Morphodynamics in the Jieze Caka Basin, western Tibet, China

中国湖泊流域的研究越来越重要，因为众所周知，地貌动力学，湖泊沉积物和湖泊及其集水区周围的沉积物输运可以可靠地监测晚第四纪水文循环和气候变化。西藏西部封闭的结则茶卡盆地是研究末次冰期旋回地貌过程（冰川动力学、阶地形成、沉积物输运）与湖泊形成相互关系的理想场所。该盆地提供了重要的信息，区域气候和环境历史，除了现代夏季风的影响。在试点研究的框架内，我们的目标是探索i）阶地形成和过去的湖泊水位波动之间的相互关系，以及ii）湖盆形态，沉积模式和湖泊生态作为气候和/或非气候对环境的影响的函数之间的相关性。在为期一年的项目期内，计划开展以下调查：1）通过野外调查、DGPS测量和选择性取样，确定、表征和定位湖阶和湖周围的古岸线; 2）建立基于回声测深的结则茶卡湖水深图; 3）湖沼学参数的测量;通过短岩心分析确定湖泊沉积物的特征。试点研究的结果应作为今后水文模拟和详细研究的基本依据，地貌和沉积动力学，使先进的知识，在西藏西部地区的气候和环境重建。将与来自西藏大学、拉萨和RWTH亚琛大学的同事共同进行实地研究和数据分析。

Research on lake basins in China is of increasing importance, since it is well-known that morphodynamics, lake sediments and sediment transport around lakes and their catchments can monitor Late Quaternary hydrological cycles and climate variability reliably well. The closed Jieze Caka Basin in western Tibet is an excellent site to study the interrelationship between geomorphic processes (glacier dynamics, terrace formation, sediment transport) and lake formation throughout the last glacial cycle. The basin provides important information about the regional climate and environmental history apart from modern summer monsoon influence. Within the framework of a pilot study we aim at exploring i) the interrelationship between terrace formation and past lake level fluctuations and ii) the correlation between lake basin morphology, sedimentary patterns and lake ecology as a function of climatic and/or non-climatic impact on the environment. Following investigations are planned for a one-year project phase:1) Identifying, characterizing and localizing lake terraces and paleo-shorelines around the lake by field surveys, DGPS measuremnts and selected sampling2) Establishing a bathymetry map of Jieze Caka lake based on echo sounding; developing morphological basin profiles3) Measurments of limnological parameters and4) Characterizing lake sediments by short coring.The results of the pilot study shall be used as a fundamental base for future hydrological modeling and detailed studies on morpho and sediment dynamics to enable advanced knowledge on climate and environmental reconstructions of that region in western Tibet. Field research and data analysis will be jointly conducted with colleagues from Tibet University, Lhasa and RWTH Aachen University.