Usability of water sensitive paper and new parametric approaches in assessment of splash erosion

Splash erosion, the first step in water erosion process, occurs as results of collusion of rain drops with soil aggregates and splashing soil particulates in to the air. The objectives of this dissertation study were i) to test usability of water sensitive paper (WSP) in assessment of soil and water losses due to splash erosion, ii) to evaluate new parametric approaches (D10 diameter and surface coverage rate) in measuring splash erosion, iii) to map spatial variability patterns of soil and water losses using geostatistical methods, and iv) to determine the effects of polyviniylalcohol (PVA) applications on soil and water losses and suggested parametric indicators. Soil and water losses by splash erosion were determined in PVA-treated three soils with different textural compositions (clay, loam and sandy loam) under artificial rainfall conditions as a function of slope, splash distance and direction, and distribution patterns within the splash area were analyzed. A significant positive correlation between D10 diameter and surface coverage rate explained that the higher the D10 diameter, the higher the surface coverage rate. Amounts of soil lost by splash erosion was the highest in clay textured soil, but the lowest in sandy loam textured soil. About half of the splashed soil material moved in the direction of downslope, 34% in the sides and 17% in upslope directions. PVA application reduced D10, surface coverage rate and the amount of splashed soil material with the rates of 29, 47 and 64% respectively. It was concluded that soil and water losses by splash erosion were significantly affected by soil texture, PVA application, initial soil moisture content, direction and splash distance.