Enhancement of soil properties using bottom ash, fly ash and coconut ash - An application of waste to wealth

Abstract

Abundant waste materials are being produced nowadays due to rapid commercialisation and urbanisation. Disposal of these waste materials is a challenging task since it causes both air and water pollution. Since the production of waste materials is inevitable, a suitable strategy has to adopted to convert this waste into wealth. In this study, the red soil was collected from the field and the same was composted with organic matter to enhance its organic carbon content. Further, bottom ash, fly ash and coconut waste ash (CWA) has been added to the composted soil in a ratio of 1:4. Subsequently, the organic carbon content and strength parameters of the mixtures were determined. Soil organic carbon content was determined using Walkley Black method while the strength parameters were determined using standard proctor compaction test (SPCT) and Vane shear test. The N, P and K of the original collected soil were 160 kg ha-1, 14 kg ha-1, and 139 kg ha-1 respectively. The soil organic carbon content is highest with 65% when composted soil is mixed with bottom ash. The maximum dry density of soil increased from 0.765 to 0.81 due to addition of bottom ash. The Shear strength increases gradually with the increase in percentage of Coconut Waste Ash (CWA) and torque of soil also attained the effective value.