Wind tunnel calibration of the USGS dust deposition sampler: Sampling efficiency and grain size correction

Abstract

Wind tunnel experiments were conducted with the USGS (United States Geological Survey) dust deposition sampler to test its efficiency for dust deposition and its capacity to collect representative samples for grain size analysis. Efficiency for dust deposition was ascertained relative to a water surface, which was considered the best alternative for simulating a perfectly absorbent surface. Capacity to collect representative samples for grain size analysis was ascertained by comparing the grain size distribution of the collected dust to that of the original dust. Three versions were tested: an empty sampler, a sampler filled with glass marbles, and a sampler filled with water. Efficiencies and capacity to collect representative samples were ascertained for five wind velocities (range: 1–5 m s−1) and seven grain size classes (range: 10–80 μm). All samplers showed a rapid drop in collection efficiency with increasing wind speed. Efficiencies are low, in the order of 10% or less for most common wind speeds over the continents. Efficiency also drops as the particles become coarser. Adding glass marbles to the sampler increases its efficiency, protects the settled dust from resuspension, and minimizes outsplash during rainfall. The sediment collected by the sampler is finer than the original dust. The bias in the grain size is more expressed in fine particle fractions than in coarse particle fractions. The performance of the USGS sampler is rather low when compared to other dust deposition samplers, but a procedure is provided that allows calculation of the original grain size distribution and dust deposition quantities.