The effect of slope incline on the characteristics of particles ejected during the soil splash phenomenon

Abstract

Slope incline is one of the factors affecting the soil water erosion process. Most of the work to date related to erosion has been on large-scale studies based on rainfall events or laboratory investigations with the use of simulators, where the displaced mass of soil was determined. However, there is a lack of studies providing information about splash erosion on slopes in relation to single-drop impact methodology, that allows for the examination of the basic processes of the phenomenon. Thus, the aim of this study was a quantitative description of the splash phenomenon on a simulated slope affected by a single drop impact, with respect to the influence of slope incline on the number of ejected particles and their characteristics. The investigation was carried out using three types of soil with different textures in moistened conditions (i.e. pressure head corresponding to 1.0 kPa) and three variants of slope incline: 5°, 15°, and 30°. A drop with a diameter of 4.2 mm was allowed to fall freely on soil surface with kinetic energy equal 1.42 mJ. The splash phenomenon was registered by a set of three synchronized high-speed cameras and combined with PTV software (Particle Tracking Velocimetry) to identify and track displaced particles. The methodology used made it possible to observe the course of the phenomenon and determine the following quantities: the number and size of ejected particles, ejection velocity and angle, displacement range, and also the contribution of the kinetic energy of the falling drop transferred to the ejected particles. The measured quantities were specified for the particles ejected in upslope and downslope directions. It was found that: (i) the interaction between different slope inclines and the particle size distribution of the soils influenced the surface conditions, which had a significant effect on the course of the splash phenomenon; (ii) the number of ejected particles decreased with the increasing slope, which was directly related to limited ejection in the upslope direction; (iii) the influence of slope incline was mostly visible in the ejection angle, range of displacement and sizes of ejected particles; (iv) the portion of the falling drop energy transferred to ejected particles decreased with increasing slope. The obtained results could enhance the development of physical models of splash erosion. A more thorough understanding and better recognition of the mechanisms governing this phenomenon at all stages could contribute to the development of more effective methods for protecting soil against erosion.