Lifting of the Mogao grottoes in Dunhuang, Gansu province wind-sand hazard _ news

China News Agency, Lanzhou, December 10 (South zhuomawangjindong), cold and arid regions environmental and Engineering Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 10th International reported that after more than 20 years of research and practice of Gansu province, at present, the Dunhuang Mogao grottoes and sand harms has been largely lifted, Mingsha Mountain and Crescent Moon Spring flow remained stable, Crescent Lake water level gradually returns.

Dunhuang Mogao grottoes is located in the Southeast edge of kumtag desert and the eastern foot of Mingsha, sandstorm Mogao intact is always one of the main environmental problems. For a long time, a little wind, there is sand from the Mogao grottoes precipice plunging down, open-air frescoes and cave surrounding rock of wind erosion and abrasion, damage to the murals and painted sculptures in the grottoes.

Studies have shown that sand has become the biggest threat to long-term preservation of the Mogao grottoes. Middle of the last century 70 's, local reclamation land reclamation, water pumping for irrigation, as well as the influence of surrounding vegetation, soil erosion and Crescent Moon Spring in sharp decline in the water level. In 1985, the Crescent Moon spring water, dropped to an all-time low, with an average depth of only 0.7 to 0.8 meters, fountain dry bottom, was able to leave.

Cold and arid regions environmental and Engineering Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences Qu Jianjun, a researcher and his team through unremitting efforts, and sandstorm prevention and ecological restoration at Dunhuang research in key technology made a major breakthrough.

According to Qu Jianjun introduces, through the efforts of the research team, top of Mogao Caves formed by sand, desert plant belt retaining sand-proof resistance sand and wheat straw square sand composed of sand and sand-gravel and sand prevention and control integrated system. "The implementation of these projects to the Mogao grottoes annual sediment load of less than 85%, which greatly slowed down the sand on the Dunhuang murals and statues and other relics of the hazards, improving the ecological environment of the area."

Qu Jianjun, governance of Mogao Grottoes at Dunhuang and sand harms, adopted a "fortification of local conditions and damage" methods of ecological restoration, will also provide references for similar problems in other parts of. (End)

(Original title: lifting of the Mogao grottoes in Dunhuang, Gansu province wind-sand hazard)

China News Network