Characterizing rainfall erosivity by kinetic power - Median volume diameter relationship

摘要: Abstract Kinetic power, i.e. kinetic energy per unit time and area, is the variable widely used to represent rainfall erosivity which affects soil loss sediment yield. This paper shows results of an experimental investigation using raindrop size distributions (DSDs) measured by optical disdrometer installed at Department Agricultural, Food Forestry Sciences University Palermo in Italy (June 2006–March 2014) El Teularet station Spain (July 2015–May 2016). At first analysis DSDs aggregated into intensity classes carried out, then power values are determined. The allowed establish that median volume diameter distribution affected raindrops characterized greatest diameters composes precipitation. verify reliability power-rainfall relationships proposed Wischmeier Smith Kinnell. Finally, all available measurements obtained different climatic contexts measurement techniques, this demonstrates ratio between depends strictly only on according a single site-independent relationship. Therefore estimate does not require knowledge whole drop distribution. theoretical relationship relating also positively verified measurements.