Effect of drop energy and soil and water chemistry on infiltration and erosion

Abstract

The effect of water salinity, soil sodicity, and raindrop energy on final infiltration rate, wash erosion, and soil particle splash of two kaolinitic soils (ustochrepts and paleudalf) was studied. Final infiltration rate decreased with the increase in soil sodicity and drop energy and increased with the increase of water salinity. Wash erosion and splash increased with the increase in soil sodicity and drop energy and decreased with the increase in water salinity. Infiltration was very sensitive to relatively low drop energy. The major decrease in final infiltration rate was already achieved at drop energies lower than 10 J mm−1 m−2. Wash erosion increased exponentially with the increase in drop energy compared to a linear increase of the splash. Soil splash was approximately 2–3 times higher than wash erosion for any given drop energy. The threshold energy for soil splash initiation was 4–6 J mm−1 m−2, while for wash erosion (low exchangeable sodium percentage (ESP)) it was 2–4 J mm−1 m−2, and for the high ESP it was beyond the lowest energy we used (2.1 J mm−1 m−2).

Interrill erosion on cultivated Greek soils: modelling sediment delivery

“…These results are in accordance with previous findings cited in the literature. Previous work has shown that soil splash and erosion rate increase with increasing rainfall kinetic energy (Riezebos and Epema, 1985;Agassi et al, 1994). Moreover, the thin overland flow in combination with raindrop impact have been recognized as the main factors of detached soil particle transportation.…”

Estimation of temporal variation in splash detachment in two Japanese cypress plantations of contrasting age

“…Mohamed and Kohl (1987) concluded that a relatively low rainfall KE caused a thinner and less compacted seal on the soil surface. Previous studies also found that both the rate of decline in soil water intake and the final infiltration rate depended on the rainfall KE (Agassi et al, 1985;Agassi et al, 1994;Betzalel et al, 1995). Accordingly, in the 21-year stand, relatively low KE produced a thinner and less compacted water seal on the soil surface resulting in water infiltration to subsurface layers.…”

Experimental studies on rain splash erosion of forest soils after clearing in Okinawa using an artificial rainfall apparatus

“…Previous studies on rain splash erosion can be classified into the following three fields: (1) characteristics of rainfall intensity (Wischmeier and Smith 1958;Palmer 1965;Young and Wiersma 1973;Palk et al 1983;Torri and Poesen 1992;Agassi et al 1994;Loureiro and Coutinho 1995;Pedersen and Hasholt 1995;Sutherland et al 1996); (2) impact of raindrops on the soil surface (Fukusakura 1982a(Fukusakura ,b, 1983aMoss and Green 1983;Odaka and Endo 1984;Fujiwara 1989,1990;Fukada et al 1992a,b); and (3) relationships between erosion rates and physical properties of soils (Barnet et al 1965(Barnet et al , 1966Farmer 1973;Uchida 1979;Fujiwara and Uchida 1980;Hosoyamada 1981;Uchida 1981;Loch and Foley 1994). Fukada et al (1992b) investigated the relationship between impact of raindrops and depth of surficial water, and clarified several important points concerning rain splash erosion, but did not elucidate the relationships between rain splash erosion rate and erodibilities of various kinds of soil.…”