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A conceptual model of wind erosion of soil surfaces by saltating particles
Author(s) -
Rice M. A.,
McEwan I. K.,
Mullins C. E.
Publication year - 1999
Publication title -
earth surface processes and landforms
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.294
H-Index - 127
eISSN - 1096-9837
pISSN - 0197-9337
DOI - 10.1002/(sici)1096-9837(199905)24:5<383::aid-esp995>3.0.co;2-k
Subject(s) - aeolian processes , erosion , geology , soil loss , geotechnical engineering , wind speed , environmental science , soil science , geomorphology , oceanography
A conceptual model is described for the prediction of wind erosion rates dependent on the distribution of impact energy delivered to the surface by saltating grains, P [ Ei ], and the distribution of local surface strength, P [ Es ]. Methods are presented for the measurement of both distributions and consequent loss of material from the bed. It is concluded that saltating sand grains can rupture weak crusts under even moderate wind conditions, and that the rate of erosion will depend on the shape of the distribution tails. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.