Clayey Soils Research Articles

Coupled effects of temperature and relative humidity on desiccation curling of a clayey soil

Soil curling caused by drying is a common phenomenon in nature, and it can vary depending on different atmospheric effects. To investigate the coupled effects of temperature and relative humidity on soil curling, a sequence of desiccation experiments were performed by using elongated strip soil samples in the laboratory. The soil curling process is divided into five stages: vertical settlement stage, lateral contraction stage, concave-up curling stage, curling recovery stage and convex-up curling stage. In this study, the soil evaporation characteristic and curvature curves are obtained under different temperature and relative humidity conditions. The findings revealed that a lower relative humidity results in a higher evaporation rate and a smaller maximum concave-up curling curvature for soil samples. Additionally, as the temperature increased, the water content associated with concave curling decreased. The maximum concave-up curling curvature was determined by the transition from the appearance of concave-up curling to the maximum curvature of concave-up curling. Under the coupled effect of temperature and relative humidity, all the water content associated with the occurrence of concave-up curling, maximum concave-up and convex-up curling appearance are reduced with increasing temperature and decreasing relative humidity. As the temperature ranged from 20 °C to 40 °C, the maximum concave-up curling curvature initially decreased and then increased. Conversely, the maximum concave-up curling curvature increased within the relative humidity range of 30% to 45%.

Increasing complexity of agroforestry systems benefits nutrient cycling and mineral-associated organic carbon storage, in south-eastern Brazil

Agroforestry systems are often promoted as solutions to address land degradation and climate change. However, agroforestry is an umbrella term for a large variety of systems and it is not clear how their degree of complexity influences their provision of soil-based ecosystem services, such as soil organic carbon (SOC) storage and nutrient cycling. Furthermore, a knowledge gap remains whether agroforestry systems perform equally well on all soil types. The objectives of this study were 1) to assess the links between agroforestry complexity, nutrient cycling and SOC fractions, and 2) to assess how soil texture influences these relationships in Brazilian agroforestry systems. We sampled 59 agroforestry plots across 30 sites in Sao Paulo state, Brazil, and 8 monocrop sites (6 pastures and 2 crop monocultures). The 38 sites represented a soil textural gradient, ranging from very sandy to very clayey (clay content range 25 – 620 g kg−1). An Agroforestry Complexity Index (ACI) was defined based on tree species richness, stem density and pruning management. Nutrient (N, P, K, Ca, Mg) and C contents were determined in litter and soil (0–30 cm depth) samples, and mineral-associated organic C (MAOC) and particulate organic C (POC) in soil samples were assessed as well. ACI was positively associated with C, N, P, Ca and Mg stocks in litter, and these litter nutrients were in turn positively associated with the corresponding soil nutrient stocks. Associations between soil nutrients and MAOC were stronger on sandy soils than on clayey soils, particularly for P, Ca and Cation Exchange Capacity (CEC). For POC, robust relationships with nutrients were only found on sandy soils. Structural Equation Models indicated causal relationships between agroforestry complexity, P and Ca cycling, and MAOC and POC stocks in topsoils. Our results indicate that nutrients effectively cycle from in situ mulch into plant-available soil pools and highlight the synergies between nutrient cycling and stable C stocks that can be achieved in complex agroforestry systems. These synergies seem to be particularly strong on sandy soils (<15 % clay).

