Dust reduction efficiency of a single row vegetative barrier (Maclura pomifera)

Authors: GONZALES, HOWELL - Temple University; Tatarko, John; Casada, Mark; MAGHIRANG, RONALDO - Kansas State University; Hagen, Lawrence; BARDEN, CHARLES - Kansas State University Agricultural Research Center-Hays

Submitted to: Transactions of the ASABE
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 9/1/2018
Publication Date: 1/2/2019
Citation: Gonzales, H., Tatarko, J., Casada, M.E., Maghirang, R., Hagen, L.J., Barden, C. 2019. Dust reduction efficiency of a single row vegetative barrier (Maclura pomifera). Transactions of the ASABE. 61(6):1907-1914. https://doi.org/10.13031/trans.12879.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.13031/trans.12879

Interpretive Summary: Little is known about the capability of trees to remove blowing dust. One type of tree barrier (i.e., windbreak) used for wind erosion control in Kansas is the deciduous tree species, Osage-orange. A dust generator and distributor were fabricated to generate dust particles that were allowed to pass through a single row of Osage-orange barrier. Simultaneous upwind and downwind dust concentrations were measured for total suspended dust at heights of 5, 10, 14.8, and 19.7 feet (1.5, 3, 4.5, and 6 m) above the soil surface. Dust was measured using two towers located upwind and downwind of the barrier at distances equal to the height of the barrier. Results showed that dust was reduced significantly and was related to reduction in wind speed as wind passed through the barrier. This caused an overall decrease in dust concentration as particles passed through the barrier. Larger dust particles (~100 microns) were also reduced relative to smaller sizes when dust passed through the barrier. The data also showed that 14.8 feet above the ground, near the crown area of the barrier, was the most efficient area for removing fine dust.

Technical Abstract: Little is known about the dust removal efficiency of common vegetative barriers. A study of blowing dust reduction was conducted on one of the most common vegetative barrier used for wind erosion control in Kansas, the deciduous tree species, Maclura pomifera (Osage-orange). A dust generator and distributor were fabricated to generate dust particles that were allowed to pass through a single row of Osage-orange barrier. Simultaneous upwind and downwind dust concentrations were measured using mini-vol samplers for total suspended particulates (TSP) at heights of 1.5, 3.0, 4.5, and 6.0 m above the soil surface. Measurements were made using two towers located at upwind and downwind distances equal to the height of the barrier (1H). Particle size distribution (PSD) analysis of the initial generated dust showed a majority were large particles (GMD = 102.8 microns) while about 5% of the dust was particulate matter less than 2.5 microns in diameter (PM2.5) and 15% less than 10 microns (PM10). Laser diffraction analysis of the particles from the mini-vol filters was used to determine the barrier dust reduction efficiencies. Results show that dust reduction was significantly related to reduction in wind speed for lower barrier heights causing an overall decrease in dust concentration as particles passed through the barrier. Concentrations of larger particles (~100 microns) were also reduced relative to smaller sizes when dust passed through the barrier. The data also showed that 4.5 m above the ground, near the crown area of the barrier, was the most efficient at removing PM2.5 (15 to 54%) and PM10 (23 to 65%) portions of the generated dust.