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Abstract: Expansion of irrigation in the Yellow River (Huang He in Chinese) Basin of China is a major accomplishment of the post-revolutionary period in China. Irrigation reliance on the Yellow River was anticipated to not only supply greater reliability of water for crops, but also to improve the productivity of aeolian, saline and alkali soils because of the high sediment loads in the river. Irrigation expansion also was a significant factor in affecting human modification of the landscape ecosystem in the lower reaches of the Yellow River. Based on field investigation and sampling of the amount and distribution of used suspended sediment load in irrigated areas, this paper analyzes the impact of the suspended sediment on soil texture, fertility and salinity and the consequences to the landscape ecosystem. Results indicate that soil quality has indeed been improved through irrigation and related deposition of sediment, but some local problems created by long periods of irrigation should not be ignored in the future. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This paper introduces an innovative technology—grouted jetted precast concrete piling—that increases the efficiency of piling operations in coastal regions. The technology includes the following steps: (i) casting concrete piles factory-designed especially for jetting and grouting; (ii) jetting to drive the concrete piles with a crane on a floating ship or platform into soil; and (iii) grouting to enhance the sheet pile connections and to increase the pile bearing capacity. This technology was applied to a number of piling construction projects at the mouth of the Yellow River Delta in China, and this experience demonstrated that it is a robust, fast track, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly piling method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]