Earthworm-assisted bioremediation in a clayey soil contaminated by biodiesel

The Success in bioremediation techniques depends on factors such as site characteristics, environmental factors, contaminant nature (temperature, pH, nutrients), presence of suitable biodegradable genes, the contamination nature, etc. Earthworms can aid in these on these factors, through their biological, chemical and physical characteristics, they aerate the soil, improve the nutritional status and help to release the contaminants binding in the soil particles, besides, they help the degrading microorganisms’ dispersion. Biodiesel is a contaminant widely used in the fuel industry, and its production is encouraged. Thus, the aim of this study is analyzed the efficiency of an earthworm species (Eudrilus eugeniae) to remediated a residual clayey soil contaminated with biodiesel, with and without assistance for biostimulated native microorganisms. Therefore, a clay soil was contaminated with biodiesel (24 g / kg) and the ability of the earthworms of the species (Eudrilus eugeniae) to degrade biodiesel with or without biostimulation (cattle manure) for a period of 90 days was analyzed. Earthworms and cow dung have proved to be efficient for remediation processes, providing 100% degradation at the end of 90 days for "biostimulation and earthworm" and "biostimulation, microorganisms and earthworm" samples. Thus, the use of earthworms contributes to a faster remediation process and, together with microorganisms, they are a more sustainable solution for application in areas contaminated with fuels.

Recent increase in sediment dry matter, carbon, and phosphorus accumulation in small boreal lakes with clayey catchments

This study estimated the mass accumulation rates of sediment (MAR), carbon (CMAR), and phosphorus (PMAR) in small Finnish lakes with agricultural clayey catchments over a 25-year period (1986–2011) and compared these with the conditions before major agricultural land use. Twenty-two lakes were cored for recent and reference (pre-disturbance) sediments. The recent sediment section was selected based on the 1986 137Cs fallout peak (TOP), whereas the pre-disturbance section (REF) was selected immediately below the first signs of human-induced erosion. The 50-cm reference section was dated with 14C at both ends. The mass accumulation rates were estimated based on dating, weighing, and chemical analysis for both sediment sections. Furthermore, sediment-penetrating echo soundings were used to estimate the amount of sediment in the whole lake basins. These data were used to examine area-specific loading from clay-rich catchments. The average whole-basin pre-disturbance MAR, PMAR, and CMAR were 62 g m−2 a−1, 0.06 g m−2 a−1, and 4.7 g m−2 a−1, respectively. The corresponding recent rates were 11, 13, and 8-fold (693 g m−2 a−1, 0.79 g m−2 a−1, and 37 g m−2 a−1). In the recent conditions, sediments were generally more minerogenic and MAR, PMAR, and CMAR were higher in lakes with more arable fields in their catchments. Average area-specific suspended sediment load from the catchment for the region (∼39% clayey soils) was approximately 69–137 kg ha−1 a−1 in the undisturbed state and 767–1534 kg ha−1 a−1 in recent conditions based on 100–50% retention. The results demonstrate that the increases in sediment, nutrient, and organic matter accumulation due to agriculture can be several fold over undisturbed state.

Mechanical Properties and Microscopic Mechanism of Basic Oxygen Furnace (BOF) Slag-Treated Clay Subgrades

Civil engineering faces a substantial challenge when dealing with soft and compressible clayey soils. Conventional soil stabilization techniques involving ordinary Portland cement (OPC) result in notable CO2 emissions. This study explores the utilization of basic oxygen furnace (BOF) slag, a by-product of steel production, for strengthening kaolin clay. This research investigates the influence of BOF slag particle size, BOF slag content, and the use of activators such as lime and ground granulated blast-furnace slag (GGBFS) on the stabilization of kaolin clay. The strength development is assessed through unconfined compressive strength (UCS) test, bender element (BE) test, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The findings reveal that higher BOF content and extended curing periods enhance soil strength, and lime and GGBFS effectively augment the stabilizing properties of BOF slag. Stabilizing kaolin clay with a 30% BOF/GGBFS mixture in a 50/50 ratio with 1% lime and curing for 7 days yielded a compressive strength of 753 kPa, meeting the Federal Highway Administration’s requirement for lime-treated soil. These combined measures contribute to developing a more robust and stable material with enhanced geotechnical properties.

