7. Explain the transport of sediments by wind action in the tropics.

The transport of sediments by wind action in the tropics can be through saltation, reptation, surface
creep or suspension. Saltation is the most important process, as it also helps to induce the other
processes. However, transport of sediments by wind occurs mainly in the arid tropics (BSh, BWh)
rather than in the humid tropics (Af, Am and Aw). This is as there is a lack of vegetation cover
allowing the free sweep of the wind for movement of sediments in the arid tropics. Furthermore, thin
soil cover and unconsolidated sediments due to the dry climate in these areas also help to
promote transportation by wind action.

Sand grains move when the force of the wind exceeds the weight of the grain and the grain can be
airborne. As the velocity of the wind increases over a surface of sand grains, the grains start to
vibrate and when velocity reaches the friction threshold, they start to leave the surface. The ‘lift’ is
produced by the Bernoulli effect (which refers to how wind speed increases swiftly away from the
ground surface when it accelerates around protruding particles, entraining the particles), the local
acceleration of wind and the bombardment by particles already in the air.

The vertical velocity of grains leaving the surface and height they attain is determined by the ratio
between friction velocity and downward terminal velocity produced by the gravitational force acting
on the grains. Once airborne, the sand grain rises steeply and then comes down in a flatter
trajectory, displaying a parabolic path.

Saltation occurs when the friction velocity < terminal fall velocity (which refers to the constant speed
that a free-falling object reaches). However, saltation is confined to short distances, heights of
around 2m and fine to medium grains of 60-500µm. Despite this, it can cause an exponentially
increasing number of grains to move and induce the majority of the other processes.

Saltation induces reptation as the surface will be subjected to a continuous rain of saltating grains
that on impact with stationary grains, produce entrainment at a velocity lower than the friction
threshold (a.k.a. impact threshold) and the grains become airborne upon impact. Reptation is most
effective in getting the particles airborne and usually involves only fine to medium sand, though in
extremely strong winds, larger particles may be dislodged.

Saltation can also result in surface creep. Surface creep occurs when larger particles of
>500µm(i.e. coarse sand and small pebbles) move by rolling and sliding with the momentum gained
from the impact of saltating sand grains as they are too large to be carried by the wind itself. It is the
most effective process to build dunes.

Transport of sediments by wind can also be through suspension. Fine-grained particles are lifted
into the atmosphere and can be carried for long distances. Particles <60-70µm (e.g. silt, clay) are
transported by suspension in turbulent wind eddies while the smaller particles of <20µm can be
carried and transported for a greater duration and distance. This is as these very small particles
have terminal velocities < friction velocity of the turbulent wind and will thus stay in the air until the
wind abates.

Thus, sediments in the tropics can be transported by saltation, reputation, surface creep and
suspension, though saltation is the most important as it powers the other processes. The
characteristics of the particles being transported such as size of particle and local features such as
vegetation cover can also affect rate and type of transport.