erosion rate measuring research, the MEM methods and radionuclide methods(when-less expensive) are highly advised.

Cite this article

Wang Xingshan , Zhang Jie , Qin Zhong . Methods for Measuring Erosion Rate of Rock: An Overview[J]. Advances in Earth Science, 2013 , 28(4) : 447 -454 . DOI: 10.11867/j.issn.1001-8166.2013.04.0447

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