Erosion Control Methods Research Articles

Nature-based solution using a bioengineering strategy for soil erosion control in tropical climate with intense rainfall patterns

BackgroundIn the face of escalating soil erosion exacerbated by intense rainfall in tropical climates, the quest for sustainable and effective erosion control techniques is paramount. Nature-based solutions (NbS) using bioengineering strategies have emerged as a potential avenue, yet their efficacy and adaptability in such environmental conditions are not fully explored. ObjectiveThis study seeks to bridge the research gap by evaluating the effectiveness of a bioengineering approach, which involved a strategic plantation of Pigeonpea, Sesame, and Cowpea, as an NbS for soil erosion control under the challenging conditions of tropical climates. It emphasizes the rhizospheric characteristics of these species and their potential to offer a sustainable and environmentally friendly solution to soil erosion. MethodsEmploying a random block experimental design, the study compared the performance of Pigeonpea, Sesame, and Cowpea against conventional biosynthetic erosion control methods across various plots. Over 25 rainfall events, comprehensive data collection was undertaken, encompassing 150 measures of precipitation, surface runoff, and soil loss mass. Results: The findings reveal bioengineering solution's comparable, if not superior, effectiveness to conventional techniques, marked by minimal soil loss and enhanced water infiltration capabilities. Analysis of Covariance showcased a very large effect size, significantly underscoring bioengineering's efficacy in soil loss control. Notably, bioengineering's contribution extends beyond erosion control, fostering aquifer recharge and preventing sedimentation in water bodies. ConclusionsThis strategic plantation of Pigeonpea, Sesame, and Cowpea stands out as a promising NbS for soil erosion control in tropical climates, characterized by its sustainable approach and minimal environmental footprint. The study advocates for the broader integration of Pigeonpea, Sesame, and Cowpea in soil conservation practices, highlighting its potential to transform erosion control strategies towards greater environmental sustainability and effectiveness.

The soft overcoming the hard-an erosion control method for elbow: Experiments and numerical simulations

A novel approach to alleviate erosion by adding water, based on the principle of the soft overcoming the hard, was investigated through self-designed erosion experiments and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations. The results demonstrate that adding a liquid phase to the elbow significantly reduces the erosion rate. The erosion inhibition efficiency is positively correlated with the liquid phase content, reaching 81.56 % in the most severe erosion zone during the experiments. The liquid film can increase the drag force and reduce the particles' impact velocity. Rather than exacerbating erosion, the liquid film enables easier particle accumulation and mitigates erosion instead.

Studying Methods of No-till in the Garabagh Plain

The research results are presented and a comparative assessment of the methods of no-till soil cultivation in the Karabakh Plain is given. The advantages and disadvantages of moldboard tillage, direct sowing and the effect of hoeing a plowed or milled field on the loss of NPK per 1 ha as a result of erosion were studied. The author concludes that direct seeding is one way to reduce erosion. This must be used along with other soil erosion control methods.

Morphometric Analysis Using Remote Sensing and Geographical Information System: A Case Study of Nawagarh Watershed of Chhattisgarh, India

The study highlights the suitability of a GIS-based approach for evaluating morphometric parameters. It focuses on the quantitative analysis of morphometric characteristics within thirteen sub-watersheds of the Nawagarh watershed, which originates from the Seonath river catchment in the Mahanadi basin in Chhattisgarh, India. The Nawagarh watershed spans an area of 2647.27 km2. Its outlet is located at 21°46'10" N Latitude and 81° 48’43” E Longitude. The Nawagarh watershed covers four districts in Chhattisgarh - Kabirdham, Bemetara, Baloda Bazar, and Mungeli. The analysis reveals the relative qualities of the sub-watersheds in terms of hydrological response. The Nawagarh watershed features a dendritic drainage network with 2760 streams of different orders. The slope of the land directly affects water absorption and drainage. High relief ratio 0.032 in SWD1 and SWD3 indicates rapid concentration, rapid stream flow, and greater susceptibility to erosion than other sub watersheds. The drainage density is 0.80 km-1, which is close to 1 km-1, indicating that the basin has a nearly high drainage density, which demonstrate that the location with impermeable weak subsurface material and has high relief. The elongated shape with the values of form factor (0.39), circulatory ratio (0.28) and elongation ratio (0.69), indicated that the Nawagarh watershed is more elongated with lower peak flow of long duration having low permeability. The drainage density in the basin is relatively high, suggesting a significant drainage network. The study emphasizes the need for effective erosion control methods in the Nawagarh watershed to protect the land.

