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Article | Tropical Aquatic and Soil Pollution | Volume 1 - Issue 2 - 2021 | 62-73 | https://doi.org/10.53623/tasp.v1i2.17
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A Study Case on Estimation of Soil Loss and Sediment Yield in Curtin University, Malaysia

Author(s): Hui Yee Ngieng 1 , Leong Kong Yong 1 , Striprabu Strimari 2
Author(s) information:
1 Environmental Engineering Program, Faculty of Engineering and Science, Curtin University Malaysia, CDT 250, Miri 98009, Malaysia
2 Geotechnical & Slope Engineering Unit, Jabatan Kerja Raya Sarawak, Wisma Saberkas, Kuching 93626, Malaysia

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Tropical Aquatic and Soil Pollution

Volume 1 - Issue 2 - 2021

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Because of human activities, soil erosion has been one of the most concerning issues in Malaysia in the past decades. This study aimed to estimate the amount of soil loss and sediment yield at Curtin University, Malaysia by using the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE) and the Modified Universal Soil Loss Equation (MUSLE), respectively. The parameters of RUSLE include rainfall erosivity factor (R), soil erodibility factor (K), slope length factor (L), slope steepness factor (S), cover-management factor (C) and support practice factor (P). The rainfall data (10 years) from the Sarawak Meteorological Department was used to determine the R-factor. The K-factor was determined by sieve analysis, hydrometer analysis, the Standard Proctor Test (SPT), and organic content testing. The L-and S-factors were performed by measuring on site and using Google Earth. The C-and P-factors were based on the ground surface cover condition (bare soil in this study). In the MUSLE, the runoff factor comprises V and Qp, while the other parameters are the same as in the RUSLE. The runoff depth, V, is equivalent to the rainfall intensity. Rainfall intensities were recorded by using a rain gauge. The highest rainfall intensity was used for runoff depth. The Rational method has been utilized to calculate Qp. The amount of soil loss estimated was 119.97 tons/ha/year and the sediment yield amount estimated was 0.76 ton/storm event in Curtin University, Malaysia.
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SUBMITTED: 15 July 2021
ACCEPTED: 01 September 2021
PUBLISHED: 25 October 2021
SUBMITTED to ACCEPTED: 49 days
DOI: https://doi.org/10.53623/tasp.v1i2.17

Cite this article
Ngieng, H. Y., Yong, L. K., & Strimari, S. (2021). A Study Case on Estimation of Soil Loss and Sediment Yield in Curtin University, Malaysia. Tropical Aquatic and Soil Pollution, 1(2), 62–73. https://doi.org/10.53623/tasp.v1i2.17
Keywords
Soil loss sediment yield soil erosion RUSLE MUSLE
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