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Influence of Rainfall Energy on Soil Loss and Infiltration Rates: I. Effect over a Range of Texture
Author(s) -
Moldenhauer W. C.,
Long D. C.
Publication year - 1964
Publication title -
soil science society of america journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.836
H-Index - 168
eISSN - 1435-0661
pISSN - 0361-5995
DOI - 10.2136/sssaj1964.03615995002800060036x
Subject(s) - loam , soil texture , soil water , silt , infiltration (hvac) , surface runoff , soil science , environmental science , hydrology (agriculture) , geology , geotechnical engineering , materials science , geomorphology , composite material , ecology , biology
Soil and water losses were determined from sieved air‐dry samples of five Iowa soils varying in texture using a laboratory rain simulator with a 3‐m. drop fall, a 4.85 to 5.00 mm. drop diameter, and an intensity ranging from 3.43 to 6.78 cm. per hour. The soil samples were contained in a pan 15.2 cm. deep, 30.5 cm. wide and 45.7 cm. long and tilted to a 9% slope. Runs were 90 minutes in length. The infiltration rate was the most important factor influencing total soil loss. Relative total soil losses for 90 minutes of run at high intensity were silty clay > silty clay loam > silt > loam > fine sand. At the low intensity, the positions of silty clay and silty clay loam and of silt and loam were reversed. Total soil loss varied with intensity, but infiltration was essentially constant over the entire range except on the fine sand. With equal water loss the order of erodibility was find sand > silty clay > silty clay loam > silt > loam. Total kinetic energy required to initiate runoff was constant over a range of time and intensity.