Section 4: Soil and Water Conservation Engineering
Soil and Water Erosion
Subtopic: Mechanics of soil erosion – wind and water erosion
Question Statement:
In wind erosion mechanics, the movement of soil particles of diameter $0.1 - 0.5\text{ mm}$ by a series of short bounces and leaps along the surface is termed:
Options:
(A) Saltation
(B) Suspension
(C) Surface creep
(D) Abrasion
Answer Key:
A
Step-by-Step Solution & Explanation
Saltation accounts for $50 - 75\%$ of total soil movement by wind, characterized by particles of $0.1 - 0.5\text{ mm}$ bouncing in low parabolic arcs. Coarser particles ($0.5 - 1.0\text{ mm}$) roll by surface creep, while fine dust (lt; 0.1\text{ mm}$) stays in suspension.