Study of wind erosion in Sistan plain and its effects on engineering properties of soils

Due to its specific climatic conditions (dry climate) and severe winds (including the 120 day long winds), wind erosion is accounted as one of the most important factors responsible for earth surface changes which in turn leads to the alteration of soil engineering properties. To investigate the role of wind erosion on soil properties changes, samples were collected between the years 1385 to 1387 from four different locations including areas without vegetation in the Hamoon Lake, areas with vegetation in the Hamoon Lake, barren lands and agricultural lands without cultivation. The in situ dry unit weight volume and undrained shear strength of soil were determined by in situ tests; however, gradation, atterberg limits, and the soil maximum dry density were determined by standard laboratory tests. The results indicate a decrease in liquid limits and soil adhesiveness with time in both farming lands and clay lands without vegetation; furthermore, clay soil showed trend towards transforming into silt. Soils will become more susceptible to erodibility when their adhesiveness values decrease. In areas which the loose surface layers erode, the in situ dry unit weight volume of soil increases and reaches to 2gr/cm3 at its maximum.