Basin-scale spatial soil erosion variability: Pingshuo opencast mine site in Shanxi Province, Loess Plateau of China

Opencast mining and relevant land reclamation measurements can have a large impact on the surrounding landscape by altering vegetation, topography, and subsurface. Mining processes will induce changes in runoff, erosion, surface drainage system, and ecological functions. In this present study, Sanggan River (SGR) watershed with a surface area of about 1480 km 2 , which contains Pingshuo mine lying in the central part of this basin, was chosen for applying RUSLE model. RUSLE was applied in conjunction with geographic information systems and remote sensing to estimate erosion risks and assess impacts of mining on the channels and hydrologic system, in order to implement better water and soil conservation and reclamation practices. The RUSLE factors (R, K, LS, C, P) in 3 years, 1986, 2000, and 2013, were computed. Erosion in the study area for each of those years was classified into six grades: slight, light, moderate, intense, severe, and aggressive rates. Topographic factor (LS) and conservation practice factor (P) influenced the erosion to a greater extent and had higher correlation with soil erosion. High soil erosion rate was observed in areas with high terrain alteration, high slopes, and land with sparse vegetation. Hilly areas, grasslands, and the newly constructed mine dumps were more degraded with higher erosion. Copyright Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht 2016