ABSTRACTWell sorted fine sand pretreated with varying concentrations of two soluble salts (MgCl2and CaCl2) was tested for threshold shear velocity in a recirculating wind tunnel. These tests demonstrate that even relatively low surface salt concentrations can significantly increase threshold shear velocity. However, the relationships between surface salt concentration and threshold shear velocity for the two salts were not significantly different, which is similar to the results for monovalent chlorides presented by Nickling&Ecclestone. A general relationship between threshold shear velocity and total, surface soluble salt content is presented.