A laboratory method for investigating the stabilization of mole channels

Abstract

A method has been devised to allow production of model mole channels in blocks of soil under laboratory conditions. Subsequently, the channels were subjected to a combination of treatments including wetting and drying of the whole soil block and the passage of water down through the soil to the channel and along the channel itself. Erosion from within the channel was monitored by measurement of sediment yield and the structure of the channel was itself examined by use of an endoscope. Mole channels produced with polyacrylamide, had smoother walls initially than those without and also after subsequent testing by water flow. Additionally, channels treated with polyacrylamide, also produced less sediment than untreated channels. Such models were used to study the beneficial effects of polyacrylamide on mole channel stability but could also be used to study other aspects of mole channel production and stability under varying controlled conditions.