Laboratory-Based Sprinkler Irrigation System for Experimental Modeling of Water Erosion on Soil Monoliths

Abstract Soil erosion remains one of the most pressing environmental issues, particularly in mountainous and foothill areas, where intense precipitation and steep slopes exacerbate land degradation. This article presents a laboratory-based sprinkler system designed to simulate erosion processes under controlled conditions. The system combines an adjustable slope, a rainfall intensity control system, and a collection unit for eroded material, ensuring the reproducibility of experiments and the reliability of the data obtained. Soil monoliths of dark sierozems (Calcisols), and mountain-brown soils (Cambisols) with varying degrees of erosion typical of the Surkhandarya region were used as study objects. Experiments were conducted at varying slope angles (5°, 10°, 15°, 20°) and rainfall intensities (2 and 4 mm/min) in triplicate. The obtained data indicate that the mass of eroded material increased consistently with increasing slope angle and precipitation intensity. Mountainous brown carbonate soils were found to be the most susceptible to erosion, while leached varieties demonstrated comparatively high resistance. Comparison of the results with international studies revealed their consistency, confirming the nature of the identified patterns. The novelty of this study lies in developing a compact and accessible setup that combines the functionality of field and laboratory simulators. The practical significance of the study lies in the potential use of the setup for modeling water erosion processes, developing erosion control measures, and for educational purposes.

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