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 Moldenhauer, W. C. Articles by Long, D. C. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Moldenhauer, W. C. Articles by Long, D. C. Agricola Articles by Moldenhauer, W. C. Articles by Long, D. C.

Influence of Rainfall Energy on Soil Loss and Infiltration Rates: I. Effect over a Range of Texture¹

ABSTRACT

Soil and water losses were determined from sieved air-dry samples of five Iowa soils varying in texture using a laboratory rain simulator with a 3-m. drop fall, a 4.85 to 5.00 mm. drop diameter, and an intensity ranging from 3.43 to 6.78 cm. per hour. The soil samples were contained in a pan 15.2 cm. deep, 30.5 cm. wide and 45.7 cm. long and tilted to a 9% slope. Runs were 90 minutes in length. The infiltration rate was the most important factor influencing total soil loss. Relative total soil losses for 90 minutes of run at high intensity were silty clay > silty clay loam > silt > loam > fine sand. At the low intensity, the positions of silty clay and silty clay loam and of silt and loam were reversed. Total soil loss varied with intensity, but infiltration was essentially constant over the entire range except on the fine sand. With equal water loss the order of erodibility was find sand > silty clay > silty clay loam > silt > loam. Total kinetic energy required to initiate runoff was constant over a range of time and intensity.

¹ Contribution from the Soil and Water Conservation Research Division, ARS, USDA, and the Iowa Agr. and Home Ec. Exp. Sta. Journal Paper No. J-4832, Project No. 1064. Presented before Div. VI, Soil Sci. Soc. Am., Aug. 20, 1962, Ithaca, New York.

² Research Soil Scientist, USDA, and Associate Professor of Agronomy; and Graduate Assistant, Agronomy Department, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa, respectively. The authors wish to express appreciation to Mr. Donald Law for his contribution in modifying and improving equipment and procedures during the course of the study.

Received for publication May 4, 1964. Accepted for publication June 30, 1964.