Editorial

2 pages, 150 KiB

Open AccessEditorial

Special Issue on Soil Erosion: Dust Control and Sand Stabilization (Volume II)

by Itzhak Katra

Appl. Sci. 2023, 13(3), 1727; https://doi.org/10.3390/app13031727 - 29 Jan 2023

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This is the second volume of the Special Issue on Soil Erosion: Dust Control and Sand Stabilization, following the first volume published in 2020 [...] Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Soil Erosion: Dust Control and Sand Stabilization, Volume II)

Research

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37 pages, 12426 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Evaluation of Protein and Polysaccharide Biopolymers as Dust Suppressants on Mine Soils: Laboratory Experiments

by Johannes L. Sieger, Bernd G. Lottermoser and Justus Freer

Appl. Sci. 2023, 13(2), 1010; https://doi.org/10.3390/app13021010 - 11 Jan 2023

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2137

Abstract

Polysaccharide biopolymers have been shown to be alternatives to established dust suppressants. This study investigates the potential of 14 polysaccharides and proteins from diverse botanical (corn, pea, wheat, cellulose, potato, and fava bean) and animal (pig, chicken, and cow) sources as dust suppressants [...] Read more.

Polysaccharide biopolymers have been shown to be alternatives to established dust suppressants. This study investigates the potential of 14 polysaccharides and proteins from diverse botanical (corn, pea, wheat, cellulose, potato, and fava bean) and animal (pig, chicken, and cow) sources as dust suppressants on two mine soils (medium-grained sand and fine-grained silica sand). Results of laboratory tests demonstrate that the type of biopolymer and its concentration have a significant effect on penetration resistance, moisture retention, and crust thickness. Depending on biopolymer type, concentration, and soil type, moisture retention range from 1.0 to 19.5 wt% (control, C_medium-gr. = 2.5 and C_fine-gr. = 6.9 wt%), penetration resistance from 1.7 to 37.9 N (C_medium-gr. = 1.5 and C_fine-gr. = 1.7 N), and crust thickness from 0.3 to 18.1 mm (C_medium-gr. and C_fine-gr. = 0 mm). Proteins form crusts with penetration resistances similar to polysaccharides but mainly require higher concentrations than polysaccharides. Based on the test results, xanthan gum, carboxymethyl cellulose, corn starch, fava bean protein concentrate, and plasma protein exhibit the highest potential to act as dust suppressants. This research contributes to evaluating biopolymers as environmentally friendly soil amendments that may be used to control fugitive dust emissions from large, barren surfaces. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Soil Erosion: Dust Control and Sand Stabilization, Volume II)

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19 pages, 3567 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effectiveness of Food Processing By-Products as Dust Suppressants for Exposed Mine Soils: Results from Laboratory Experiments and Field Trials

by Justus Freer, Maximilian Lübeck, Johannes L. Sieger, Bernd G. Lottermoser and Marius Braun

Appl. Sci. 2022, 12(22), 11551; https://doi.org/10.3390/app122211551 - 14 Nov 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1344

Abstract

In this study, the effectiveness of biodegradable food processing by-products (chicory vinasses, corn steep liquor, decantation syrup, and palatinose molasses) as dust suppressants on mine soils has been precisely quantified using controlled laboratory experiments and field trials. Laboratory experiments using a wind tunnel [...] Read more.

In this study, the effectiveness of biodegradable food processing by-products (chicory vinasses, corn steep liquor, decantation syrup, and palatinose molasses) as dust suppressants on mine soils has been precisely quantified using controlled laboratory experiments and field trials. Laboratory experiments using a wind tunnel indicate that rainfall intensity and repetitive wetting and drying cycles affect the by-products’ effectiveness. In addition, field trials conducted using soil plots at an open-pit lignite mine (Germany) demonstrate that the tested biomaterials can effectively reduce dust emissions under field conditions, despite the fact that rainfall led to the leaching of the applied biomaterials, decreasing the additives’ concentrations on the soil surface and impairing the materials’ effectiveness to suppress wind erosion. Thus, food processing by-products may be used for short-term dust mitigation at mine sites and represent environmentally benign alternatives to dust control chemicals detrimental to the environment. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Soil Erosion: Dust Control and Sand Stabilization, Volume II)

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23 pages, 6037 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Part 2: Stabilization/Containment of Radiological Particle Contamination to Enhance First Responder, Early Phase Worker, and Public Safety

by Matthew Magnuson, Terry Stilman, Shannon Serre, John Archer, Ryan James, Xiaoyan Xia, Mitchell Lawrence, Erin Tamargo, Hadas Raveh-Amit and Avi Sharon

Appl. Sci. 2022, 12(8), 3861; https://doi.org/10.3390/app12083861 - 11 Apr 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2072

Abstract

The application of stabilization technologies to a radiologically contaminated surface has the potential for reducing the spread of contamination and, as a result, decreasing worker exposure to radiation. Three stabilization technologies, calcium chloride (CaCl₂), flame retardant Phos-Chek^® MVP-Fx, and Soil [...] Read more.