Assessment of Some of Wind Erosion Control Methods in Desert Areas (Case Study: Kashan Desert)

Assessment of Some of Wind Erosion Control Methods in Desert Areas (Case Study: Kashan Desert)

Determinants of Soil Fertility Information Needs and Access Among Smallholder Farmers in the Central Highlands of Kenya

ABSTRACT Soil fertility decline is a significant challenge to the agroecosystems in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Accurate and demand-driven soil fertility information is vital for improving agricultural production. We achieved two objectives, i) identifying soil fertility information needs and access and ii) assessing socioeconomic determinants of soil fertility information needs and access among smallholder farmers in the central highlands of Kenya. We sampled 397 smallholder farming households in Murang’a and Tharaka-Nithi counties. We found high soil fertility information need indices among farmers in the two regions. The main soil fertility information needs for farmers in Murang’a County were knowing the correct method of manure application, knowing sources of information, and how to determine soil fertility levels. In Tharaka-Nithi County, farmers’ information priorities were how to apply conservation agriculture, knowing soil erosion control methods, and how to apply animal manure. We found mixed results on soil fertility information access ranging from low to high across different information items and study sites. The binary logistic regression results highlight the influence of farmer perceptions and other factors on soil fertility information need and access. To promote soil fertility information access, agricultural policies should consider site-specific information priorities and socioeconomic contexts.

Long-term effects of Cement Kiln Dust (CKD) on erosion control of a soil slope

ABSTRACT Cement kiln dust (CKD) is a significant fine powdery material generated from the Portland cement manufacturing process. The United States environmental protection agency (EPA) declared that using CKD is not harmful to humans’ health and the environment. The primary usage of CKD is recycled back into the cement kiln as raw feed. CKD has various applications such as water treatment, waste disposal, agriculture, construction, soil stabilization, and erosion control of the natural or human-made slopes. An experimental study of CKD’s effect on engineering properties was done on a natural slope in New Mexico, USA, in 2008. Consequently, Atterberg limits, compaction characteristics, unconfined compressive strength, and pH were determined for the native soil and the treated soil with CKD. Based on the result, it was observed that CKD was one of the cost-effective methods of erosion control of slopes. However, CKD’s time and environmental effects are important factors that should be addressed carefully. This study mainly focuses on the influence of time on erosion control of the slope stabilized by CKD after eleven years. Long-term monitoring of the slope showed that CKD is still reducing soil erosion.

A modified model for predicting nutrient loss in runoff using a time-varying mixing layer

Nutrient loss caused by runoff reduces the fertility of cultivated land and pollutes the environment. Accurate prediction of such nutrient loss can inform prevention and control measures to reduce agricultural nonpoint source pollution and promote sustainable agriculture, particularly in vulnerable habitats such as the Loess Plateau, China, and for high-quality development projects such as those in the Yellow River Basin, China. In this study, a time-varying mixing layer was established to improve the nutrient transfer models already in use. 36 sets of empirical data on nutrient loss (K+, PO43−-P, NO3−-N) were compiled for the parameters α, β, and km. Another 45 sets of empirical data were used to evaluate the accuracy of the modified model. The modified and previous models were compared, and the modified model (coefficient of determination > 0.81, root mean square error < 1.27, Nash–Sutcliffe efficiency coefficient > 0.77) was the most accurate. The Markov chain Monte Carlo method was used to estimate the parameters (α, β, km) under conditions of varying rainfall intensity (p), soil initial moisture content (θ0), and slope degree (s), and as a result the mean value of parameter β (0.105) is recommended for the model. The modified model successfully simulated the processes of nutrient loss, with the greatest sensitivity for α, followed by km and β. This model can be used to improve the theoretical basis for developing runoff and erosion control methods.

