Desertification and Aeolian Sediment Transport in India

Climates of India

-Area of Rajasthan is predominantly desert or an arid climate.

-Climate is heavily influenced by monsoon season.

-32% of land facing threat of desertification

-Upward eddie wind currents of greater than 3km/h can lift silt and very fine sand up to 4km

Causes of Desertification

The Himalayan Water Grab

The Source

● Half world’s population dependent● Historical land and border disputes● Dynamic and evolving systems

o Hydrologically and o Politically

● Seasonal fluctuations and vulnerabilities

Observer

Complexities of Sediment Load

● Limited Knowledge● Climatic evolution● Anthropogenic effects ● Intrabasin and regional

variability● Source/sink dynamics

Gangetic river system2,390tons/km2 annually

Tropical river system216tons/km2 annually

Sediment delivery influenced primarily by climatic conditions

Sediment delivery influenced by climate and anthropogenic factors

Heavily decreased sediment loads

Erosion/deposition equilibrium

Aggrading environmentDecreased flow

“Hungry water”

High erosion rate

Subsidence from oil extraction

Decreasing sediment loads

Decreasing deltaic aggradation

Rising sea level