The application of stabilization technologies to a radiologically contaminated surface has the potential for reducing the spread of contamination and, as a result, decreasing worker exposure to radiation. Three stabilization technologies, calcium chloride (CaCl₂), flame retardant Phos-Chek^® MVP-Fx, and Soil₂O^TM were investigated to evaluate their ability to reduce the resuspension and tracking of radiological contamination during response activities such as vehicle and foot traffic. Concrete pavers, asphalt pavers, and sandy soil walking paths were used as test surfaces, along with simulated fallout material (SFM) tagged with radiostrontium (Sr-85) applied as the contaminant. Radiological activities were measured using gamma spectrometry before and after simulated vehicle operation and foot traffic experiments, conducted with each stabilization technology and without application as a nonstabilized control. These measurements were acquired separately for each combination of surface and vehicle/foot traffic experiment. The resulting data describes the extent of SFM removed from each surface onto the tires or boots, the extent of SFM transferred to adjacent surfaces, and the residual SFM remaining on the tires or boots after each experiment. The type of surface and response worker actions influenced the stabilization results. For instance, when walked over, less than 2% of particles were removed from nonstabilized concrete, 4% from asphalt, and 40% of the particles were removed from the sand surface. By contrast, for vehicle experiments, ~40% of particles were again removed from the sand, but 7% and 15% from concrete and asphalt, respectively. In most cases, the stabilization technologies did provide improved stabilization. The improvement was related to the type of surface, worker actions, and stabilizer; a statistical analysis of these variables is presented. Overall, the results suggest an ability to utilize these technologies during the planning and implementation of response activities involving foot and vehicle traffic. In addition, resuspension of aerosolizable range SFM was monitored during walking path foot traffic experiments, and all stabilizing agents decreased the measured radioactivity, with the Soil₂O^TM decrease being 3 fold, whereas the CaCl₂ and Phos-Chek MVP-Fx surfaces generated no detectable radioactivity. Overall, these results suggest that the stabilization technologies decrease the availability of particles respirable by response workers under these conditions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Soil Erosion: Dust Control and Sand Stabilization, Volume II)

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13 pages, 2684 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Limiting Wind-Induced Resuspension of Radioactively Contaminated Particles to Enhance First Responder, Early Phase Worker and Public Safety—Part 1

by Hadas Raveh-Amit, Avi Sharon, Itzhak Katra, Terry Stilman, Shannon Serre, John Archer and Matthew Magnuson

Appl. Sci. 2022, 12(5), 2463; https://doi.org/10.3390/app12052463 - 26 Feb 2022

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1560

Abstract

An accidental radiological release or the operation of a radiological dispersal device (RDD) may lead to the contamination of a large area. Such scenarios may lead to health and safety risks associated with the resuspension of contaminated particles due to aeolian (wind-induced) soil [...] Read more.

An accidental radiological release or the operation of a radiological dispersal device (RDD) may lead to the contamination of a large area. Such scenarios may lead to health and safety risks associated with the resuspension of contaminated particles due to aeolian (wind-induced) soil erosion and tracking activities. Stabilization technologies limiting resuspension are therefore needed to avoid spreading contamination and to reduce exposures to first responders and decontamination workers. Resuspension testing was performed on soils from two sites of the Negev Desert following treatment with three different stabilization materials: calcium chloride, magnesium chloride, and saltwater from the Dead Sea in Israel. Two and six weeks post-treatment, resuspension was examined by inducing wind-driven resuspension and quantitatively measuring particle emission from the soils using a boundary-layer wind tunnel system. Experiments were conducted under typical wind velocities of this region. Treating the soils reduced resuspension fluxes of particulate matter < 10 µm (PM₁₀) and saltating (sand-sized) particles to around background levels. Resuspension suppression efficiencies from the treated soils were a minimum of 94% for all three stabilizers, and the Dead Sea salt solution yielded 100% efficiency over all wind velocities tested. The impact of the salt solutions (brine) was directly related to the salt treatment rather than the wetting of the soils. Stabilization was still observed six weeks post-treatment, supporting that this technique can effectively limit resuspension for a prolonged duration, allowing sufficient time for decision making and management of further actions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Soil Erosion: Dust Control and Sand Stabilization, Volume II)

