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ARS Home » Plains Area » Lubbock, Texas » Cropping Systems Research Laboratory » Wind Erosion and Water Conservation Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #285629
Title: Effect of soil texture and chemical properties on laboratory-generated dust emissions from SW North America

Author
item MOCKFORD, THOMAS - Texas Tech University
item Zobeck, Teddy
item LEE, JEFFREY - Texas Tech University
item GILL, THOMAS - University Of Texas
item PEINADO, PORRIFIRIO - University Of Texas

Submitted to: American Geophysical Union
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 12/3/2012
Publication Date: 12/7/2012
Citation: Mockford, T.W., Zobeck, T.M., Lee, J.A., Gill, T.E., Peinado, P. 2012. Effect of soil texture and chemical properties on laboratory-generated dust emissions from SW North America[abstract]. American Geophysical Union. December 3-7, 2012. San Francisco, California.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Understanding the controls of mineral dust emission and particle size distribution of wind-erosion events is critical as dust particles play a significant impact in shaping the earth’s climate. It has been suggested that emission rates and particle size distributions are independent of soil chemistry and soil texture. In this study, 45 samples of wind-erodible surface soils from the Southern High Plains and Chihuahuan Desert regions of Texas, New Mexico, Colorado and Mexico were analyzed by the Lubbock Dust Generation, Analysis and Sampling System (LDGASS) and a Beckman-Coulter particle multisizer. The LDGASS created dust emissions in a controlled laboratory setting using a rotating arm which allows particle collisions. The emitted dust was transferred to a chamber where particulate matter concentration was recorded using a DataRam and MiniVol filter; dust particle size distribution was recording using a GRIMM particle analyzer. Particle size analysis was also determined from samples deposited on the Mini-Vol filters using a Beckman-Coulter particle multisizer. Soil textures ranged from sands and sandy loams to clays and silts. Initial results suggest that total dust emissions increased with increasing soil clay and silt content and decreased with increasing sand content. Particle size distribution analysis showed a similar relationship; soils with high silt content produced the widest range of dust particle sizes and the smallest dust particles. Sand grains seem to produce the largest dust particles. Another important chemical control of dust emissions is calcium carbonate content. The study shows the importance of soil chemistry and texture in controlling total dust emission and the particle size distribution of wind-erosion events.