Biodegradation of sustainable nonwovens used in water absorbing geocomposites supporting plants vegetation

Abstract

Due to the growing awareness and the need to reduce the environmental impact of textiles, there is a pressing rationale to use natural materials or fibres in environmental engineering. One solution to achieve energy sustainability is to develop sustainable technologies to gradually replace non-renewable fossil fuels. One of technology is water-absorbing geocomposite (WAG). WAG is an innovative technology that supports water management and the vegetation of plants and is used, among others, in environmental engineering and agriculture. WAG can be produced in biodegradable WAG version, which is also environmentally friendly. The paper provides an evaluation of the influence of time of installation and biodegradation on the mechanical, hydraulic, and chemical properties of used textiles. The biodegradation of geotextiles was analyzed in real time, and their parameters were determined after one vegetation season. Needle-punched nonwovens made from wool and linen or reinforced by jute mesh were biodegraded already after the first vegetation season. Significantly better mechanical properties were observed in nonwovens produced from the same materials, but reinforced by seams. All types of geotextiles were characterised by sufficient resistance to biodegradation that allowed maintaining vegetation and proper operation of WAG at least for one vegetation season. Biodegradable geotextiles installed in soil provide instantaneous protection, and their gradual discomposure fosters plant vegetation.