Fixation of airborne sand drifting using a bottom ash of sludge cake

Well-sorted sand surface mulched with bottom ash of sludge cake was tested for airborne sediment transport rates in a wind tunnel. Plain sand samples were also tested for comparison. Results indicate that the ash surface resistant crust is adequate to hold mobile surfaces in place for periods exceeding about 10 weeks, which is sufficient for vegetal developments. Also, the crust proves adequate to break aerodynamic traction enough to prevent it from picking sediments immediately downwind of the crusted section. Impacts of saltating sands and animal passages on the crusted surface have little influence on the crust performance data. (C) 1998 Academic Press Limited.