Source of Eolian Facies using Geomorphological and Sedimen Tological Methods (Case Study: Ab-Barik Watershed of Bam in Kerman)

Abstract

The Ab-Barik watershed in Bam is a part of Lut desert basin. It is like all other desert areas which has erosion problems caused by wind erosion, sand and soil storms. The result of these sand storms appears as continuous and isolated sand hills. In this paper it was attempted to identify direction and source of harvest points by using sedimentological methods. This was accomplished by step by step sand processed method. At the first step the main direction of harvest areas was determined by some studies such as collecting public information, the study of general morphology and measuring sand hill, comparison of aerial photos in different periods and analysis of region winds. At the second step the origin of sand areas was recognized by investigations such as the study of geomorphological facies of lands of harvest regions with emphasis on morphodynamic wind, granulation of sand hills elements and surface soil of erosionic facies plots at harvest lands, study of morphoscopy of forming particles of samples and determination of indices including central diameter, roundness, sorting and mineralogy of samples. The results revealed that the main source of sands is clay pan facies and farm lands, especially waste lands. Also, the main direction of harvest areas displacement is from south, southwest to north, and northeast. Application of results of this study can modify the used management methods, controlling and confronting with the problem of wind erosion and sand and soil storms.

Keywords

• sedimentology
• source of erosion
• central diameter
• roundness
• sorting.