Field Wind Erosion

The quantity of soil material transported by wind will decrease with height above the surface. Airborne samples were obtained at five levels above four soils. Mass distribution with height differs for materials in saltation or in suspension. A technique was developed to mathematically describe the two modes of transport so the total quantity being transported could be determined by integrating the two equations. Transition height, where the transport mode changes from saltation to suspension, is termed TSS. TSS decreases as surface soil texture changes from a fine sandy loam to a loam, indicating a higher percentage of the eroded material is moving at a greater distance above the soil surface. TSS increases as roughness of the soil surface increases, indicating a decrease in the suspension component and that the majority of eroded material is moving close to the soil surface.