Influence of Soil Moisture and Crust Formation on Soil Evaporation Rate: A Wind Tunnel Experiment in Hungary

In both arid and semiarid regions, erosion by wind is a significant threat against sustainability of natural resources. The objective of this work was to investigate the direct impact of various soil moisture levels with soil texture and organic matter on soil crust formation and evaporation. Eighty soil samples with different texture (sand: 19, loamy sand: 21, sandy loam: 26, loam: 8, and silty loam: 6 samples) were collected from the Nyírség region (Eastern Hungary). A wind tunnel experiment was conducted on four simulated irrigation rates (0.5, l.0, 2.0, and 5.0 mm) and four levels of wind speeds (4.5, 7.8, 9.2, and 15.5 m s−1). Results showed that watering with a quantity equal to 5 mm rainfall, with the exception of sandy soils, provided about 5–6 h protection against wind erosion, even in case of a wind velocity as high as 15.5 m s−1. An exponential connection was revealed between wind velocities and the times of evaporation (R2 = 0.88–0.99). Notably, a two-way ANOVA test revealed that both wind velocity (p < 0.001) and soil texture (p < 0.01) had a significant effect on the rate of evaporation, but their interaction was not significant (p = 0.26). In terms of surface crusts, silty loamy soils resulted in harder and more solid crusts in comparison with other textures. In contrast, crust formation in sandy soils was almost negligible, increasing their susceptibility to wind erosion risk. These results can support local municipalities in the development of a local plan against wind erosion phenomena in agricultural areas.

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A wind tunnel experiment to investigate the effect of polyvinyl acetate, biochar, and bentonite on wind erosion control

Archives of Agronomy and Soil Science ◽

10.1080/03650340.2018.1548765 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 65 (8) ◽

pp. 1049-1062 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

Zanyar Feizi ◽

Shamsollah Ayoubi ◽

Mohammad Reza Mosaddeghi ◽

Ali Asghar Besalatpour ◽

Mojtaba Zeraatpisheh ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Wind Tunnel ◽

Wind Erosion ◽

Polyvinyl Acetate ◽

Erosion Control ◽

Wind Tunnel Experiment ◽

Wind Erosion Control

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Physical Crust Formation on Sandy Soils and Their Potential to Reduce Dust Emissions from Croplands

Land ◽

10.3390/land9120503 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 9 (12) ◽

pp. 503

Author(s):

Heleen Vos ◽

Wolfgang Fister ◽

Frank Eckardt ◽

Anthony Palmer ◽

Nikolaus Kuhn

Keyword(s):

Wind Erosion ◽

Sandy Soils ◽

Soil Surface ◽

Free State ◽

Cone Penetrometer ◽

Crust Formation ◽

Dust Emissions ◽

Dust Flux ◽

Dust Sources

The sandy croplands in the Free State have been identified as one of the main dust sources in South Africa. The aim of this study was to investigate the occurrence and strength of physical soil crusts on cropland soils in the Free State, to identify the rainfall required to form a stable crust, and to test their impact on dust emissions. Crust strength was measured using a fall cone penetrometer and a torvane, while laboratory rainfall simulations were used to form experimental crusts. Dust emissions were measured with a Portable In-Situ Wind Erosion Laboratory (PI-SWERL). The laboratory rainfall simulations showed that stable crusts could be formed by 15 mm of rainfall. The PI-SWERL experiments illustrated that the PM10 emission flux of such crusts is between 0.14% and 0.26% of that of a non-crusted Luvisol and Arenosol, respectively. The presence of abraders on the crust can increase the emissions up to 4% and 8% of the non-crusted dust flux. Overall, our study shows that crusts in the field are potentially strong enough to protect the soil surfaces against wind erosion during a phase of the cropping cycle when the soil surface is not protected by plants.

