The application of terrestrial laser scanning to aeolian saltation cloud measurement and its response to changing surface moisture

Saltation is the dominant form of aeolian transport of sand sized grains, yet its heterogeneous spatial and temporal distribution, and inherent feedback and interaction with the surface over which sand is transported, hinders large scale quantification. In this letter we present preliminary data on saltation cloud characteristics quantified using terrestrial laser scanning (TLS). These data, together with surface moisture and surface roughness patterns, elucidate the importance of saltation in the development of protodunes on a drying beach, and indicate the potential usefulness of TLS in examining aeolian processes in both beach and desert environments. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Development of the saltation system under controlled environmental conditions

The transport of sand by the wind occurs predominantly by the process of saltation. Following the entrainment of sand by an above threshold wind, the saltation system is regulated by the mutual interaction of the atmospheric boundary‐layer, the sand cloud and the sand bed. Despite existing data on the spatial and temporal development of the sand transport system, very little is known about the development of the saltation system towards equilibrium. Results are presented from wind‐tunnel experiments that were designed to address the simultaneous spatial and temporal development of the saltation system, with and without artificial sand feed. The development of the saltation system was monitored over a streamwise length of 8 m during a period of 3600 s. Mass flux data were measured simultaneously at 1 m intervals by the downwind deployment of seven Aarhus sand traps. Wind velocity data were collected throughout the experiments. The downwind spatial development of the saltation system is manifested by an overshoot in mass flux and friction velocity prior to declining towards a quasi‐equilibrium. Mass flux overshoots at approximately 4 m downwind, in remarkable agreement with existing data of a comparable scale. Friction velocity overshoots at approximately 6 m downwind, a result not previously witnessed in saltation studies. The overshoot of mass flux prior to the overshoot in friction velocity is a spatial manifestation of the time lag between the entrainment of grains and the deceleration of the wind by the grains in transport. Temporally, the development of the saltation system is controlled by the availability of entrainable grains from the sand bed. Through time the saltation system develops from a transport‐limited to a supply‐limited system. The depletion of the sand bed through time limits the appropriateness of the assumption of ‘equilibrium’ for the universal prediction of mass flux. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The response of saltation to wind speed fluctuations

The response time of saltation to spatial or temporal wind speed fluctuations constitutes an important control parameter for aeolian sediment transport and deposition. In this paper, we present direct measurements of the response time obtained from several field experiments. The sand transport was studied using six small microphones arranged in a vertical profile and collocated with a sonic anemometer, a webcam and a cup anemometer tower. The webcam was coupled with the sonic anemometer via a personal computer and provides information on creeping and saltating grains with a sampling rate of 10 Hz. Sediment transport measurements were obtained over four periods. The Wiener filter, a signal processing technique, is used to obtain a discrete transfer function that relates the horizontal wind speed and the non‐intermittent sand transport. The transfer function can be established using an exponential function with a time constant or characteristic response time τ without time shift. The response time fluctuated between zero and 1·5 seconds depending on the turbulence intensity, the saltation activity, the measuring height and sampling rates. The Wiener filter coefficients suggest that the response of saltation to wind speed alterations is determined by more than one process. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Aeolian deposition of dust over hills: the effect of dust grain size on the deposition pattern

Wind tunnel experiments were conducted to investigate the effects of topography on the grain size characteristics of aeolian dust deposits. Experiments were performed on three isolated hills having various size and aspect ratios. The longitudinal profile of the median grain diameter was investigated for each hill. The longitudinal dust deposition profile was also studied for nine grain size classes of between 10 and 104 µm, as were wind and dust concentration profiles in the atmosphere upwind of, over and downwind of a hill. The wind tunnel experiments show that the grain size characteristics of aeolian dust deposits are affected by topography. Most apparent is the occurrence of a zone of reduced grain size on the leeside of hills, which extends from just upwind of the summit to a distance of several times the height of the hill. Slightly coarser than normal dust is deposited on the concave windward hill slope and in a zone downwind of the area of reduced grain size, but the increase in grain size in these zones remains very small. Although the normalized dust deposition profile for a hill does not vary substantially as a function of grain size, systematic trends are observed. The most important tendencies are: (1) a progressive extension, in the downwind direction, of a zone of decreased dust deposition on the leeside of a hill (the coarser the grains, the further downwind the zone of reduced deposition extends); (2) a progressive increase in dust deposition immediately upwind of a hill (the finer the grains, the higher the deposition value upwind of a hill becomes). Both tendencies are explained by the difference in inertia of the grains, which is controlled by grain size. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Controls on the aerodynamic roughness length and the grain‐size dependence of aeolian sediment transport

