Skip to main content
ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Pullman, Washington » Northwest Sustainable Agroecosystems Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #100217
Title: RELATING EMPIRICAL PARAMETERS OF A DUST EMISSION MODEL TO LOESSIAL SOIL PROPERTIES

Author
item Chandler, David
item HORNING, LANCE - WASHINGTON STATE UNIV.
item Saxton, Keith

Submitted to: Dust Aerosol, Loess Soils and Climate Change Meeting
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/1/1998
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: Wind erosion of agricultural lands on the Columbia Plateau has long produced dust clouds which degrade the regional air quality. Measurement and prediction of dust related to agriculture has gained importance as concern of air quality has grown. Existing wind erosion models were inadequate for prediction of dust emission and transport in the Pacific Northwest, so an empirical model has been developed for event-based prediction of dust emission from wind erosion of agricultural lands on the Columbia Plateau. Two of the parameters required by the model, soil erodibility index and soil dustiness index have been determined for a range of soils within the Pacific Northwest loessial region. These parameters have been related to common physical measures of soil properties to broaden the scope of application of the model. These results will help field agents assess the erodibility hazard of a field from well known measurements which do not require specialized equipment.

Technical Abstract: A model has been developed to predict dust emission from wind erosion of agricultural lands on the Columbia Plateau. Two of the empirical parameters required by the model, soil erodibility index and soil dustiness index have been determined for a range of soils within the Pacific Northwest loessial region. These model parameters have been related to the eparticle size distribution of the soil surface to improve the breadth of application and model precision. Particle sizing was determined by several complimentary methods which relate to wind erosion.