Acquisition of a Portable In Situ Wind Erosion Lab (PI-SWERL) for research in Earth Sciences

University Of South Dakota Main Campus, Vermillion SD

Investigators

Abstract

1029116 Sweeney This grant supports acquisition of a portable in situ wind erosion experimental mesocosm (PI-SWERL) to facilitate research and undergraduate research training at the University of South Dakota with a focus on study of the role of eolian induced erosion of mineral dusts on landscape evolution and the impacts of aerosol loading on the atmosphere and related climate effects. The portable nature of the wind tunnel mescosm (PI-SWERL) will allow for large numbers of spatially detailed measurements of wind effects on mineral dust emissions to the atmosphere with implications for improved models to inform a better understanding of eolian processes in arid environments, the impacts of desertification on human health, and improved agricultural soil conservation efforts. ***