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The Effects of Spatial Configurations of Simulated Shrubs on Wind-proof Effectiveness

10.22541/au.160993343.30166237/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Xia Pan ◽

Zhenyi Wang ◽

Yong Gao ◽

Zhengcai Zhang ◽

Xiaohong Dang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Control System ◽

Wind Tunnel ◽

Wind Velocity ◽

Wind Erosion ◽

Physical Interaction ◽

Near Surface ◽

Protection Effect ◽

Surface Barriers ◽

Spatial Configurations ◽

Airflow Field

Maximizing the benefits of windbreaks requires a thorough understanding of the physical interaction between the wind and the barrier. In this experiment, a profiling set of Pitot tubes was used to measure the airflow field and wind velocity of simulated shrubs in a wind tunnel. The effects of form configurations and row spaces of simulated shrubs on wind-proof effectiveness were in-depth studied. We come to the following results: the weakening intensity of hemisphere-shaped and broom-shaped shrubs on wind velocity was mainly reflected below 2 cm in the root and 6-14 cm in the middle-upper, respectively, while the wind-proof effect of the spindle-shaped shrubs at the canopy (0.2-14 cm height) was the best. Besides, the simulated shrubs under 26.25 cm had the best protection effect on the wind velocity. Moreover, the designed windbreaks with Nitraria tangutorum, more effectively reduced the wind velocity among the windbreak compared to behind the windbreak. In the wind control system, the hemisphere-shaped windbreaks should be applied as near-surface barriers, and the windbreaks of broom-shaped and spindle-shaped can be used as a sheltered forest. The results could offer theoretical guidelines on how to arrange the windbreaks for preventing wind erosion in the most convenient and efficient ways.

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Wind erosion and surface stability in abandoned milled peatlands

Canadian Journal of Soil Science ◽

10.4141/s00-089 ◽

2002 ◽

Vol 82 (1) ◽

pp. 85-95 ◽

Cited By ~ 53

Author(s):

Daniel R. Campbell ◽

Claude Lavoie ◽

Line Rochefort

Keyword(s):

Wind Tunnel ◽

Wind Erosion ◽

Roughness Length ◽

Field Measurements ◽

Wind Tunnel Experiment ◽

Equivalent Diameter ◽

Surface Stability ◽

Wind Events ◽

Aerodynamic Roughness ◽

Wind Profiles

Peatlands exploited for their peat by the method of milling are poorly recolonized by plants after the cessation of extraction activities, in part due to unstable peat substrates. Wind erosion has been suspected to play a role in this instability. Four studies were conducted to investigate the role of wind erosion on abandoned milled peatlands. A wind tunnel experiment was performed to evaluate the erodibility of dry, loose peat as a function of its degree of decomposition. A second wind tunnel experiment was conducted to determine how crusted peats differ in their resistance to erosion as a function of their degree of decomposition, without the input of abraders. Third, wind profiles were measured in milled, revegetated and natural peatlands in southeastern Québec to determine their aerodynamic roughness length. Finally, field measurements were made at three abandoned milled peatlands through two field seasons to characterize substrate stability and particle movement. In the wind tunnel, the erodibility of loose surface peat decreased with increasing decomposition and was predicted by their equivalent diameter to mineral particles 0.84 mm in diameter. However, once surface crusts formed, peats were all resistant to erosion. Surfaces of abandoned milled peatlands were aerodynamically smooth; therefore, exposed surface elements are subject to strong erosive forces during wind events. The greatest subsidence on abandoned milled peatlands occurred in the spring, prior to the surface movement of particles. Erosion during the summer could not be clearly detected. The instability of the peat surface remains a constraint for the restoration of abandoned milled surfaces. Key Words: Peat, cutover peatland, wind erosion, soil crust, roughness length, soil stability

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Effect of Planting Configuration, Spring Cover Crop, and Reservoir Tillage on Onion

HortScience ◽

10.21273/hortsci.39.4.853a ◽

2004 ◽

Vol 39 (4) ◽

pp. 853A-853

Author(s):

Harlene Hatterman-Valenti* ◽

Paul Hendrickson

Keyword(s):