Linking Topographical Ring Features to Geochemical and Geophysical Anomalies

Circular features in forests seen from air have been studied for several decades at different locations around the world. Forest rings, as they are called in Canada’s boreal forests, express several geochemical (pH, carbonate content) and geophysical (surface potential) anomalies on their 20–30 m wide ring edges. Although it has been proposed that microbial processes may cause these anomalies, the exact mechanisms of ring formation are still unknown. We focused on the Thorn North forest ring in Ontario, Canada to correlate the surface potential anomaly to soil gas concentrations. Field measurements showed that the surface potential drop at the ring edge center is framed by peaks in CO2 production, which is linked to O2 depletion and methane generation. Carbon isotope signatures were found to drop to lighter values (down to −20‰), suggesting increased respiration. Higher concentrations of uronic acids bound to extracellular polymeric substances were found, indicating that the surface potential anomaly is linked to respiration. 16S rRNA gene sequencing of shallow soil did not indicate a dominant microbial group on the edges; instead, principal component analysis showed that the microbial composition was controlled by the substrate (clayey vs. sandy soil), therefore future studies should focus on deeper ground layers.

One-part alkali-activated soil stabilization with sodium metasilicate: Mechanical-geochemical-mineralogical characterization

A shift towards environmental sustainability is an emerging trend in the modern construction industry, and soil stabilization is no exception. Environmental and economic constraints associated with traditional cement have led to a renewed research focus, particularly on the development of alkali-activated materials (AAMs), a cost-effective and environmentally sustainable stabilization method. Traditional AAM synthesis involves the activation of industrial byproducts in an alkaline solution, which poses challenges in transporting, storing, and handling large quantities of liquid alkaline activators in the field. To address these challenges and enable the large-scale application of AAM-based soil stabilization, a one-part alkali-activation method is proposed, utilizing a dry powdered alkaline activator. This study aims to evaluate the potential of dry sodium metasilicate (SM), used in conjunction with Class C fly ash, Class F fly ash, and ground granulated blast-furnace slag, to stabilize weak clayey soils with medium-to-high initial moisture content. Towards that end, five stabilizer mixes with and without SM were designed to stabilize natural soil at different initial moisture states. The engineering properties of these blends were assessed through unconfined compressive strength (UCS) testing, and a relationship between the initial water content of the soil, stabilizer dosage, and the desired UCS for the alkali-activated mixtures was developed. Furthermore, the microstructure of these blends was characterized through geochemical and mineralogical analyses, including pH measurement, X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and scanning electron microscope (SEM) imaging. This study demonstrates the feasibility of using dry SM to create one-part AAM, which holds promise for stabilizing weak soils in various transportation infrastructure systems, including roadways, airfield pavements, and railways.

PEMILIHAN TIPE PONDASI DALAM DENGAN MENGGUNAKAN METODE AHP

The environmental impact arising from the use of foundations that require limited heavy equipment maneuverability has become a recurring issue in construction projects. Construction sites located on clayey soils necessitate special treatment for foundation structures, consuming substantial time and resources. This poses a challenge in construction projects with tight schedules, as every construction phase is constrained by available funds. Data collected through interviews and questionnaires with relevant stakeholders are processed using the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP). Bore Pile foundations, is selected as the preferred choice. This research concludes that, among the options considered, Bore Pile foundations are the most suitable. It ranks second, with Well foundations in the second position and Pile foundations in the third. Therefore, Bore Pile foundations are recommended for construction projects in this context. It should be noted that this study is limited to the Gorontalo region's educational facilities, and further research is necessary for different locations. This research sheds light on the importance of selecting environmentally friendly foundation types in construction projects, particularly in regions with specific soil characteristics like clayey soil.

An Attempt to Predict the Effective Angle of Internal Friction for Remolded Clayey Soils Using the Vane Shear Test: Some Important Implications

An Attempt to Predict the Effective Angle of Internal Friction for Remolded Clayey Soils Using the Vane Shear Test: Some Important Implications

Soil surface-atmosphere interaction in a monitored embankment constructed with two compacted lime-treated soils

