Splash Erosion by Simulated Rainfall on Eight Soils in Nebraska

The objectives of the present investigation are as follows: (i)to relate some of the chemical and physical properties of soil that influence the soil erodibility or the “K” values in the universal soil loss equation, and (ii) to compare the “K” values of soils with the amount of soil splash from the simulated rainfall. Eight soils, from the surface 0 – 7 cm depth, from various sections of Nebraska were sample and brought into the laboratory for the purpose of studying splash erosion and the factors associated with it. The soils represented three Argiudolls, two Argiustolls, one Haplustoll, one Ustorthent, and one Psamment in the Seventh Approximation Classification. The eight soils were subjected to simulated rainfall at high, medium, and low intensities. High-speed motion pictures (1800 frames per second) were taken during the impact of raindrops on the soil surfaces. Advisor: Andrew P. Mazura