Relating Observations of Natural Wind Erosion Events with Field Wind Tunnel Measurements

Portable field wind tunnels have been used to quantify wind erosion and dust emissions and evaluating the effects of land management on undisturbed and disturbed field surfaces for many years. However, direct comparisons of natural wind erosion events with portable wind tunnel measurements on the same fields are rare. In this study, we compare measurements of saltation and dust emission fluxes of a bare fine sandy loam soil collected during several natural wind erosion events at Big Spring, Texas with measurements taken using a portable wind tunnel at the same site. Saltation in the field was quantified with BSNE and MWAC saltation samplers. Field dust emissions were measured using isokinetic active dust monitors at heights of 2, 5 and 10 m and by using the same isokinetic slot sampler as used in the portable wind tunnel. The comparison of the slot sampler in the field and in the wind tunnel will be highlighted.