Adoption of agricultural technology in the developing world: A meta-analysis of the empirical literature

• Large farms are more likely to adopt improved crop varieties. • Land tenure security encourages the adoption of sustainable land management practices. • For improved varieties, extension substitutes for formal education. • For natural resource management, extension and formal education are complementary. • Effects are heterogeneous and no variables are universal predictors of adoption. Agricultural technologies have long been promoted by governments and development organizations as effective ways to increase farm productivity and reduce poverty. However, adoption of many seemingly beneficial technologies remains low. Empirical adoption studies attempt to identify the motivation for adoption based on differences in characteristics between adopters and non-adopters. This study investigates variables that regularly explain adoption across technologies and contexts using a meta-analysis of 367 regression models from the published literature. We find that, on average, farmer education, household size, land size, access to credit, land tenure, access to extension services, and organization membership positively correlate with the adoption of many agricultural technologies. Technologies in the categories of improved varieties and chemical inputs are adopted more readily on larger farms, which casts doubt on the scale-neutrality of these technologies. Agricultural credit can positively influence adoption, but researchers should measure whether farmers are credit constrained, rather than simply whether or not they have access to credit. While extension services may substitute for education in the case of improved varieties, the two variables appear to be complementary for natural resource management technologies. Land tenure can encourage adoption of natural resource management techniques, and we find it to be most influential in the adoption of technologies with long planning horizons, such as erosion control methods. Unsurprisingly, although some patterns are identified when results are averaged, most adoption determinants vary widely by technology, cultural context, and geography. Based on these observations, we provide some recommendations for adoption researchers and policy makers, but, given the variability of the results, conclude that efforts to promote agricultural technologies in the developing world must be adapted to suit local agricultural and cultural contexts.

ПОВЫШЕНИЕ ЭФФЕКТИВНОСТИ ЗАДЕРЖАНИЯ ПОВЕРХНОСТНОГО СТОКА

Purpose: improving the method for protecting slopes from water erosion to increase the efficiency of the anti-erosion structure, taking into account modern requirements for ensuring ecological regulatory compliance in the field of preventing pollution of water bodies. Materials and Methods. The basis for improving the method of protecting slopes from water erosion with the help of hydraulic structures was the well-known and author's developments of individual elements and structures of anti-erosion facilities. When generalizing and comparing technical characteristics and principles of the structure operation, the methods of comparison, analysis and synthesis were used. Results. Analysis of various materials (scientific papers, publications, patents relating to the development of methods for protecting slopes from water erosion using hydraulic structures) showed their uniformity in terms of design and the need for revision and improvement in order to increase the operation efficiency and preventing the ingress of nutrients into the water body. Some disadvantages were identified: low efficiency on difficult slopes with different steepness and relief exposure due to the “imperfection” of the trench design, the temporality of the trench backfill action due to destruction, low efficiency due to the low water-holding capacity and rapid water delivery, lack of preliminary treatment of surface waters before their discharge into a water body. The direction of improving the method of erosion control is the development of a filter tile for plastic balls. Conclusions. An improved method for protecting slopes from water erosion involves creating a trench filled with inorganic filler, with a water-retaining earthwork and a water-retaining screen. The filler has the form of a ball with eight through holes diameter of &lt;5 mm, located in pairs and coaxially (the balls are filled with a filter tile of agroperlite by 2/3 of the volume).

