Optimization of parameters affecting organic mulch test to control erosion.

Wind erosion is considered as one of the most influential factors in the destruction of land in arid and deserted areas. There is a weak ecosystem in arid lands which wind erosion can move soil particles. Mulch is a compound that is used nowadays to control wind erosion. This study aims to create organic mulch in order to prevent wind erosion and environmental pollution. In order to create this type of mulch, different available materials such as blackstrap, manure, biosolids, and straw have been used. Response Surface Methodology (RSM) was applied to create this kind of mulch as well. Also, Central Compound Design (CCD) in RSM modeling was applied to optimize the mulch compound so as to decrease erosion and increase the thickness of crust and its penetration. In addition, each variable was coded and the concentration of straw effect (2-10 g m), biosolids (8-24 g m), manure (8-24 g m) and blackstrap (5-15 g m) on wind erosion and penetration were studied. The optimum values of crust thickness (1.5 mm) for straw, manure, blackstrap, and biosolids were 12.48, 19.94, 7.16, and 16.70 g respectively. The optimum values for penetration resistance for straw, manure, blackstrap, and biosolids were 11.31, 15.71, 4.36, 19.24 g as well. As these materials were used more and more in the compound, penetration resistance soared due to adhesion and crust in the compound. However, more use of blackstrap brought about a reverse result. The results indicated that there was not a considerable difference between predicted data and experimental data, and the model was acceptable in simulation.