Soil properties related to potential particulate matter emissions (PM10) of sandy soils

Little information is available on the effect of properties of coarse textured soils on the emission of fine particulate matter (PM10). In this study was evaluated the effect of textural fractions (clay, silt and sand), organic matter contents (OM) and soil moisture of 7 sandy to loamy-sand soils on potential PM10 emissions by means of wind tunnel simulations. PM10 emissions decreases linearly along the whole soil moisture range in loess developed soils (Anguil and Santa Rosa), and above a given soil moisture in soils developed on sandy sediments (Villa Mercedes, Abra Pampa, Potrok Aike, Rio Mayo and Pilcaniyeu). Soils with higher PM10 emissions had high threshold moisture contents (TMC, soil moisture above which the PM10 emission was negligible) excepting for Potrok Aike (PA) that had low PM10 emissions and high TMC (8%) as a consequence of its relative high OM contents. Moisture effects on PM10 emissions decreased in a logarithmic way when OM contents increased in relation to soil silt contents (P < 0.01). In general, maximum PM10 emissions were higher in soils with higher silt contents, excepting PA which had low emission (1404 μg g−1) and high silt contents (11%). Anomalous behavior of PA soil was attributed to its high OM contents which favored the aggregation of the fine particulate matter, reducing PM10 emissions. The maximum PM10 emissions correlated in a positive and power way with the quotient silt/(1+OM) (P < 0.05), indicating that OM had a negative effect and silt a positive effect on maximum PM10 emissions. Results of this study shows that, besides soil moisture and soil texture, OM contents also affects PM10 emissions of the studied soils.