Estimates of the wind shear stress exerted on Earth's surface using the fully rough form of the law‐of‐the‐wall are a function of the aerodynamic roughness length, z₀. Accurate prediction of aeolian sediment transport rates, therefore, often requires accurate estimates of z₀. The value of z₀ is determined by the surface roughness and the saltation intensity, both of which can be highly dynamic. Here we report field measurements of z₀ values derived from velocity profiles measured over an evolving topography (i.e. sand ripples). The topography was measured by terrestrial laser scanning and the saltation intensity was measured using a disdrometer. By measuring the topographic evolution and saltation intensity simultaneously and using available formulae to estimate the topographic contribution to z₀, we isolated the contribution of saltation intensity to z₀ and document that this component dominates over the topographic component for all but the lowest shear velocities. Our measurements indicate that the increase in z₀ during periods of saltation is approximately one to two orders of magnitude greater than the increase attributed to microtopography (i.e. evolving sand ripples). Our results also reveal differences in transport as a function of grain size. Each grain‐size fraction exhibited a different dependence on shear velocity, with the saltation intensity of fine particles (diameters ranging from 0.125 to 0.25 mm) saturating and eventually decreasing at high shear velocities, which we interpret to be the result of a limitation in the supply of fine particles from the bed at high shear velocities due to bed armoring. Our findings improve knowledge of the controls on the aerodynamic roughness length and the grain‐size dependence of aeolian sediment transport. The results should contribute to the development of improved sediment transport and dust emission models. © 2018 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The effects of surface moisture on aeolian sediment transport threshold and mass flux on a beach

This paper presents results from a study designed to explore the effects of beach surface moisture and fetch effects on the threshold of movement, intensity of sand transport by wind and mass flux. The experiment was carried out over a period of five weeks at Greenwich Dunes, Prince Edward Island, Canada in May and June 2002. Moisture content was measured with a Delta‐T moisture probe over a 50 m by 25 m grid established on the beach. Measurements of wind speed and direction were made with arrays of cup anemometers and a two‐dimensional sonic anemometer. Transport intensity was measured at a height of 2–4 cm above the bed using omnidirectional saltation probes which count the impact of saltating grains on a piezoelectric crystal. Anemometers and saltation probes were sampled at 1 Hz. Sand transport was measured with vertical integrating sand traps over periods of 10–20 minutes. Results show that where there is a considerable supply of dry sand the saltation system responds very rapidly (1–2 s) to fluctuations in wind speed, i.e. to wind gusts. Where sand supply from the surface is limited by moisture, mean transport rates are much lower and this reflects in both a reduction in the instantaneous transport rate and in a transport system that becomes increasingly intermittent. Threshold wind speed is significantly correlated with an increase in surface moisture content near the upwind end of the beach fetch, but the relationship is not significant at the downwind end where sediment transport is initiated primarily by saltation impact from upwind. Mass flux increases with increasing fetch length and the relationship is described best by a power function. Further work is necessary to develop a theoretical function to predict the increase in transport with fetch distance as well as the critical fetch distance. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Aeolian fetch distance and secondary airflow effects: the influence of micro‐scale variables on meso‐scale foredune development

Unsuccessful attempts to use process‐scale models to predict long‐term aeolian sediment transport patterns have long been a feature of aeolian research. It has been proposed that one approach to overcome these problems is to identify micro‐scale variables that are important at longer timescales. This paper assesses the contribution of two system variables (secondary airflow patterns and fetch distance) to medium‐term (months to years) dune development. The micro‐scale importance of these variables had been established during previous work at the site (Magilligan Strand, Northern Ireland). Three methods were employed. First, sand drift potentials were calculated using 2 years of regional wind data and a sediment transport model. Second, wind data and large trench traps (2 m length × 1 m width × 1·5 m depth) were used to assess the actual sediment transport patterns over a 2‐month period. Third, a remote‐sensing technique for the identification of fetch distance, a saltation impact sensor (Safire) and wind data were utilized to gauge, qualitatively, sediment transport patterns over a 1‐month period. Secondary airflow effects were found to play a major role in the sediment flux patterns at these timescales, with measured and predicted rates matching closely during the trench trap study. The results suggest that fetch distance is an unimportant variable at this site. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A method for establishing the critical threshold for aeolian transport in the field

