Investigation of Chemical Properties of Eroded Particles at Four Heights with Surface Soil

The chemical analysis of dust particles is essential to assess the potential impacts of dust on climate, environment, soil, and health. The objective of this study is to compare the different chemical compositions of dust particles that are collected at different heights above the soil surface and the eroded soils around Lake Urmia. To trap the dust particles, the BSNE samplers were used. 14 poles were installed inside 3 ha. area and 4 samplers were installed on each pole at 0.15, 0.5, 1, and 2 m heights above the soil surface. Chemical properties such as %T.N.V, %OC, ECe, pH, and SAR of collected particles were determined. The results of variance analysis and mean comparison illustrated that there was no significant difference between the eroded soil and the particles sampled from 15 cm height among all the investigated chemical parameters. It proves that the source of the moving particles at > 0.15 m is different from the eroded soil. By elevating height above the soil surface increased, the %T.N.V, ECe, and pH decreased but the SAR and %OC increased. There was a strong negative and significant correlation between the monthly rainfall and the ECe, %T.N.V, and SAR, except for the %OC. The correlation between the speed of the strongest wind and the ECe, %OC, and SAR was positive and remarkable (P≤0.01). The pH was the only parameter that was independent of all meteorological parameters in this research. Furthermore, the SAR was the most sensitive factor to the meteorological parameters.