HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Bertrand, A. R. Articles by Sor, K. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Bertrand, A. R. Articles by Sor, K. Agricola Articles by Bertrand, A. R. Articles by Sor, K.

The Effects of Rainfall Intensity on Soil Structure and Migration of Colloidal Materials in Soils¹

ABSTRACT

This paper presents the effects of rainfall energy on the clay content, specific surface, aggregate stability, and organic matter content of the several layers of three soil types.

After 30 minutes of simulated rainfall at an intensity of 1.6 inches per hour the magnitudes of the above properties of the first layer (0 to 1.5 cm.) decreased considerably, while these properties of the sublayers (1.5 to 12.0 cm.) did not change. After 30 minutes of rainfall at 2.8 and 4.0 inches per hour, the decrease in the magnitudes of these soil properties in the first layer was greater than that occurring under the 1.6 inches per hour rainfall. Thirty minutes of rainfall with intensities of 2.8 and 4.0 inches per hour changed the physical properties of the second layer (1.5 to 3.0 cm.) somewhat, although not of the same magnitude as they were changed in the top layer. The effects of 2.8 and 4.0 inches per hour rainfall were about equal in magnitude, while the effects of 1.6 inches per hour were lower.

Clays labeled with Rb⁸⁶ migrated in soil profiles during the application of rainfall. About 1% of the clay migrated to a depth of 3 cm. At about 7.5 cm. the radioactivity of the soil was equal to the background.

¹ Journal Paper No. 1743, Purdue University Agr. Exp. Sta., Lafayette, Ind. Contribution from the Department of Agronomy in cooperation with the Agricultural Research Service, USDA under the Research and Marketing Act Contract No. 12-14-100-1031 (41).

² Associate Professor of Agronomy and Graduate Research Assistant, respectively, Purdue University.

Received for publication June 9, 1961. Accepted for publication August 31, 1961.