A basic feature of any wind‐eroding surface is its threshold – the wind speed at which sediment transport is initiated. A new method was developed and tested that allows for the rapid determination of threshold under natural wind conditions in the ?eld. A mathematical expression that relates saltation activity and relative wind strength was reformulated so that threshold may be calculated from measurements of saltation activity and the mean and standard deviation of wind speed. To test the new method and determine its usefulness, a ?eld experiment was performed within a region of low‐relief dunes on the Southern High Plains of West Texas. The experimental system consisted of a 2‐m meteorological tower and a piezoelectric saltation sensor. It was found that during periods of active aeolian activity, threshold values could be calculated every 5 minutes. This new method allows for routine monitoring of surface threshold conditions in the ?eld. Example threshold calculations are presented and they demonstrate that the method works well. Published in 2004 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Regional grain size variations in aeolian sediments along the transition between Tibetan highlands and north‐western Chinese deserts – the influence of geomorphological settings on aeolian transport pathways

Sediment distribution is investigated applying grain size analysis to 279 surface samples from the transitional zone between high mountains (Qilian Shan) and their arid forelands (Hexi Corridor) in north‐western China. Six main sediment types were classified. Medium scale (10³ m) geomorphological setting is carefully considered as it may play an important role concerning sediment supply and availability. A tripartite distribution of sedimentological landscape units along the mountain to foreland transition is evident. Aeolian sediments (e.g. loess and dune sands) are widespread. They are used to identify aeolian transport pathways. The mU/fS‐ratio (5–11 µm/48–70 µm) among primary loess opposes the two grain size fractions being most sensitive to varying accumulation conditions. The first fraction is attributed to long‐distance transport in high suspension clouds whereas the latter represents local transport in saltation mode. The ratio shows strong correlation with elevation (R² = 0.77). Thus, it indicates a relatively higher far‐traveled dust supply in mountainous areas (>3000 m above sea level [a.s.l.]) compared to the foreland. The contribution of westerlies to high mountain loess deposits is considered likely. Hereby, the influence of the geomorphological setting on grain size composition of aeolian sediments becomes apparent: the contribution from distant dust sources is ubiquitous in the study area. However, the far‐distance contribution may be reduced by the availability of fine sand provided in low topography settings. Plain foreland areas support fine sand deflation from supplying river beds, allowing the formation of sandy loess in foreland areas and intramontane basins. In contrast, high mountain topography inhibits strong sand deflation into loess deposits. Eastern parts of the Hexi Corridor show higher aeolian sand occurrence. In contrast, the western parts are dominated by gravel gobi surfaces. This is attributed to higher sand supply in eastern parts provided by the Badain Jaran Desert and fluvial storages as sand sources. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

High resolution sensors in space and time for determination saltation and creep intensity

The measurement of aeolian sand transport rates at high temporal and spatial resolution is crucial for further progress in testing and developing numerical models of sand movement by wind and in the modelling of sand dunes, ripples and so on. This paper reports the development and field testing of two sand transport sensors. The first one, a webcam commonly used with personal computers, is a new device in aeolian research. The webcam frame transfer is triggered by a sonic anemometer every 0·1 second. Consecutive frames are compared and analysed in real‐time by a computer program. Changes in pixel light intensity exceeding a threshold level are recorded and interpreted as grain movements. The second sensor is a small‐sized ‘Saltiphone’‐type device made of simple loudspeakers with a diameter of 15 mm as used in MP3 players. It can be deployed as a 2 × 3 array of six such devices distributed to enable horizontal and vertical spatial sampling of the sand flux. The devices are tested under field conditions. Both signals and the sum of microphone impacts over 15 minutes are compared to data gathered using a Guelph sand trap, and very good agreement is found. Measurements in a wind tunnel using sieved natural sand indicate that the webcam can be used to infer additional information about the grain size. As an application, the fluid and impact thresholds for aeolian sand transport are investigated in field measurements by analysing the onset and breakdown of saltation in gust and lull intervals of rising and falling wind speeds, respectively. In this way, constitutive equations for sand transport in terms of the wind speed can be tested. If viable, they can be employed to infer estimates for the thresholds by minimizing the root‐mean‐square error between measured and calculated transport data. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Modeling the effect of saltation on surface layer turbulence

