Wind and water erosion of topsoil is a threat to sustained crop productivity in the United States. Laboratory and field experiments will be integrated in a feasibility assessment of reducing erosion of sandy, center-irrigated soils by means of mass cultured palmelloid microalgae in the genus chlamydomonas. Studies are designed to quantify in situ productivity, extracellular polysaccharide production and degradation potential. Productivity will be estimated by filter fluorometry: degradation by radiorespirometry. Wind and water erosion potential will be estimated by wet and drystability of aggregates
