WIND EROSION OF CRUSTED SOIL SEDIMENTS

Saltating particles increase the rate of dust release from sediments in arid and semi‐arid areas. They also break interparticle bonds in aggregated and crusted soils, thereby increasing the number of particles available for entrainment. This pilot study examines rates of erosion in relation to the flux of saltating grains for three crusted sediments of different strengths. Dislodgement of surface particles decreases with increasing crust strength, as measured by a cylindrical flat‐ended penetrometer. In addition, initial dust release from craters formed by single impactors in unaggregated soil is examined in relation to the associated saltator. The volume of material removed depends linearly on the kinetic energy of the abraders.