Abstract
Because of human activities, soil erosion has been one of the most concerning issues in Malaysia in the past decades. This study aimed to estimate the amount of soil loss and sediment yield at Curtin University, Malaysia by using the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE) and the Modified Universal Soil Loss Equation (MUSLE), respectively. The parameters of RUSLE include rainfall erosivity factor (R), soil erodibility factor (K), slope length factor (L), slope steepness factor (S), cover-management factor (C) and support practice factor (P). The rainfall data (10 years) from the Sarawak Meteorological Department was used to determine the R-factor. The K-factor was determined by sieve analysis, hydrometer analysis, the Standard Proctor Test (SPT), and organic content testing. The L-and S-factors were performed by measuring on site and using Google Earth. The C-and P-factors were based on the ground surface cover condition (bare soil in this study). In the MUSLE, the runoff factor comprises V and Qp, while the other parameters are the same as in the RUSLE. The runoff depth, V, is equivalent to the rainfall intensity. Rainfall intensities were recorded by using a rain gauge. The highest rainfall intensity was used for runoff depth. The Rational method has been utilized to calculate Qp. The amount of soil loss estimated was 119.97 tons/ha/year and the sediment yield amount estimated was 0.76 ton/storm event in Curtin University, Malaysia.
Highlights
Soil erosion is one of the global environmental issues in Asian countries
This study aimed to estimate the amount of soil loss and sediment yield at Curtin University Malaysia in Miri, Sarawak
Curtin University, Malaysia is located in Miri town, which is part of Northern Sarawak, Malaysia at Latitude 4°30’ N and Longitude 114°01’
Summary
Soil erosion is one of the global environmental issues in Asian countries. Due to the development trend in Asia, many studies are focused on soil erosion topics. India, and Indonesia are the top three Asian countries experiencing high soil erosion, with an erosion area of 470,000 km 200000 km2, and 76,000 km, respectively. The main reason for soil erosion in these countries is due to improper control practices in agriculture [1]. The amount of soil loss and sediment yield from the mine tailing dumps in Samgwang mine, Korea, was estimated at around 75,351 tons/yr and 40,188 tons/yr, respectively [2]. Rapid development in Malaysia promotes policies for agriculture and tourism, affecting the land cover of the Cameron Highlands and bringing soil erosion and water pollution problems to the upland region [3]
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