This study was carried out in an instrumented and monitored embankment divided into two symetrical sections and constructed with compacted treated soils (i.e., a silty soil and a clayey soil) exposed to the same atmospheric conditions in a continental climate, with oceanic influences. It aimed to investigate changes of bare soil surface moisture (w) and corresponding suction (s) as result of soil water evaporation processes on a monthly time scale. Seasonal variations in the w (and s) measurement in both soil surfaces show overall consistency with the meteorological measurement within the study area. The paper also examines the ability of four air temperature-based potential evaporation (PET) formulations to capture the process of evaporation at the site. Results indicated that soil water evaporation is controlled by both atmospheric and soil conditions. And, during the most significant drying time period, the measured s consistently increased and the corresponding w decreased suggesting a relatively significant water evaporation effect. However, the monthly predicted PET data varied from a maximum of over 120 mm/month to less than 50 mm/month during the drying time, depending on the used method. The continuously monitored soil surface suctions are used for discussing the variations of evaporation according to the predicted PET method and time period at the site.

Impact of remolded soil fabric on the volumetric deformation behavior of clayey soils

The volumetric deformation of clayey soils, leading to a reduction in the bearing capacity and serviceability of pavements and building structures, is a major concern during their design, construction, and maintenance. Several approaches are often followed to mitigate the volume expansion and concomitant damage, including removal and replacement, moisture treatment with appropriate compaction protocols, and chemical treatment. During these treatment processes, the in-situ fabric is altered as the natural undisturbed soils are remolded and compacted. Hence, it is crucial to understand the effect of remolding on the volumetric characteristics of clayey soils. To investigate this effect, coefficient of linear extensibility (COLE) tests were conducted on both natural and remolded soil samples. The objective was to evaluate the impact of soil fabric modification on volumetric characteristics such as suction compressibility index (γh) and soil water-retention characteristics, i.e., the soil–water characteristic curve (SWCC) of clayey soils. Our findings indicated that remolded soils had approximately 10% to 30 % higher γh-values than those of unaltered soils, which can be attributed to changes in porosity. Two distinct mechanistic models were developed using the packing theory concept to link the γh-value and SWCC of remolded and natural soils. Finally, an analysis was conducted to compare the potential vertical movement (PVM) of natural and remolded clay soils. This analysis revealed that the remolded soil fabric substantially increased the PVM values, particularly for high-plasticity clay soils. This effect should be considered when assessing the impact of treatment that requires remolding, which substantially alters the soil structure and fabric.

Optimizing Pre-emergence Herbicide Oxyfluorfen Dose based on Its Sorption and Desorption for Effective Weed Management under Different Soil Types

Background: Adsorption and subsequent release of pre-emergence herbicide into the soil solution decides the herbicide availability to kill the weeds. Herbicides applied on clay or organic rich soil type, absorb more results in lowering its availability in soil solution become sub lethal to kill the weeds, whereas sandy soil adsorb less and desorb more, sometime it increases the herbicide concentration to toxic level to crop. Effective weed control could be achieved by studying the variability of soil and deciding the dose based on the sorption and desorption properties of the soil. Methods: With this information on the background a laboratory experiment was conducted at the Department of Agronomy, Agricultural College and Research Institute, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Madurai, India during 2021 to study the optimum level of oxyflourfen concentration in soil solution required to kill the weeds effectively. The study on sorption and desorption was carried out with pre-emergence herbicide oxyflourfen with five different concentrations in five different soil types. Result: The highest sorption of 98.53 per cent was observed with clayey soils followed by sandy clay loam soils with high organic matter content (96.97 per cent). The lowest sorption (77.96 per cent) was recorded with sandy loam soils. The highest desorption of 57.44 per cent was recorded with sandy loam soil and the lowest desorption percentage (13.18 per cent) was obtained with sandy clay loam soil with higher organic matter. Based on the analytical results of sorption and desorption, oxyflourfen dose was optimized as 0.53 kg ha-1 for sandy clay loam soils with high organic matter, 0.34 kg ha-1 for clay soil, 0.29 kg ha-1 for sandy clay, 0.21 kg ha-1 for sandy clay loam soil and 0.12 kg ha-1 for sandy loam soils. In conclusion, the clay soil required more quantity of oxyflourfen compared to other types of soil for effective management of weeds under irrigated condition.

