ARS | Publication request: LINKAGE BETWEEN SALTATION AND SUSPEND DUST CAUSED BY HIGH WIND EVENTS

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract
Publication Acceptance Date: July 20, 2004
Publication Date: July 20, 2004
Citation: Zobeck, T.M., Van Pelt, R.S. 2004. Linkage between saltation and suspend dust caused by high wind events. Meeting Abstract.

Technical Abstract: Linkage Between Saltation and Suspended Dust Caused by High Wind Events. TED M. ZOBECK, USDA-ARS, Lubbock, Texas and R. SCOTT VAN PELT, USDA-ARS, Big Spring, Texas. Knowledge of vertical suspended dust emission and flux is needed to develop and validate estimates predicted in wind erosion and aerosol dispersion models. Vertical dust flux is often estimated using a gradient method and flux equation. In addition, wind tunnel and field studies and theoretical considerations show that the dust (<20 'm) emission rate is proportional to the horizontal saltation flux, and hence proportional to the cube of the friction velocity. These results were generally based on time-integrated measurements of dust flux (for example, a per-storm basis). Recent advances in sensor technology have allowed for the measurement of wind velocity measurements and saltation and dust fluxes at high frequency, enabling more detailed analyses of the linkage of wind, saltation, and suspended dust. This presentation will report the results from a field dust sampling project conducted on a fine sandy loam soil in the Southern High Plains of west Texas, a region a significant wind erosion. The study employed fast-response wind, saltation, and dust sensors including BSNE saltation samplers, SENSIT saltation monitors, Dusttrak aerosol monitors, sonic anemometers at two heights, and standard meteorological equipment. Temporal resolution of saltation and dust sampling equipment varied with the type of samplers employed. Horizontal saltation flux measured with BSNE (time-integrated) showed good correlation with PM10 measured over the same time period. Dust concentration varied with height, sampling location and storm intensity, and was highly correlated with saltation. Estimates of dust flux were dependent on sampler location on the tower and proximity to dust source. Clear linkages of saltation and dust emission will be presented.