## 4 Discussion
They showed that following macroaggregate saltation (\(>\)500 \(\upmu\)m), the amount of aggregates 63-250 \(\upmu\)m could increase by 10-34% so that the initial state of the aggregate size distribution could indicate the erosion expected to affect in the soil. Examination of the saltation material in the traps (Table 2) cannot provide us information on aggregation reduction as suggested by [PERSON] and [PERSON] [26]. The current study examines only three size groups while the combination of macro and micro aggregates in the saltation can create an increased fracture that does not occur when groups are divided. Knowing the initial aggregate size distribution of a soil would be an advantage in estimating dust emission levels. The results of the distribution of soil aggregates in the present study show that the fraction 63-250 \(\upmu\)m is about 55% from the bulk sample (all aggregate sizes) and the fraction of 250-500 \(\upmu\)m and 500-1000 \(\upmu\)m is about 5% each. It can be assumed that during a wind event that is above the shear threshold (\(>\)0.31 m/s), there is a saltation and dust emission from most of the aggregates (\(>\)500 \(\upmu\)m) at the same time. Our results indicate that the total dust emission from the bulk sample will be mostly like the dust flux from the fraction 63-250 \(\upmu\)m. This is demonstrated by the sandblasting efficiency (Figure 6), which is the ratio between the PM10 flux and the saltation flux [33; 43]. The sandblasting efficiency in sample 63-250 \(\upmu\)m (presented as 156 \(\upmu\)m) was found to be the highest compared with other samples with a similar size range [33; 44; 45]. In the studies of [PERSON] et al. [33] and [PERSON] et al. [46], the sandblasting efficiency is low despite the similarities to samples 63-250 \(\upmu\)m and 250-500 \(\upmu\)m of this study. These studies dealt with sand from dunes, in which there is a low availability of dust particles in the samples and no breaking of aggregates. In sample 500-1000 \(\upmu\)m (presented as 750 \(\upmu\)m), the saltation starts only at shear velocity 0.39 m/s when the wind is strong enough. The values of the sandblasting efficiency are relatively low compared with the other samples in this study but still higher than those of sandy soils. Our methodology has some limitations. First, we applied three aggregate size groups which may not represent the entire range of soil sizes. However, these groups are common in many soils and specifically in loess soils that are associated with dust emission processes. The division into macroaggregates (\(>\)250 \(\upmu\)m) and microaggregates (\(<\)250 \(\upmu\)m) allows the analysis of the emission mechanism of the aggregates moving in saltation and those that need to be broken by the impact of saltators in order to emit dust. Second, the use of a wind tunnel to examine the dust emission may not reflect the natural wind in the field where the velocity and direction are constantly changing. However, the controlled wind velocities by the tunnel make it possible to examine the emission thresholds of various soil samples. Third, the saltation and dust fluxes calculated in this study by the wind tunnel experiment do not necessarily fit the values measured in the field, but they do allow for the quantitative comparison between soil samples (e.g., sandblasting efficiency). In recent decades, there have been environmental changes associated with intense human activity. Climate change and global warming can cause dehydration in some areas and cause degradation of the soil [47]. The advancement of modern agriculture, along with increased use of massive mechanical tillage and extensive human activity, results in loss of important soil stabilization materials [48]. The different effects on soil can cause a decrease in the size and stability of the aggregates and thus change the rate of soil erosion [49]. When the size of the aggregates decreases significantly and there is drought, the aeolian transport can be more significant and be a catalyst for the degradation process in the soil.