Dust production by sand grain impact during aeolian saltation: an experimental study

Pudmenzky, Christa (2003) Dust production by sand grain impact during aeolian saltation: an experimental study. Honours thesis, Griffith University. (Unpublished)

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Abstract

This study focuses on the potential for aeolian abrasion of natural dune sands to produce fine dust particles. Particular attention is given to how the particle size, sorting, colour, shape and the presence of iron oxide coatings and clay skins affect the rate of dust production. Natural dune sand samples were obtained from the crests of active continental dunes from the Simpson Desert and the Channel Country and abraded for 72 hours using a large glass 'test-tube' chamber. The chipping, spalling and breakage of sand grains and the removal of iron oxide coatings and clay skins from grain surfaces produced between 0.41-0.98 % fine particles. Statistical analysis identified that the degree of sorting and grain roundness of a sand sample are the major influences on the dust production rate. Well-sorted, sub-rounded sand samples yielded less dust than poorly sorted angular sand grains. Comparison with previous studies of aeolian abrasion of crushed quartz sands, these natural dune sands produced very low quantities of fine material, but the widespread geographical distribution of desert dune fields makes them potentially a significant source of dust-sized particles on a global scale.


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Item Type: Thesis (Non-Research) (Honours)
Item Status: Live Archive
Additional Information: Bachelor of Science (BSc) Honours thesis, Griffith University.
Faculty/School / Institute/Centre: Historic - Faculty of Sciences - No Department (Up to 30 Jun 2013)
Supervisors: McTainsh, Grant; Hammond, Andrew
Date Deposited: 14 May 2013 05:27
Last Modified: 03 Jul 2013 00:48
Uncontrolled Keywords: aeolian abrasion; dust
Fields of Research (2008): 05 Environmental Sciences > 0503 Soil Sciences > 050305 Soil Physics
04 Earth Sciences > 0403 Geology > 040310 Sedimentology
05 Environmental Sciences > 0503 Soil Sciences > 050302 Land Capability and Soil Degradation
Fields of Research (2020): 41 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES > 4106 Soil sciences > 410605 Soil physics
37 EARTH SCIENCES > 3705 Geology > 370509 Sedimentology
41 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES > 4106 Soil sciences > 410601 Land capability and soil productivity
URI: https://sear.unisq.edu.au/id/eprint/19757

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