Size distributions of saltating grains: An important variable in the production of suspended particles

Size distributions were obtained for airborne particles in the saltation la yer for cases where the ratio of the vertical flux of suspended particles t o the horizontal flux of particles of all sizes is known. The data can be u sed to test theories of emissions of suspended particles. All of our sample d erodible soils with textures of sand, loamy sand and loam had saltation-g rain mean particle sizes in the range 117-160 mu m. Our clay soil had salta tion mean particle sizes ranging from 560 to 584 mu m. In the light of thes e data, we interpret the results found previously as supporting sandblastin g rather than direct aerodynamic entrainment. The data are consistent with sandblasting theories of Shao et al. and of Alfaro. Copyright (C) 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.