Simulations of spatial variability in particle-size emissions during wind erosion events
Article
Article Title | Simulations of spatial variability in particle-size |
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ERA Journal ID | 1720 |
Article Category | Article |
Authors | Butler, Harry J. (Author), McTainsh, Grant H. (Author) and Hogarth, William L. (Author) |
Journal Title | Earth Surface Processes and Landforms |
Journal Citation | 37 (13), pp. 1362-1375 |
Number of Pages | 14 |
Year | 2012 |
Place of Publication | United Kingdom |
ISSN | 0197-9337 |
1096-9837 | |
Digital Object Identifier (DOI) | https://doi.org/10.1002/esp.3245 |
Web Address (URL) | http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/esp.3245/abstract |
Abstract | This study simulates how spatial variations in particle-size emissions from a playa affect bulk and size-resolved dust concentration profiles during two contrasting wind erosion events (a small local and a large regional event) in the Channel Country, Lake Eyre Basin, Australia. The regional event had higher dust concentration as a result of stronger frontal winds and higher erodibility across the playa. For each event, two emission scenarios are simulated to determine if measured size-resolved dust concentration profiles can be explained by spatial variability in source area emissions. The first scenario assumes that particle-size emissions from source areas occur at a uniform rate, while the second scenario assumes that particle-size emissions vary between and within source areas. The uniform emission scenario, reproduced measured bulk dust concentration profiles (R2 = 093 regional and R2 = 081 local), however simulated size-resolved dust concentration profiles had poor statistical fits to measured size-resolved profiles for each size class (the highest were R2 = 05 regional and R2 = 03 local). For the differential particle-size emission scenario, the fit to the measured bulk dust concentration profiles is improved (R2 = 097 regional and R2 = 083 local). However, the fit to the size-resolved profiles improved dramatically, with the lowest being R2 = 089 (regional) and R2 = 080 (local). Particle-size emission models should therefore be tested against both bulk and size-resolved dust concentration profiles, since if only bulk dust concentration profiles are used model performance may be over-stated. As the source areas in the first 90 m upwind of the tower were similar for both events, the percentage contributions of each particle-size class to total emissions can be compared. The contribution of each particle-size class was similar even though the wind speed, turbulence and dust concentrations were significantly different; suggesting that the contribution of each particle-size to the total emitted dusts is not related to wind speed and turbulence. |
Keywords | wind erosion; dust plume; dust sources; dust particle-size |
ANZSRC Field of Research 2020 | 370901. Geomorphology and earth surface processes |
410601. Land capability and soil productivity | |
370103. Atmospheric aerosols | |
Public Notes | Files associated with this item cannot be displayed due to copyright restrictions. |
Byline Affiliations | Australian Centre for Sustainable Catchments |
Griffith University | |
University of Newcastle | |
Institution of Origin | University of Southern Queensland |
https://research.usq.edu.au/item/q1637/simulations-of-spatial-variability-in-particle-size-emissions-during-wind-erosion-events
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