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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Pullman, Washington » Northwest Sustainable Agroecosystems Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #100620
Title: WIND EROSION AND FUGITIVE DUST FLUXES ON AGRICULTURAL LANDS IN THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST

Author
item Saxton, Keith
item Chandler, David
item STETLER, LARRY - S. DAKOTA SCHOOL OF MINES
item CLAIBORN, CANDIS - WASHINGTON STATE UNIV.
item LAMB, BRIAN - WASHINGTON STATE UNIV.
item LEE, BU-HYUN - WASHINGTON STATE UNIV.

Submitted to: Transactions of the ASAE
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/1/2000
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: There is now increased emphasis of agricultural wind erosion and associated dust emissions impacting downwind air quality, which increases the need for a prediction method to estimate dust emissions and concentrations on a wind event basis. This report summarizes some four years of intensive measurements in Eastern Washington State using a portable wind tunnel and wind erosion samplers in farm fields to define a prediction method for bot wind erosion and downwind dust concentrations. These predictions will assist farmers to develop improved farming methods to preserve their soil resources while at the same time reduce downwind dust concentrations related to health concerns in urban areas.

Technical Abstract: With recent emphasis of agricultural wind erosion and associated dust emissions impacting downwind air quality, there is an increased need for a prediction method to estimate dust emissions and concentrations on a wind event basis. Most current wind erosion methods predict average annual or seasonal erosion amounts, and only very approximate estimates of suspended dust emissions are available. A project in the Columbia Plateau of Easter Washington State was initiated to develop an empirical method to estimate dust emissions in this region. Field measurements, wind tunnel tests and laboratory analyses were combined to provide a wind erosion equation and a related vertical flux dust emission model. While based on measured data, the model has not been independently verified. When combined with a transport-dispersion model, estimates of downwind particulate concentrations compared reasonably with those measured.