Polymer effects on erosion under laboratory rainfall simulator conditions

Soil erosion by water is a serious problem in several parts of the world. Incorporation of polymers into water applied to soil by a rainfall simulator can improve infiltration rates. This study was conducted to determine the effects of nonionic, anionic, and two charge densities of cationic derivatized guar products on erosion and infiltration rates. The cationic polymers significantly increased infiltration rate and erosion, compared with distilled water. The higher charge cationic polymer produced significantly higher values than the lower charge polymer at the same concentration. The distilled-water treatment with impact caused severe aggregate disruption and dispersion, producing a layer of fine material at the surface that decreased infiltration rate. -from Authors