Comparison of Soil Erosion Control by Mulch and Cultivated Grass

Soil erosion has deteriorated water quality and caused land degradation. As human industrialization quickens, the effects of soil erosion are getting worse. Therefore, it is essential to have an effective mitigation measure at hand to solve this problem. In this research, two types of erosion control methods were compared to determine their effectiveness in controlling soil erosion. The two methods used were mulch made from dried grass clippings and grass cultivation grown with Axonopus compressus or more commonly known as cow grass. The plots were placed under five rainfall events together with a control plot. The runoff volume, turbidity and total suspended solids (TSS) from the plot discharges were tested and compared. The effectiveness of each erosion control method under different rainfall conditions were also evaluated. Results indicated that the mulch plot produced a lower runoff volume but the grass plot did manage to improve performance over time. The turbidity of both plots were similar. The TSS produced by the grass plot was lower than the mulch plot in 4 out of the 5 testing periods. The grass plot also performed better in longer duration and high intensity rainfall events. The mulch was able to produce similar results with the grass in short duration, low or moderate intensity rainfall events. As a conclusion, the grass cultivation is a more effective erosion control method when compared to the mulch.

Using polyacrylamide to control soil splash erosion in rainfalls with variable intensity and duration

Splash erosion is recognized as the first stage in soil erosion process and results from the bombing of the soil surface by rain drops. One of the soil erosion control methods is the use of chemical polymers. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of different rates of polyacrylamide - PAM (0, 2, 4 and 6 kg/ha) - on the rate of splash erosion at three rainfall intensities (60, 90 and 120 mm/h) and three rainfall durations (10, 20 and 30 minutes) in laboratory conditions using a FEL3 rainfall simulator and Morgan splash bowls on a marly soil with loam soil texture. In all three intensities, rainfall duration and PAM treatments, the reductions of erosion were significant at 99% level, while their interaction was not statistically significant. The results indicated that 2 kg/ha of PAM did not show any significant difference in splash erosion reduction for all the intensities and durations. Increasing the rate of PAM from 4 kg/ha to 6 kg/ha helped to reduce the splash erosion rate; however, there was not a significant difference between the rates of 4 and 6 kg/ha of PAM in the intensity of 90 and 120 mm/h. Most splash erosion reduction (54%) was obtained for the intensity of 60 mm/h and the duration of 10 min with 6 kg/ha of PAM.

An Experimental Investigation into Nozzle Vane Heating to Prevent Erosion in the Last Stages of Steam Turbines

The paper is devoted to an experimental investigation of nozzle vane heating in the last stage of a wet steam turbine. The investigation was performed at a steam-dynamic test facility whose circuit was connected to an operating cogeneration power station (TETs). The working fluid was steam from a heat extraction assembly of a steam turbine. To prepare a polydisperse wet steam flow specific for the last stages of steam turbines, a three-stage wetting system based on feedwater injection into the flow was used. The object of investigation is a flat vane cascade consisting of hollow vanes. The vane cavities are fed with superheated steam to provide heating. Experimental data are presented demonstrating that it is advisable to heat nozzle vanes: first, the economic characteristics are improved, and, second, erosion of the blades in the last stages decreases. This method can be used as an alternative to the internal moisture separation from the steam path. The experimental investigation yielded the effect of the temperature difference between the main flow and the heating steam on the amount of heat transferred to the main flow and on the steam conditions at the outlet from the heating chamber. It was found that condensation in the heating chamber decreased its outlet pressure. This should be considered in designing a similar active system to control erosion of rotor blades. The measured profile losses of kinetic energy downstream of the vane cascade for different temperature difference values are presented. The kinematic characteristics of the liquid phase downstream of the vane trailing edge are determined. Large temperature differences are found to have a negative effect on droplets and can reduce the erosion resistance of the blades as compared with profiles without any active erosion control methods.