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14 pages, 2396 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Asynchrony Drives Plant and Animal Community Stability in Mediterranean Coastal Dunes

by Tania L.F. Bird, Pua Bar (Kutiel), Elli Groner and Amos Bouskila

Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(13), 6214; https://doi.org/10.3390/app11136214 - 05 Jul 2021

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2263

Abstract

Substantial evidence now suggests that a positive diversity–stability relationship exists. Yet few studies examine the facets of biodiversity that contribute to this relationship, and empirical research is predominantly conducted on grassland communities under controlled conditions. We investigate the roles of species richness, environmental [...] Read more.

Substantial evidence now suggests that a positive diversity–stability relationship exists. Yet few studies examine the facets of biodiversity that contribute to this relationship, and empirical research is predominantly conducted on grassland communities under controlled conditions. We investigate the roles of species richness, environmental condition (vegetation cover), asynchrony, and weighted population stability in driving community stability across multiple taxa. We used data from a Long-term Ecological Research project to investigate temporal stability of annual plants, beetles, reptiles, and rodents in Nizzanim Coastal Sand Dune Nature Reserve in Israel. All four taxa had a strong positive relationship between asynchrony and community stability. Only rodents showed a positive richness–stability relationship. Perennial plant cover had a significant relationship with community stability for three taxa, but the direction of the correlation varied. Asynchrony had a stronger relationship with perennial plant cover than it did with richness for both plants and beetles. We suggest that community stability is driven by asynchrony for flora as well as fauna. Stability appears to be determined by species’ interactions and their responses to the environment, and not always by diversity. This has important consequences for understanding the effects of environmental degradation on ecosystem stability and productivity, which have destabilizing consequences beyond biodiversity loss. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Soil Erosion: Dust Control and Sand Stabilization, Volume II)

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14 pages, 4210 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Wind-Tunnel Studies on Sand Sedimentation Around Wind-Break Walls of Lanxin High-Speed Railway II and Its Prevention

by Hongchao Dun, Guowei Xin, Ning Huang, Guangtian Shi and Jie Zhang

Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(13), 5989; https://doi.org/10.3390/app11135989 - 27 Jun 2021

Cited by 13 | Viewed by 2300

Abstract

Wind-break walls along Lanxin High-Speed Railway II were studied and approved as effective measures to reduce strong wind damage to the high-speed trains. The results show that sand sedimentation on the leeward sides of wind-break walls along the railway within Gobi Desert could [...] Read more.

Wind-break walls along Lanxin High-Speed Railway II were studied and approved as effective measures to reduce strong wind damage to the high-speed trains. The results show that sand sedimentation on the leeward sides of wind-break walls along the railway within Gobi Desert could significantly threaten the operation safety of running trains. Different from the current sand sedimentation prevention measures without adequate consideration of the deposition process of airborne sand particles, this study revealed the mechanism of sand sedimentation on the leeward sides of three wind-break walls within different terrains. A series of wind-tunnel experiments were carried out to measure the horizontal velocity, number density, transport flux, and deposition rate of sand particles, and it was found that the horizontal speed of sand particles was first increased and then decreased on the railway track, and the peak speed over the concave subgrade was much smaller than those over convex and flat subgrades. The number density and horizontal sand flux were largest over the concave subgrade, and were the smallest over the convex subgrade. The sand particle deposition rate and distribution were also the largest within the concave subgrade, and some measures were also proposed to prevent sand sedimentation on the leeward sides of wind-break walls. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Soil Erosion: Dust Control and Sand Stabilization, Volume II)

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14 pages, 1506 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

The Importance of Annual Plants and Multi-Scalar Analysis for Understanding Coastal Dune Stabilization Process in the Mediterranean

by Pua Bar Kutiel and Michael Dorman

Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(6), 2821; https://doi.org/10.3390/app11062821 - 22 Mar 2021

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1569

Abstract

Since ecological phenomena and patterns vary with scale, scalar analysis is a developing practice in ecology. Scalar analysis is most valuable in heterogeneous environments, since habitat heterogeneity is a key factor in determining biodiversity. One such case can be seen in the changes [...] Read more.

