Soil hydrophobicity effects on rainsplash: Simulated rainfall and photographic evidence

Abstract

Abstract Laboratory rainfall simulation experiments indicate greater splash losses for hydrophobic (water repellent) than for wettable sandy loam soils at different rainfall intensities, durations and soil surface inclinations. Using synchronized video cameras with different shutter speeds and stroboscopically illuminated 35 mm still photography, differences in splash droplets and ejection trajectory characteristics are examined. For hydrophobic soil, raindrop impact gives rise to fewer, larger, slower‐moving daughter ejection droplets which carry more sediment and hence follow shorter range trajectories compared with wettable soil. Implications for erosion of hydrophobic soils are discussed.