Effects of Erosion Control Methods on Bean Growth Parameters

Objectives: To find out the method which could effectively control erosion to improve the crop growth parameters at Buhoro hill. Methods/Statistical Analysis: The experiments have considered three plots with three different erosion control methods such as the traditional plowing methods (M1) which was the control, anti-erosive hedges planting (M2) and anti-erosive hedges coupled with anti-erosive ditches (M3). The experiments were carried out in 2016 and 2017. Data were recorded at three homogeneous regions (upstream, middle and downstream) by choosing two lines at each region and analyzed through SPSS at P<0.05 for significative difference. Finding: The results showed lowest value for the control and the plot with hedges, especially for the lines near the hedges. Moreover, these outcomes highlighted the method M3 (anti-erosive hedges coupled with anti-erosive ditches) as the effective method in improving the studied parameters although the significance was not apparent in the first year. The method (M3) has effectively enhanced the leaf number; leaf area and root length than other methods, especially in the second year with a general significance difference among the treatments. Furthermore, the outcomes revealed significance effects of combining hedge and ditches method (M3) in improving stem girth and plant height for both years. Although many results reported positive effects of anti-erosive hedge planting only than the control, especially in Burundi, where the use of hedge plantation only is more frequent, to couple hedges and ditches is more effective as revealed in the present study. Application/Improvements: These results suggest M3, as the most effective method in improving bean growth parameters at Buhoro hill in Gashikanwa commune. Keywords: Anti-Erosive Hedges Coupled with Anti-Erosive Ditches Method, Anti-Erosive Hedges Planting Method, Beans Plant, Growth Parameters, Soil Erosion, Traditional Plowing Method

Correlates of snake entanglement in erosion control blankets

ABSTRACTIn road construction projects across the United States, erosion control methods (e.g., erosion control blankets [ECBs]), are mandated to stimulate seedbed regeneration and prevent soil loss. Previous reports have suggested that snakes are vulnerable to entanglement in ECBs. We conducted a literature review, field surveys, and an entanglement experiment to examine what factors increase a snake's risk of ECB entanglement. Our literature review produced reports of 175 reptiles entangled in mesh products, 89.1% of which were snakes, with 43.6% of snake entanglements occurring in erosion control products. During our field surveys, we found 10 entangled snakes (n = 2 alive; n = 8 dead). From our experiment, we found that ECBs that contain fixed‐intersection, small‐diameter mesh consisting of polypropylene were significantly more likely to entangle snakes compared with ECBs with larger diameter polypropylene mesh or ECBs that have woven mesh made of natural fibers. Snake body size was also associated with entanglement; for every 1‐mm increase in body circumference, the probability of entanglement increased 4%. These results can help construct a predictive framework to determine those species and individuals that are most vulnerable to entanglement. © 2019 The Wildlife Society.

Development of erosion control and revegetation methods by point group replacement and its challenge.

Development of erosion control and revegetation methods by point group replacement and its challenge.

Synergistic effects of rock fragment cover and polyacrylamide application on erosion of saline-sodic soils

Many erodible and unstable bare soil slopes were exposed under rainfall during the tidal flat reclaimed to be farmland in the coastal provinces of China. There is an urgent need for erosion control methods that are not only efficient and effective long term but also economical and environmentally friendly for slopes with saline-sodic soils. A combination of rock fragment cover (RC) and polyacrylamide (PAM) might be a potential choice. We investigated the synergistic effect of RC and PAM amendment rates on infiltration, runoff, and erosion processes for slopes of 15° with saline-sodic soils that were subjected to two 60-min simulated rainstorms with an intensity of 60 mm/ h under laboratory conditions. Nine treatments with three RC (0%, 15%, and 30%) and three PAM applied rates (0, 0.4, and 1.0 g/kg) in the upper soil layer were all exposed to two sequential rains of deionized water, and these two rainfall events (E1 and E2) were 4 h apart. The results showed that the embedded rock fragment cover decreased the infiltration rate (IR) and increased the runoff rate, which increased sediment yield rate (Rs) in rainfall E1. In E2, RC had a significant (P < 0.05) negative impact on the sediments yield rate by blocking the runoff in the rill. The PAM amendment significantly (P < 0.05) increased the IRs for both rainfall erosion processes, but the IRs were reduced with the PAM application rates increasing from 0.4 to 1.0 g/kg. PAM significantly (P < 0.05) decreased the soil loss in E1 and E2. The positive effect of RC on mean Rs in E1 was restrained as the PAM application rates increasing to 1.0 g/kg. An application rate of 0.4 g/kg was recommended for improving infiltration and controlling erosion because the increased infiltrated water could dissolve soil salt and transport it to drainage ditch though the underground pipes. The optimized combination formula had a PAM application rate of 0.4 g/kg and RC of 15% after taking the two sequential rainfall events into account.