Linking soil physical quality to shoot and root biomass production in scenarios of sugarcane straw removal

Understanding how sugarcane straw removal affects soil physical attributes and root development over successive cultivation years is critical for sustainable straw-based bioenergy production. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of straw removal on soil physical quality and its relationship with sugarcane root development and crop yield in soils with contrasting textures. Three straw removal rates corresponding to total removal (TR), moderate removal (MR), and no removal (NR) were arranged in a randomized block design with four replicates. Soil was sampled at depths of 0–0.10, 0.10–0.20, and 0.20–0.40 m to determine soil bulk density, macro- and microporosity, soil penetration resistance, and carbon stock. Annual assessments of sugarcane root and stalk dry biomass were conducted. Overall, excessive straw removal rates were detrimental to soil porosity, C stock, and increased bulk density in the surface layer over successive years compared to moderate and no removal rates. Higher soil penetration resistance levels were observed under total removal, reaching values of 2.6 MPa in the 0–0.10 m layer in both soils. Average reductions in root biomass of 23–33% were verified at moderate and total removal rates in both soils, which affected sugarcane stalk yield, with maximum losses of 24% over crop cycles in the clayey soil. In the sandy loam soil, increases in soil C were correlated with reduced soil penetration resistance, which positively influenced root biomass production. Soil compaction over the years was particularly detrimental in the clayey soil, where the biomass production performance of sugarcane roots and stalk yield decreased in response to increased soil bulk density. Our results suggest that reductions in root biomass may occur in response to straw removal, as well as the loss of soil physical quality induced by soil compaction, with negative effects on C accumulation and soil resistance to root penetration.

Investigation of Mechanical and Physical Features of Cementitious Jet Grout Applications for Various Soil Types

The cementitious jet grout method (CJG) is one of the most preferred methods for the ground reinforcement of building foundations. As a result of the soil improvement made with the CJG, it was observed that there was a decrease in settlement, permeability, and liquefaction potential and an increase in the bearing capacity. In this study, columns with different grouting pressures (400, 450, and 500 bar) and water/cement ratios of 0.75, 1.00, and 1.25 were produced on several soil types (sand, clay, and alluvial soil) that have high liquefaction, settlement potential, and low bearing capacity. CJG columns were kept for 28 days after completion and then removed from the soil, and diameter measurements were made and significant differences were observed according to pressure and w/c ratios. Three samples were taken in CJG columns extracted from the ground. Laboratory tests were conducted to determine the physical (water absorption rate, density, and porosity) and mechanical (UCS and UPV) properties of CJG column samples. The highlighting of this paper is to build full-scale CJG columns in sandy soil, clay soil, and alluvial soil, increase the geotechnical engineering properties, and investigate the strength development, and diameter under different w/c ratios and different injection pressures. The strength of CJG columns in sandy soils was found between 36 and 15 MPa, in clay soils between 15 and 4 MPa and in alluvial soils between 32 and 15 MPa. Moreover, it was observed that there was a significant increase in the diameters with the increase in the injection pressure and a decrease in the compressive strengths. When the CJG column diameters were compared with constant injection pressure and increasing w/c ratios, the maximum increase was found to be 13% for sandy soils, 10% for clayey soils, and 14% for alluvial soils. The column diameters were 37% larger for sandy soils than clayey soils and 26% larger than alluvial soils at the same w/c ratio and constant injection pressure. In conclusion, since the results found in this study were made on a real scale in the field and for three different soil conditions, the results can be used directly in future engineering applications.

