Sheet erosion in the Baikal depression

Abstract

Basing on measurements of the sheet wash performed .from 1969 to 1975 the most important indices of the geological activity of the process were quantitatively evaluated. A general amount of the sheet wash into Lake Baikal is estimated to be 722 tons of mineral and 106 tons of organic matter per year. An average layer of' mineral particles, when calculated for the area of possible sedimentation in the lake is 0.03 micron. Sheet wash at steep slopes facing the Baikal Lake ranges from 7.3 micron in steppe to 0.0008 micron in open woodland. The values of denudation rate are compared with those obtained for other regions.