Particle–turbulence interaction has been a research focus in the field of pneumatic transport, especially in aeolian environments. However, knowledge regarding the effect of saltating particles on the turbulence characteristics is very limited. In this article, a process of sand-laden flow from forming sand streamers to stability is investigated via a coupled mathematical model of wind-blown sand that includes the spatiotemporal development. The variations in the turbulence characteristics, such as the mean velocity and turbulence intensity in clean air or sand-laden flow field, are analyzed. The results show that the splash process of sand grains near the wall decrease the wind speed in the saltation layer and destroy the low-speed streaks. Moreover, the profiles of streamwise turbulence intensity exhibit a transition from ‘decreasing’ to ‘increasing’ and approximately intersect at an ‘intensity focus’, which is presented for the first time. Furthermore, it was found that saltating particles could enhance the Reynolds stress. Meanwhile, it was also noticed that the shear stress at the wall surface is greater than the impact threshold and that there is a tendency towards the impact threshold. Therefore, saltation makes the particle Reynolds number of sand-laden flow higher than that under non-saltation conditions, thus changing the particles’ effect on the turbulence intensity. Gravity-dominated saltation is probably the most essential difference between wind-blown sand and other traditional two-phase flows. © 2020 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Gross erosion,net erosion and gross deposition of dust by wind: field data from 17 desert surfaces

Wind erosion measurements were carried out in Nellis Dunes Recreation Area, southern Nevada, USA. Gross erosion (the total mass of sediment effectively blown away from a surface), gross deposition (the total mass of sediment effectively depositing on a surface) and net erosion (the difference in sediment mass before and after an event) were measured for 1 year, on 17 different types of surfaces developed on loose dune sand, compacted sand, loose silt, compacted and/or aggregated silt, rock‐covered sands and silts, mixtures of sand, silt and clay, exposed petrocalcic horizons, gravelly substrata and bedrock. Results showed that net erosion, which is the type of erosion measured in field and laboratory experiments, strongly differs from gross erosion. Activity on a surface is much higher than classic net erosion measurements suggest. Future studies on wind erosion should better acknowledge the distinction between the two types of process. Also, a grain diameter of maximum susceptibility to wind erosion (‘optimum deflation diameter’) near 70 µm as proposed by the aeolian literature only exists for net wind erosion. No such optimum diameter was found for gross wind erosion within the particle range 0–100 µm delineating the transport modes of suspension and modified saltation. In addition, desert surfaces predominantly composed of sand did not show an optimum deflation diameter (for net erosion) around 70 µm. Instead, there was a preferential grain size around 15 µm at which particles were most vulnerable to net emission. Desert surfaces poor in sand showed the classic value of 70 µm. This suggests that interactions exist between the type of surface and the susceptibility of particles to wind erosion. This study is solely based on field data. Although results are supported by two previous wind tunnel studies, more wind tunnel experiments documenting the interactions between gross erosion and gross deposition are necessary. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A revised approach to discriminating sediment transport histories in glacigenic sediments in a temperate alpine environment: a case study from Fox Glacier,New Zealand

Clast shape measurements have developed into a standard method for reconstructing the transport histories of sediments in glacial environments. The majority of studies use the ‘RA‐C₄₀’ covariance approach, with some researchers routinely including clasts of varying lithologies within their samples. The corollary is that variable lithological properties may control clast form and roundness, rather than debris‐transport mechanisms. Despite this, the role of lithology on clast shape in glacial environments has rarely been analysed. Furthermore, some studies have reported difficulties in using the RA‐C₄₀ co‐variance plot in discriminating clasts that have undergone subglacial transport, and clasts that have been modified by fluvial activity. Results from a glacierized valley in a temperate alpine setting indicate that detailed analysis of clast shape where samples are of uniform lithology, although time consuming, is a useful tool in the investigation of deposits in glaciated environments. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

‘Bedload’ dynamics: Grain impacts,momentum transfer and derivation of a grain froude number

A test is proposed for Bagnold's postulate that the normal weight stress due to moving ‘bedload’ is balanced by a solid transmitted stress due to the rate of change of momentum produced by grain impacts on unit area of the stationary bed. The test involves derivation of an expression for normal momentum transfer due to saltating grains at moderate transport stages when grain-to-grain collisions and partial suspension during saltation may be ignored. A dimensionless number, Φ, (a grain Froude Number) is derived, given by ū²/g where ū is the mean grain forward velocity, g is the gravitational acceleration and L? is the length of a single saltation ‘jump’. Equilibrium demands that Φ be unity during bedload transport involving saltating grains if Bagnold's postulate is correct. Experimental data shows Φ < 1, the discrepancy between theory and experiment being due to the existence of lift forces acting upon bedload grains. Bagnold's postulate is correct for concentrated dispersions of grains, as in grain flows, when fluid lift forces may be neglected due to high particle concentration.     

