Profile distribution of sediment particle sizes at a check dam in a small watershed of Loess Plateau

Sediment gyration sampling was conducted in June 2006 to analyze the profile distribution of sediment particle sizes at a check-dam built in 1954 in a typical small watershed of hilly and gully Loess plateau.There were at least 28 layers of sediment gyration at the check-dam,with the layer depth varied from 2 cm to 60 cm.In the sediment profile,silt(0.05-0.002 mm)occupied 60%,its particle size being mainly within the range of 0.01-0.05 mm,while coarse sand(0.05 mm)accounted for 23.09%.The variation degree of sediment particle sizes increased with increasing depth,and an abrupt change was observed at the depth 2 m.Both longitudinal gradient and hydrodynamic condition caused the variation of sediment particle sizes.There was an accumulated plough layer of 72 cm thickness in the profile,which had indicative role for the sediment erosion environment of check dam.