Pore and Eroding Fluid Influences on Surface Erosion on Soil

Hydraulic erosion studies were carried out with a modified rotating-cylinder apparatus on saturated Yolo loam soil at different pore fluid compositions. The critical shear stress, τc, required to initate erosion has been shown to be controlled by the structure of the soil as influenced by the pore fluid composition. The critical shear stress, τc, has also been shown to be dependent on the composition of the eroding fluid. The structure of the soil and the osmotic influences caused by the differences in the electrolyte concentration of the pore and eroding fluids are considered to explain the mechanism of surface erosion.