Bedrock versus superficial deposits in the Swiss Jura Mountains: what is the legitimate soil parent material?

Soils are generally considered to be the result of in situ weathered products of geological substrata. Nevertheless, the Earth's surface is mainly composed of superficial deposits made of sediments reworked during periods of climate instability (glaciation, aridification, flooding, etc.). But to what extent do these deposits influence present‐day soil development and/or lessen the contribution of the geological substratum? In the Swiss Jura Mountains, characterization and distribution of superficial deposits along a toposequence are used in order to decipher the polygenic sources of soil parent materials and question the importance of lithodependence in soil development. The in situ weathering material and the allochtonous deposits are discriminated through analysis of mineralogical composition, grain size distribution of the soil mineral fraction, and multivariate statistical treatment. As expected, calcite is dominant in the autochonous mineral phase, leading to high pH values in deep soil layers. However, the mineralogical composition of the surficial deposits is made of local mineral components mixed with allochtonous aeolian deposits. This exogenous material is dominated by quartz and phyllosilicates, and is reflected by low pH values in soil surficial horizons. The grain size distribution curves of the insoluble residue from bedrocks are unimodal and dominated by fine loam and clays. In contrast, surficial deposits display polymodal curves, demonstrating the contribution of various aeolian episodes and/or sources. Analysis of the surface texture of quartz sand grains shows glacial marks intersected by aeolian shock marks, indicating the posteriority of wind transportation. Loess material originates from Alpine moraines of the Swiss Plateau and is mixed with deposits originating from more proximal Jura moraines, diluting the Alpine signature. Consequently, the soil development does not follow the expected and conventional decalcification process, but is directly influenced by the origin of the primary sediments (even when present only in small amounts) and their evolution. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The fetch effect on aeolian sediment transport on a sandy beach: a case study from Magilligan Strand,Northern Ireland

Experiments were conducted on Magilligan Strand, Northern Ireland, to assess the influence of the fetch effect on aeolian sediment transport. During each experiment surface sediments were uniformly dry and unhindered by vegetation or debris. The leading edge of erodible material was well defined, with the limit of wave up‐rush demarcating the wet–dry boundary; the work was conducted during low tides. A number of electronic and integrating traps were utilised, with two ultrasonic anemometers used to measure wind direction and velocity at 1 Hz. The combination of 1^o direction data and trap locations resulted in a range of fetch distances, from 2 to 26 m. Data integrated over 15‐minute intervals (corresponding to the integrating trap data) revealed a distinct trend for all the experiments. An initial rapid increase in the transport rate occurred over a short distance (4–9 m). This maximum transport rate was maintained for a further 5–6 m before a steady decay in the flux followed, as fetch distance increased. A measured reduction in wind speed (6–8%) across the beach suggests a negative feedback mechanism may be responsible for the diminishing transport rate: the saltating grains induce energy dissipation, thus reducing the capability of the wind to maintain transport. For one experiment, the presence of compact sediment patches may also have contributed to the reduction of the transport rate. The decay trend calls into question the utility of the fetch effect as an important parameter in aeolian studies that seek to understand sediment budgets of the foredune‐beach zone. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Using quartz grain size and shape analysis to distinguish between aeolian and fluvial deposits in the Dallol Bosso of Niger (West Africa)

Size and Fourier-shape characteristics of quartz sand grains were determined by computerized image analysis in order to distinguish between aeolian and fluvial soil parent materials in the Dallol Bosso in Niger. Factor analysis of grain-size distributions gave four sand end-members that can be related to fluvial transport dynamics operating when the sediments were initially deposited. The medium to fine (and more angular shaped) sand fractions are being reworked by wind. Aeolian deposits were well sorted whereas fluvial deposits were poorly sorted in both size and shape. Although gross-shape characteristics (lower harmonics of Fourier series expansion) indicated a common source rock for all sands, the aeolian sands were well rounded whereas the fluvial sands tended to be more angular (upper harmonics of Fourier series).     

