Role of erosion processes on the morphogenesis of a semiarid badland area. Bardenas Reales (NE Spain)

Updating badlands research

Auteur(s) et Affiliation(s)



Description :
Bardenas Reales badlands are located in the middle-western sector of the Ebro Depression, northern Spain. Several erosion processes operate in the Bardenas Reales : rilling, gullying, piping and mass movements. The relative role played by these processes on the morphogenesis is largely controlled by physico-chemical properties of the materials and climatic conditions. Precipitation distribution over the year controls the development of mass movements, whereas regolith physical–chemical properties favor piping, gullying and rilling during the rainfall maxima. Soil erodibility in this area is clearly controlled by the sodium content and the presence of swelling clays. These factors determine the distribution and appearance of piping processes. Cracking in Holocene clay deposits, devoid of swelling clays, is related to high sodium content that confers a dispersive character. Clay dispersion causes loss of cohesion favoring piping.


Type de document :
Article de monographie

Source :
Catena (Giessen), issn : 0341-8162, 2013, vol. 106, p. 83-92, nombre de pages : 10, Références bibliographiques : 45 ref.

Date :
2013

Editeur :
Pays édition : Allemagne, Cremlingen-Destedt, Catena