Since ecological phenomena and patterns vary with scale, scalar analysis is a developing practice in ecology. Scalar analysis is most valuable in heterogeneous environments, since habitat heterogeneity is a key factor in determining biodiversity. One such case can be seen in the changes in annual vegetation in coastal sand dune systems. Most studies in these environments are carried out at the dune scale, comparing dunes at different stabilization states. However, a broader understanding of dune stabilization processes requires analyses at the finer scales of dune slope aspects (directions of exposure to wind) and patches (under and between woody perennial species). Here, we present the results of a study that combines the three scales (dune, slope, and patch) in the Mediterranean coastal dune systems in Israel. Through this multi-scalar analysis, we are able to describe processes at the finer patch and aspect scale and explain how they shape patterns at the dune scale. The results indicate that the dune scale exposes the differences in annual plant characteristics between mobile and fixed dunes, their slopes and patches and the reorganization and spatial distribution of annual plants within mobile and fixed dunes during the stabilization process. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Soil Erosion: Dust Control and Sand Stabilization, Volume II)

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11 pages, 1753 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Evaluation of Groundwater Salinization Risk Following Application of Anti-Dust Emission Solutions on Unpaved Roads in Arid and Semiarid Regions

by Meni Ben-Hur, Reut Cohen, Michael Danon, Uri Nachshon and Itzhak Katra

Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(4), 1771; https://doi.org/10.3390/app11041771 - 17 Feb 2021

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1176

Abstract

Unpaved roads could be a significant source of dust emission. A common and effective practice to suppress this emission is the application of brine solution on these roads. However, this application could increase the risk of water source salinization in arid and semiarid [...] Read more.

Unpaved roads could be a significant source of dust emission. A common and effective practice to suppress this emission is the application of brine solution on these roads. However, this application could increase the risk of water source salinization in arid and semiarid regions, such as Israel. The general objective of the present study was to investigate the potential effects of treated wastewater (TWW), fresh water (FW), and brine applications as anti-dust emission solutions on water source salinization in these regions. A rainfall simulator experiment and a mass balance model were used for this goal. The TWW loaded the highest amounts of Cl, Na, and Ca+Mg on the unpaved roads, while the brine loaded higher amounts of Cl and Ca+Mg than the FW, and ~0 Na. In the rainfall experiment, runoff was not formed, and ~100% of the loaded amounts were leached downwards by rain, indicating a negligible salinization risk to surface water. We estimated that the average increases in the Cl concentrations in the modeled aquifer, following TWW, brine, and FW applications, were low: 1.2–1.6, 0.58–0.8, and 0.32–0.4 mg L⁻¹, respectively. Thus, the solution selection for preventing dust emission should be based on the total cost of the solution application. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Soil Erosion: Dust Control and Sand Stabilization, Volume II)

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11 pages, 3231 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Dust Emission Thresholds in Loess Soil Under Different Saltation Fluxes

by Aviv Rubinstein, Meni Ben-Hur and Itzhak Katra

Appl. Sci. 2020, 10(17), 5949; https://doi.org/10.3390/app10175949 - 27 Aug 2020

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1937

Abstract

Soil-derived dust particles produced by aeolian (wind) processes have significant impacts on humans and the Earth’s systems. The soil particle size distribution is a major soil characteristic in dust emission models. Yet empirical information on the dependence of dust emission thresholds on soil [...] Read more.

Soil-derived dust particles produced by aeolian (wind) processes have significant impacts on humans and the Earth’s systems. The soil particle size distribution is a major soil characteristic in dust emission models. Yet empirical information on the dependence of dust emission thresholds on soil particle size distribution is still lacking. The main goal of this study was to explore the dust emission threshold from semi-arid loess soil samples by a targeted wind-tunnel experiment. The results clearly show that the dust emission threshold is associated with the saltation threshold with no distinct direct aerodynamic lifting of the loose dust particle. The dust flux depends on the amount of the clay-silt fraction in the soil, the shear velocity, and the saltation flux under certain shear velocity. The study aimed to advance our understating of the dust emission processes, and to provide empirical information for parametrization in dust emission models and for management strategy of soils in preventing dust emission. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Soil Erosion: Dust Control and Sand Stabilization, Volume II)

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Review

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14 pages, 788 KiB

Open AccessReview

Biophysical Controls That Make Erosion-Transported Soil Carbon a Source of Greenhouse Gases

by Rattan Lal

Appl. Sci. 2022, 12(16), 8372; https://doi.org/10.3390/app12168372 - 22 Aug 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1607

Abstract

Soil erosion is a selective process which removes the light fraction comprised of soil organic carbon (SOC) and colloidal particles of clay and fine silt. Thus, a large amount of carbon (C) is transported by erosional processes, and its fate (i.e., emission, redistribution, [...] Read more.

