Quantitative evaluation of the sheet wash processes on the slopes in the arid zone of Turgai Trough

Abstract

Developing further Penck's theory on the formation of different profiles of weathering crust at slopes, the authors distinguish steady and non-steady weathering crust, which character and thickness are determined by the correlation of weathering and denudation rates. Besides, having a steady weathering crust mostly at natural slopes it is suggested to distinguish qualitatively different types of denudation slopes basing on the completeness of the weathering crust profile. lt permits to map with high accuracy slope areas with different denudation rate and different character of the material removed. The indicators of denudation slopes' types are as follows: steepness, density of grass cover and thickness of soils profile.