Soil Moisture ◽

Cover Crop ◽

Wind Erosion ◽

Sandy Loam ◽

Total Yield ◽

Growing Season ◽

Field Trials ◽

Clay Loam ◽

Raised Bed ◽

Erosion Protection

Field trials were initiated near Carrington and Absaraka, N.D., on a Heimdal clay loam and a Spottswood sandy loam, respectively to evaluate onion grade and yield in response to planting configuration, spring cover crop, and reservoir tillage. Results from the Carrington and Absaraka locations during 2002 and 2003 showed that colossal-sized onion was the largest grading size obtained (Carrington, 2003) and that the greatest number of colossal onion were from the bed configuration that had a reservoir tillage treatment. The coarser soil texture at Absaraka allowed for spring and fall formed raised bed comparison (2003) in which the fall formed raised bed tended to have greater yields and more marketable onion. Planting configuration resulting in the greatest total yield varied among locations and years but generally increased with reservoir tillage. Soil moisture and temperature monitoring during the early growing season did not differ greatly. However, differences in soil water potentials at the 6“ depth were observed during the last part of the growing season. Cover crop results indicated that a row of canola planted between onion rows for wind erosion protection will reduce onion yields even when ample water is available through routine irrigation. Herbicides for broadleaf control were not applied until onion had two true-leaves due to label restrictions. This delay enabled the canola to grow beyond the recommended stage for broadleaf control and to quickly outgrow the herbicide injury.

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Combating wind erosion of sandy soils and crop damage in the coastal deserts: Wind tunnel experiments

Aeolian Research ◽

10.1016/j.aeolia.2012.08.006 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 9 ◽

pp. 69-73 ◽

Cited By ~ 13

Author(s):

Arthur Genis ◽

Leonid Vulfson ◽

Jiftah Ben-Asher

Keyword(s):

Wind Tunnel ◽

Wind Erosion ◽

Sandy Soils ◽

Crop Damage ◽

Wind Tunnel Experiments

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Parametrization of the increase of the aeolian erosion threshold wind friction velocity due to soil moisture for arid and semi-arid areas

Annales Geophysicae ◽

10.1007/s00585-999-0149-7 ◽

1999 ◽

Vol 17 (1) ◽

pp. 149-157 ◽

Cited By ~ 300

Author(s):

F. Fécan ◽

B. Marticorena ◽

G. Bergametti

Keyword(s):

Soil Moisture ◽

Soil Texture ◽

Wind Erosion ◽

Large Scale ◽

Empirical Relationship ◽

Capillary Forces ◽

Atmospheric Composition ◽

Soil Water Retention ◽

Erosion Threshold ◽

Semi Arid

Abstract. Large-scale simulation of the soil-derived dust emission in semi-arid regions needs to account for the influence of the soil moisture on the wind erosion threshold. Soil water retention consists of molecular adsorption on the soil grain surface and capillary forces between the grain. Interparticle capillary forces (characterized by the moisture tension) are the main factor responsible for the increase of the wind erosion threshold observed when the soil moisture increases. When the soil moisture content is close to but smaller than the maximum amount of adsorbed water, w' (depending on the soil texture), these capillary forces are considered as not strong enough to significantly increase the erosion threshold. An expression of the moisture tension as a function of soil moisture and w' is derived from retention curves. From this expression, a parametrization of the ratio of the wet to dry erosion thresholds has been developed as a function of soil moisture and soil texture. The coefficients of this parametrization have been determined by using experimental data from the literature. An empirical relationship between w' and soil clay content has been established. The erosion threshold ratios simulated for different soil textures were found to be in good agreement with the experimental data.Key words. Atmospheric composition and structure (Aerosols and particles) · Hydrology (soil moisture)

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Nutrient losses caused by wind erosion on sandy soils in the Danube-Tisza Interfluve, based on wind tunnel experiments

Agrokémia és Talajtan ◽

10.1556/agrokem.62.2013.2.8 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 62 (2) ◽

pp. 285-298 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Károly Tatárvári ◽

Gábor Négyesi

Keyword(s):