Effectiveness of Living Shorelines as an Erosion Control Method in North Carolina

Living shorelines are a shoreline stabilization strategy encompassing a range of vegetative to structural materials and serve as an alternative approach to the use of structures like bulkheads, which are known to aggravate erosion. Living shorelines are often installed with little to no long-term monitoring for effectiveness; specifically, there is a lack of quantitative data regarding their performance as a shoreline stabilization strategy. This study sought to assess the performance of living shorelines with sills, with respect to shoreline protection, by determining shoreline change rates (SCR) using geospatial analysis. Shoreline surveys were conducted using a real-time kinematic (RTK)-GPS unit at a total of 17 living shoreline projects and nine control segments at 12 sites along the coast of North Carolina. Current shoreline position was compared to historic (pre-installation) shoreline positions obtained from aerial imagery, dating to 1993. The average SCR among northern sites before installation was − 0.45 ± 0.49 m year−1, and in southern sites, it was − 0.21 ± 0.52 m year−1. After installation, average SCR was significantly less erosive at northern and southern sites with living shorelines, 0.17 ± 0.47 and − 0.01 ± 0.51 m year−1, respectively. Of the 17 living shoreline project segments, 12 exhibited a reduction in the rate of erosion; of those 12, six were observed to be accreting. This study supports the convention that living shorelines can reduce the rate of erosion and potentially restore lost shore zone habitat.

An approximate analytical solution for describing surface runoff and sediment transport over hillslope

Soil and water loss from farmland causes land degradation and water pollution, thus continued efforts are needed to establish mathematical model for quantitative analysis of relevant processes and mechanisms. In this study, an approximate analytical solution has been developed for overland flow model and sediment transport model, offering a simple and effective means to predict overland flow and erosion under natural rainfall conditions. In the overland flow model, the flow regime was considered to be transitional with the value of parameter β (in the kinematic wave model) approximately two. The change rate of unit discharge with distance was assumed to be constant and equal to the runoff rate at the outlet of the plane. The excess rainfall was considered to be constant under uniform rainfall conditions. The overland flow model developed can be further applied to natural rainfall conditions by treating excess rainfall intensity as constant over a small time interval. For the sediment model, the recommended values of the runoff erosion calibration constant (cr) and the splash erosion calibration constant (cf) have been given in this study so that it is easier to use the model. These recommended values are 0.15 and 0.12, respectively. Comparisons with observed results were carried out to validate the proposed analytical solution. The results showed that the approximate analytical solution developed in this paper closely matches the observed data, thus providing an alternative method of predicting runoff generation and sediment yield, and offering a more convenient method of analyzing the quantitative relationships between variables. Furthermore, the model developed in this study can be used as a theoretical basis for developing runoff and erosion control methods.

An erosion control and soil conservation method for agrarian uses based on determining the erosion threshold

We present a practical method to control erosion and soil conservation for agrarian activity. The method consists of four steps: (1) analyse the erosive state (as a percentage of the area affected) and soil losses (in m3?ha-1) by means of visual indicators (physical features on the soil surface that have been formed by erosion) and analyse environmental factors (as possible erodibility factors); (2) determine the factors of erodibility; (3) calculate the erosion threshold (value of the erodibility factor beyond which effective control of erosion is achieved), by statistical analysis of the databases collected in the field; (4) verify this result by applying a qualitative assessment of erosive intensity, using visual indicators. The erosion threshold is of particular interest for practical purposes because it can be used to improve the planning of agricultural activity, from the standpoint of soil conservation, thus promoting sustainable land use.This study makes the following main contributions to knowledge in this field:•It presents a new method to address erosion control, based on determining the erosion threshold.•Appropriate environmental and management conditions for effective erosion control are identified.•The method is simple to apply, which facilitates its implementation.