Moslem Yazdani; Hamidreza Azimzadeh; Hamidreza Karimzadeh; Mohsen Soleimani
Volume 32, Issue 1 , May 2025, , Pages 18-34
Abstract
Background and ObjectivesAccurate measurement of wind erosion and dust intensity requires precise sediment traps. However, traps with varying geometric and aerodynamic properties differ in their efficiency for collecting, retaining, and selecting wind-blown particles. This study evaluates the collection ...
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Background and ObjectivesAccurate measurement of wind erosion and dust intensity requires precise sediment traps. However, traps with varying geometric and aerodynamic properties differ in their efficiency for collecting, retaining, and selecting wind-blown particles. This study evaluates the collection efficiency, retention capacity, and particle selectivity of two widely used wind erosion sediment traps—the Cox Sand Catcher (CSC) and the Modified Wilson and Cooke (MWAC)—in Iran, where they have recently been implemented for wind erosion monitoring.MethodologyTests were conducted using soils from two wind erosion hotspots in Iran: God-e-Govar (Bafq) and Gavkhuni (Sajzi). A suction-type wind tunnel was equipped with custom-designed bases for the traps and soil trays. Experiments were performed in a controlled laboratory setting at wind speeds of 6.1, 7.88, 9.35, and 10.62 m/s. Collection efficiency, retention capacity, and particle selectivity were measured for both traps.ResultsFor loamy sand soil, the CSC trap’s collection efficiency at wind speeds of 6.1, 7.88, 9.35, and 10.62 m/s was 20.61 ± 1.11%, 43.06 ± 2.47%, 35.90 ± 5.12%, and 29.41 ± 1.78%, respectively. For sandy soil from Bafq, efficiencies were 25.35 ± 3.35%, 47.33 ± 4.00%, 41.68 ± 5.19%, and 33.11 ± 3.83%. In contrast, the MWAC trap’s efficiencies for loamy sand were 29.75 ± 4.02%, 31.95 ± 7.18%, 57.57 ± 5.21%, and 62.84 ± 5.82%, and for sandy soil, 43.92 ± 8.83%, 44.23 ± 4.34%, and 47.19 ± 2.97% at the respective wind speeds. Both traps exhibited retention efficiencies exceeding 95% for both soil textures. Selectivity was lower for very fine particles (<100 µm) and very coarse particles (>1 mm), but the CSC trap showed greater selectivity for sand particles due to its design.ConclusionThe MWAC trap’s collection efficiency increased with wind speed for both loamy sand and sandy soils, whereas the CSC trap’s efficiency peaked at approximately 8 m/s before declining. These differences stem from the traps’ geometric and aerodynamic designs. Both traps showed reduced selectivity for very fine (<100 µm) and very coarse (>1 mm) particles, with the CSC trap being more selective for sand particles. Collection efficiency, retention, and selectivity depend on soil particle size distribution, wind speed, and trap design.
Moslem yazdani; Reza Erfanzadeh; Asghar Mosleh Arani
Volume 27, Issue 1 , April 2020, , Pages 47-57
Abstract
Plant litter is one of the best factors in the protection and stability of soil and by decomposition of litters, the percentage of organic matter could be increased which also improves the chemical properties of soil and plant production. The aim of this study was to compare the litter quality accumulated ...
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Plant litter is one of the best factors in the protection and stability of soil and by decomposition of litters, the percentage of organic matter could be increased which also improves the chemical properties of soil and plant production. The aim of this study was to compare the litter quality accumulated beneath three shrub species (Amygdalus scoparia, Ebenus stelata, Daphne mezerum) by measuring the soil chemical (carbon, calcium, magnesium, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium) and physical (Electrical conductivity and acidity) properties in Marvast rangelands, Yazd province, Iran. At the end of growth season, fifteen sites were selected and soil samples containing litter material was done randomly taken beneath and outside of the shrub canopy covers. Then, the chemical and physical characteristics of litter were measured in the laboratory. In order to compare the litter characteristics, one-way ANOVA were made between species and, between outside and beneath the shrubs. Mean comparisons were made using Duncan method. The results showed that the litter samples under E. stelata and D. mezerum shrubs had the highest values for calcium, magnesium and nitrogen contents. In contrast, the litter samples collected from outside shrubs had the highest values carbon content and electrical conductivity. The phosphorus contents between the species and between under and outside shrub of litters were statistically equal. Generally, the results of this study showed that the woody species in dry regions had different capacity in litter quality and soil improvement. It should be considered in the activity of rangeland improvement and development.