Wind Tunnel ◽

Wind Erosion ◽

Sandy Soils ◽

Nutrient Losses ◽

Wind Tunnel Experiments

A Duna-Tisza köze homoktalajai a szélerózió által erősen veszélyeztetettek, a szélerózió során a talaj összetevőinek áthelyeződésével együtt a tápanyagok is jelentősen koncentrálódhatnak. Munkánk során arra kerestük a választ, hogy mezőgazdasági területeken a szélerózió mennyiben változtatja meg a talaj felső 0–10 cm- es rétegének mezőgazdasági, környezetvédelmi szempontból fontos összetevőit, úgymint: összes só %, CaCO3-, NO3-NO2-N-, P2O5-, K2O-, Na-tartalom.A kritikus indítósebesség és a kötöttség között összefüggést tapasztaltunk, hiszen az Arany-féle kötöttségi szám rálátást ad a talaj mechanikai összetételére is. Az Arany-féle kötöttségi szám a fontos vízgazdálkodási tulajdonságok mellett a szélerózió érzékenységgel is összefüggésbe hozható (1. táblázat). A nagy agyagfrakció tartalom csak abban az esetben nyújt a szélerózió ellen megfelelő védelmet, ha az adott talaj mechanikai összetételében az iszapfrakció is megfelelő arányban megtalálható.Összességében elmondható, hogy kis iszap- és agyagtartalmuknak, a kis humusztartalomnak, valamint az ebből adódó gyenge nedvességmegkötő és növényzeteltartó képességüknek köszönhetően, a vizsgált talajok szélerózió által rendkívül veszélyeztetettek. A vizsgált mintákkal egyező fizikai féleségű talajokon egy viharos erejű szél öt perc alatt a feltalaj 3—5 cm vastag rétegét mozdíthatja el.A hordalék sókoncentrációja minden esetben nagyobb volt, mint a kontrollmintáké. Erőteljes NO3-NO2-N felhalmozódást figyeltünk meg a szél által elhordott talajfrakciókban. A hordalék NO3-NO2-N-tartalma a talaj eredeti NO3-NO2-N tartalmának kétszeresét is túllépheti. A hordalékban a nitrit-nitrát-nitrogénhez hasonlóan a foszfor-, a kálium- és a nátriumtartalom feldúsulását tapasztaltuk. Az elemtartalom másfél-, kétszeresére nőhet az eredeti talajmintákéhoz képest. Kis szélsebességnél a nagyobb agyag- és iszaptartalmú talajokon a tápelemveszteség kicsi, de nagy szélsebességnél éppen ezen talajoknál nagyon jelentős lehet.

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Integrated spatial assessment of wind erosion risk in Hungary

10.5194/nhess-2016-162 ◽

2016 ◽

Author(s):

László Pásztor ◽

Gábor Négyesi ◽

Annamária Laborczi ◽

Tamás Kovács ◽

Elemér László ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Wind Velocity ◽

Soil Texture ◽

Wind Erosion ◽

National Level ◽

Wind Tunnel Experiments ◽

Erosion Risk ◽

Average Wind ◽

Meteorological Elements ◽

Average Wind Velocity ◽

Insight Into

Abstract. Wind erosion susceptibility of the Hungarian soils was mapped on national level integrating three pillars of the complex phenomenon of deflation. Results of wind tunnel experiments on erodibility of various and representative soil samples were used for the parametrization of countrywide map of soil texture compiled for the upper 5 centimeter layer of soil, which resulted in a map representing threshold wind velocity exceedance. Average wind velocity was spatially estimated with 0.5' resolution using the MISH method elaborated for the spatial interpolation of surface meteorological elements. The ratio of threshold wind velocity exceedance was determined based on values predicted by the soil texture map at the grid locations. Ratio values were further interpolated to a finer 1 ha resolution using sand and silt content of the uppermost (0–5 cm) soil as spatial co-variables. Land cover was also taken into account excluding areas which are not relevant from the aspect of wind erosion (forests, water bodies, settlements etc.) to spatially assess the risk of wind erosion. According to the resulted map of wind erosion susceptibility, about 10 % of the total area of Hungary can be identified as susceptible for wind erosion. The map gives more detailed insight into the spatial distribution of wind-affected areas in Hungary as opposed to former works.

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