Deposition of spray drift behind border structures

Windbreaks present a porous obstacle to the approaching airflow, forcing air to flow through the windbreak at a reduced speed and accelerate over the top. In this research, windbreaks were considered as border structures to mitigate spray drift. Air flows, with an interspace between it, particles are filtered from the flow by deposition on the windbreak. Hence there is a reduction in deposition in the downwind sheltered area (the 'quiet zone') behind the windbreak. Peak deposition in the sheltered area can occur at minimum wind speeds. The deposition profiles of spray drift behind various border structures were measured. In the first part, drift tests were performed in a wind tunnel. Artificial screens with various heights and open areas were tested. A row of plastic Christmas trees and natural canopies were also tested. Subsequently, drift experiments were performed under field conditions in a grassland with the artificial screens and a row of Fagus sylvatica trees. The artificial screens reduced spray drift deposition in the sheltered region, but significant deposition peaks were found behind the screens. The natural structures had potential to reduce drift deposition when their height was at least equal to the height of the spray nozzle(s). The drift deposition at short distances behind the natural structures was higher than deposition behind artificial structures, but conversely peaks in deposition in sheltered areas were not created by the natural structures. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.