Volcaniclastic aeolian deposits at Sunset Crater,Arizona: terrestrial analogs for Martian dune forms

Sunset Crater in north‐central Arizona (USA) is a 900‐year‐old scoria‐cone volcano. Wind action has redistributed its widespread tephra deposit into a variety of aeolian dune forms that serve as a terrestrial analog for similar landforms and aeolian processes on Mars. Fieldwork was conducted to collect essential geomorphological and sedimentological data, and to establish a baseline for the type and morphometry of dunes, physical properties, interactions with topography, and saltation pathways. Our analyses focused primarily on coppice dunes, falling dunes, wind ripples, and sand streaks. For all collected volcaniclastic aeolian sediment samples, the sand‐size fraction dominated, ranging from almost 100% sand to 74.6% sand. No sample contained more than 1.6% silt. The composition is overwhelmingly basaltic with non‐basaltic particles composing 2 to 6% of the total. Coppice (nebkha) dunes form where clumps of vegetation trap saltating particles and create small mounds or hummocks. Mean grain size for coppice dune samples is coarse sand. Measured dune height for 15 coppice dunes ranged from 0.3 to 3.3 m with a mean of 1 m. Mean length was 6.7 m and mean width was 4.8 m. Falling dunes identified in this study are poorly developed and thin, lacking a prominent ramp‐like structure. Mean wavelength for three sets of measured ripples ranged from 22 to 36 cm. Sand streaks extend downwind for more than a kilometer and are up to 200 m in width. They commonly occur on the lee side of mesas and similar landforms and are typically the downwind continuation of falling dunes. Falling dunes, wind ripples, and sand streaks have been identified on Mars, while coppice dunes are similar to Martian shadow or lee dunes in which sand accumulates in the lee of obstacles. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Evaluation of ESR residual dose in quartz modern samples,an investigation on environmental dependence

Luminescence and ESR dating methods of quartz sediment are based on the natural resetting of the signal by light exposure (optical bleaching). When the bleaching is incomplete, a residual dose (D_eR) is added to the post-depositional dose accumulated since the deposit and hence the age is overestimated.Insufficient bleaching is usually linked to the environment and conditions of transport/deposition of the quartz grains affecting the light exposure duration. Indeed, each transportation mode – fluvial, marine or aeolian – is associated to specific conditions of light exposure, depending mainly to the location of grains in the transport agent during the transport phase, the opacity of the transport environment and the velocity of the transport.The present study attempts to discriminate the modes of transport/deposition providing a satisfying reset of the ESR signals of quartz grains. For this purpose, we investigated bleaching rates and ESR residual doses of aluminum centers from “present-day” aeolian, fluvial and marine sediments sampled in various sedimentary environments. The bleaching efficiency evaluation in these different environments may help for a better understanding of the resetting phenomenon for quartz signals which represents presently the main difficulty for ESR dating.The results show that the residual doses are small enough to allow an ESR dating of the main part of the sediment transported in almost all the context examined in this study. The smallest residual doses are obtained from quartz grains within the range of 100–200 μm and transported in clear water. Some limits for the application of optically bleached quartz ESR dating appears nevertheless, mainly when the residual dose and the dose accumulated after the deposit are quite similar, i.e. for Upper Pleistocene samples.     

Evidence for direct suspension of loessial soils on the Columbia Plateau

Wind erosion modelling efforts, both ?eld and wind tunnel studies, have traditionally focused on saltation‐based processes for estimating dust emissions from high wind events. This approach gives generally good results when saltation‐sized particles, 90 µm to 2 mm mean diameter, are prevalent on the exposed soil surface. The Columbia Plateau, located in north‐central Oregon and south‐central Washington, is a region with extensive loess deposits where up to 90 per cent of sieved particles (by mass) are less than 100 µm mean diameter. During high‐wind events, large amounts of soil and ?ne particulate matter are suspended. However, ?eld surfaces typically show little evidence of surface scouring or saltation, e.g. soil drifts or covered furrows. Velocity pro?le analysis of two high‐wind events and additional data from a third event show evidence of direct suspension process where saltation is not a major mechanism for eroding soil or generating dust emissions. Surface roughness heights are less than saltation roughness height estimates during peak wind speeds. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.