The Effect of Vegetation Pattern, Biochar and Powdery Walnut Shell on Wind Erosion, Using Wind Tunnel

Dust emissions by wind have significant implications for human health and ecosystems. The addition of effective materials in degraded soils is a suitable method for stabilizing soil accumulation, which can lead to reduced dust emission. To investigate the effect of biocharand vegetation on soil improvement against wind erosion, a wind tunnel experiment was conducted. This study was carried out in order to investigate the effect of walnut wooden shell biochar (Juglans regia L.) walnut wooden shell powder and three patterns of vegetation including raw, random and zigzag, on the soil erosion of Shahrekord plain soil which is one of the dust source. Biochar and walnut wooden shell in 5% by weight in separate soils were tested in a 60 - day period in the simulated wind tunnel, along with three artificial vegetation patterns. The results showed that soil modification can indirectly control the wind erosion potential. The amount of soil erosion in day 60 of experiment was 1455 g/m2 for control sample, 1270 g/m2 for raw pattern, 840 g/m2 for random pattern and 397 g/m2 for zigzag pattern, that zigzag pattern caused more reduction in soil erosion in comparison with other patterns. Biochar and walnut wooden shell powder resulted in 46.82% and 24.14% in formation of flocculed soil, respectively, in comparison with control sample, which increased resistance to soil erosion. As a result, biochar and powder along with vegetation are able to stabilize the soil and increase soil stability and lead to a reduction in wind erosion.