Hydrologic impacts due to application of dust suppressants

This study presents research on changes in hydrologic characteristics of disturbed land surfaces that have been treated with dust suppressants. The objective of this research was to develop a better understanding of the impacts, related to application of dust suppressants. Changes in runoff characteristics were investigated in the field, using a rainfall simulator on plots (which represented disturbed land surfaces) treated with 11 different dust suppressants. Results of the study indicate a general increase in the runoff coefficient as well as an increase in the runoff rates and volume of runoff from these dust suppressant treated plots. Extrapolation of the water quality results to the Las Vegas Valley watershed indicates a substantial decrease in the amount of loading for total suspended solids and phosphate and an increase in the loadings for sulfate and chloride. A reapplication of a dust suppressant further changes hydrologic characteristics and quality of runoff from treated plots.