Prediction of the Erosiveness of Puerto Rican Soils on a Basis of the Percentage of Particles of Silt and Clay When Aggregated

Abstract

An approach is suggested in this paper that permits an estimation of the erodibility of soils on a basis of the percentage of particles of silt and clay aggregated. A correlation coefficient of 0.79 was obtained between the percentage of silt and clay aggregated and the erosion ratio. The erosion ratio is a rather valuable soil index, but is complex, and the determination and calculations for each of its components are rather laborious. On the other hand, the laboratory determination of precisely the percentage of silt and clay particles aggregated can be made easy and simple. The calculations are also easy. The percentage of silt and clay aggregated is therefore a convenient index to use in assessing the erodibility of a soil. If desired, the corresponding value of the erosion ratio may be estimated with a fair degree of precision from the percentage of silt and clay aggregated.