Splash erosion affected by initial soil moisture and surface conditions under simulated rainfall

Abstract Soil erosion by water is one of the most severe soil degradation processes. Splash initial stage water, resulting from destructive force rain drops acting on surface aggregates. Apart rainfall properties, constant physical properties (texture and organic matter) are crucial in understanding splash erosion. However, there lack information about effect variable such as content condition (seal formation) The objective present study was to determine how affected under simulated rainfall. changes were characterized hydraulic variability (saturated conductivity) due seal formation. Slit loam loamy sand textures used experiment. samples collected top layer; air dried, filled into modified Morgan cups for measurements. Rainfall created laboratory using two types simulators covering intensity range 28 54 mm h−1 35 81 mm h−1. exposed three consecutive simulations with different time intervals between conditions (air-dried, wet-sealed, dry-crusted). Wet-sealed had up 70% lower rate compared air-dried samples, ponding followed A significant decrease saturated conductivity indicated formation silt soils. non-significant attributed earlier stable seals. Two produced amount rates; however, development increasing almost equal considering same condition. These results provide insight dynamic individual parameters rainfall, could find wider application more complex prediction models.