Research Progress on the Coupling Mechanism between Watershed Soil Erosion and Water Quality Evolution

DOI: https://doi.org/10.62517/jcte.202606304

Author(s)

Luyou Zhao1, Qingping Guo2

Affiliation(s)

1Industry Technology Center for Green and Intelligent Construction of Gansu Province, School of Civil Engineering, Lanzhou Institute of Technology, Lanzhou, Gansu, China 2Lanzhou Institute of Technology, Lanzhou, Gansu, China

Abstract

The interplay between soil erosion dynamics and water quality degradation is a core scientific issue in watershed environmental management and ecological conservation. This paper systematically reviews the fundamental theories of hillslope runoff sediment transport capacity and soil detachment process dynamics, elucidates the watershed erosion-water quality coupling mechanism from two dimensions of sediment-nutrient coupled transport and multi-scale coupling simulation, summarizes the regulatory pathways governing land use and the multiple effects of "erosion reduction, sediment interception and pollutant purification" achieved by soil and water conservation measures, and focuses on the regional characteristics of arid and semi-arid areas on the Loess Plateau (represented by the Zuli River Basin) to analyze deficiencies of existing research and future directions. Studies show that sediment is the primary carrier of pollutant migration, and its transport process is comprehensively controlled by runoff hydrodynamics, soil properties and near-surface characteristics; optimization of land use structure can synergistically regulate water quality by altering erosion dynamics and transport pathways; soil and water conservation measures are critical means for erosion control and water quality improvement. To deliver solid scientific support for watershed ecological conservation and foster sustainable regional socio-environmental development, future studies need to deepen explorations of two core areas: multi-scale coupling processes in arid and semi-arid watersheds, and the water quality impacts driven by composite erosion.

Keywords

Soil Erosion; Water Quality Evolution; Coupling Mechanism; Land Use; Erosion Control Practices; Diffuse Pollution

References

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