Soil erosion is a selective process which removes the light fraction comprised of soil organic carbon (SOC) and colloidal particles of clay and fine silt. Thus, a large amount of carbon (C) is transported by erosional processes, and its fate (i.e., emission, redistribution, burial, and translocation into aquatic ecosystems) has a strong impact on the global carbon cycle. The processes affecting the dynamics of soil C emission as greenhouse gases (i.e., CO_2, CH₄, N₂O), or its deposition and burial, vary among different stages of soil erosion: detachment, transport, redistribution, deposition or burial, and aquatic ecosystems. Specific biogeochemical and biogeophysical transformative processes which make erosion-transported carbon a source of C emission are determined by the type of erosion (rill vs. inter-rill in hydric and saltation erosion vs. air-borne dust in aeolian erosion), soil temperature and moisture regimes, initial SOC content, texture, raindrop-stable aggregates and water repellency, crusting, slope gradient, physiography and the slope-based flow patterns, landscape position, and the attendant aerobic vs. anaerobic conditions within the landscape where the sediment-laden C is being carried by alluvial and aeolian processes. As much as 20–40% of eroded SOC may be oxidized after erosion, and erosion-induced redistribution may be a large source of C. In addition, human activities (e.g., land use and management) have altered—and are altering—the redistribution pattern of sediments and C being transported. In addition to O₂ availability, other factors affecting emissions from aquatic ecosystems include sub-surface currents and high winds, which may also affect CH₄ efflux. The transport by aeolian processes is affected by wind speed, soil texture and structure, vegetation cover, etc. Lighter fractions (SOC, clay, and fine silt) are also selectively removed in the wind-blown dust. The SOC-ER of dust originating from sand-rich soil may range from 2 to 41. A majority of the C (and nutrients) lost by aeolian erosion may be removed by saltation. Even over a short period of three seasons, wind erosion can remove up to 25% of total organic C (TOC) and total N (TN) from the top 5 cm of soil. A large proportion of C being transported by hydric and aeolian erosional processes is emitted into the atmosphere as CO₂ and CH₄, along with N₂O. While some of the C buried at the depositional site or transported deep into the aquatic ecosystems may be encapsulated within reformed soil aggregates or protected against microbial processes, even the buried SOC may be vulnerable to future loss by land use, management, alkalinity or pH, the time lag between burial and subsequent loss, mineralogical properties, and global warming. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Soil Erosion: Dust Control and Sand Stabilization, Volume II)

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13 pages, 644 KiB

Open AccessReview

Fate of Soil Carbon Transported by Erosional Processes

by Rattan Lal

Appl. Sci. 2022, 12(1), 48; https://doi.org/10.3390/app12010048 - 21 Dec 2021

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2651

Abstract

The accelerated process of soil erosion by water and wind, responsible for transport and redistribution of a large amount of carbon-enriched sediments, has a strong impact on the global carbon budget. The breakdown of aggregates by erosivity of water (raindrop, runoff) and wind [...] Read more.

The accelerated process of soil erosion by water and wind, responsible for transport and redistribution of a large amount of carbon-enriched sediments, has a strong impact on the global carbon budget. The breakdown of aggregates by erosivity of water (raindrop, runoff) and wind weakens the stability of soil C (organic and inorganic) and aggravates its vulnerability to degradation processes, which lead to the emission of greenhouse gases (GHGs) including CO₂, CH₄, and N₂O, depending on the hydrothermal regimes. Nonetheless, a part of the eroded soil C may be buried, reaggregated and protected against decomposition. In coastal steep lands, (e.g., Taiwan, New Zealand) with a short distance to burial of sediments in the ocean, erosion may be a sink of C. In large watersheds (i.e., Amazon, Mississippi, Nile, Ganges, Indus, etc.) with a long distance to the ocean, however, most of the C being transported is prone to mineralization/decomposition during the transit period and is a source of GHGs (CO₂, CH₄, N₂O). Land use, soil management and cropping systems must be prudently chosen to prevent erosion by both hydric and aeolian processes. The so-called plague of the soil, accelerated erosion by water and wind, must be effectively curtailed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Soil Erosion: Dust Control and Sand Stabilization, Volume II)

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