Ataolah Kavian; 1 1; 1 1; 1 1; 1 1; 1 1; 1 1
Abstract
Small and portable rainfall simulators are essential tools in study of soil erosion and surface hydrology and it provide to repeat natural rainfall characteristics. In addition to the introduction of this device, calibration tests were performed including nozzles discharge evaluation, uniformity test ...
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Small and portable rainfall simulators are essential tools in study of soil erosion and surface hydrology and it provide to repeat natural rainfall characteristics. In addition to the introduction of this device, calibration tests were performed including nozzles discharge evaluation, uniformity test over the plots and raindrop size distribution. The results of nozzles discharge calibration showed that two nozzles discharge at 20, 40, 60 and 80 KPa pressure are similar and there isn't any significant difference between them. To achieve the optimum uniformity of simulated rainfall over the plot uniformity test was performed with changing nozzle distance (50, 60 and 70 cm) and oscillation of nozzles (30, 45 and 60 degrees) at constant operational pressure of 60 KPa. The results showed that the uniformity coefficient at 2m2 plot obtained from 57% to 61% and rainfall intensity changes from 48 to 101 mm/hr. The results of high velocity photography revealed median diameter of raindrop as 2.4 to 2.6 mm.
Jalal Zandi; Mahmoud Habibnejad Roshan; Karim Solaimani
Abstract
Soil erosion is a serious environmental problem in Vazroud watershed, which is located in the centre of the Mazandaran Province, Iran. Unfortunately, Vazroud watershed like most Iran watersheds don’t have recorded data and erosion and sedimentation gages to research, monitor and model soil erosion ...
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Soil erosion is a serious environmental problem in Vazroud watershed, which is located in the centre of the Mazandaran Province, Iran. Unfortunately, Vazroud watershed like most Iran watersheds don’t have recorded data and erosion and sedimentation gages to research, monitor and model soil erosion at large watershed. In order to assess the soil erosion risk, soil erosion modeling at the watershed scale are urgently needed to be undertaken. This study integrated the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE) with a Geographic Information System (GIS) to estimate soil loss and identify the risk erosion areas in the Vazroud watershed. Multi-source (map-, space- and ground-based) datasets were used to obtain factors of RUSLE, and an integrated analysis was carried out in raster format of GIS and it was classified into five categories ranging from minimal risk to extreme erosion risk. Extensive field observations verify soil erosion risk map and total accuracy (90%) obtained. The soil erosion map was linked to land use, elevation and slope maps to explore the relationship between soil erosion and environmental factors and identify the areas of soil erosion risk. The slopes between 25 to 45 degree, the altitudes between 1180 to 2180 from sea level and bare lands have the high and extreme erosion risk in this study area. The results allow decision makers to implement management strategies to prioritization area and soil erosion reduction in Vazroud watershed. The integrated approach presented is relatively easy, fast, and straightforward, showing good potential for successful application in other areas.