Influence of remediation by electrokinetic on the chemical and geotechnical properties of clayey soil contaminated by copper sulfate

The enhanced electrokinetic (EK) technique is an innovative approach and increasingly used in remediation of the fine-grained texture soils contaminated with different types of contaminant. In this study, the EK is enhanced by adding an intermediate compartment and using purging solutions at the electrode’s compartments. The natural clayey soil samples were obtained from Al-Ahadab oil field and artificially contaminated with two ratios of copper sulfate (66666.67 and 26666.67 mg/kg). The feasibility of using EK technique was evaluated by the efficiency of extracting copper from soil and the magnitude of recovery in the geotechnical properties of soil. The duration of remediation was continued for about 240-250 hours depending either on the continuity of electroosmosis flow or reach a constant rate of electrical current. The removal efficiency of copper from contaminated soil samples was ranged from 98.4% to 99.6%. The EK remediation technique proved a marginal impact on the specific gravity and Atterberg’s limits, but it has a significant effect on the shear strength parameters and compressibility of soil. Furthermore, the EK technique can be considered an efficient method for removing the low and high concentrations of copper sulfate from clayey soil of low permeability.

Development of state of art test setup to measure thermal conductivity of soils infused with treated and un‐treated natural microorganisms

AbstractSoil is a natural heterogeneous material and from its formation process, heat transfer capacity (thermal conductivity) of soil is playing vital role in many engineering applications. The aim of this research study is to enhance thermal conductivity using natural and treated bacteria from soil samples procured from four different regions namely Dholera, Navsari, Sabarmati River, and Madhavpur of Gujarat, India. To fulfill this objective, thermal conductivity test set‐up was indigenously developed based on guarded hot plate method and is calibrated up to 150°C temperature. The colonies of microorganisms available in soil were studied by serial dilution and spread plate technique. Further, influence of microorganisms on soil structure aggregation pre and post treatment was analyzed by microscope. Four types of microorganisms were introduced in the soil and the thermal conductivity of sample is measured for curing period of 7, 14, 21, and 28 days. The results indicate increment in k value for thermal conductivity in clayey soil up to 26.67% and decrement in sandy soil is up to 45.45%, while most optimum results were observed for 7 days curing period. Present research demonstrates use of microbes available in various soils to enhance heat transfer mechanism through proper identification and treatment.

Assessing soil health in a thermic region of the southern great plains, using the soil management assessment framework (SMAF)

The soil management assessment framework (SMAF) has been widely used as a tool to quantify soil health. However, SMAF was developed using data from only a few climate conditions in the United States and regional verification is often suggested. We evaluated SMAF's short-term performance in a thermic/hyperthermic region, aiming to 1) evaluate the sensitivity of SMAF scores to changes in individual soil properties and 2) quantify soil health changes using SMAF. Treatments include two levels of summer crop and two levels of tillage in an annually planted wheat system. SMAF soil health metrics were measured for Burleson clay soil (BC site) and Parrita sandy clay loam soil (PSCL site) for 0–5 cm soil depth. At the BC site, βgluc and SOC SMAF scores displayed no statistical differences when compared to their respective soil properties. βgluc measurement also helped to highlight the treatment difference observed for wheat yield. This suggests that scoring curves of βgluc used in SMAF may need to be modified, especially for clayey soils. The results also show that SMAF scores were not correlated with wheat yield at both sites, suggesting that multiple year data may be needed to understand this relationship. Overall, in a thermic region, SMAF was found to be helpful to understand short-term soil health status. However, due to clay correction in SMAF algorithm, SMAF scores can show lower sensitivity in the clayey soils of these thermic regions.

Global sensitivity analysis of APSIM-wheat yield predictions to model parameters and inputs

The performance of cropping system models is often limited by uncertainties in model parameters and inputs. This study aims to explore how model yield prediction responds to these uncertainties under various environmental and management conditions. The Sobol’ method was used to investigate the sensitivity of the Agricultural Production Systems SIMulator (APSIM)-Wheat yield prediction to the following factors: air temperature (maximum and minimum), precipitation, initial soil nitrogen content, nitrogen fertilization amount, and soil hydraulic parameters. Eighteen scenarios were defined to consider a combination of three weather conditions (wet, normal, and dry growing season, based on the historical climatology of the Wimmera district of Victoria, Australia), three soil types (sandy, loamy, and clayey soils), and two nitrogen fertilization applications (50 and 100 kg N/ha). Eight thousand APSIM simulations were used to calculate the first order and total sensitivity indices for each scenario. The effects of weather, soil water characteristics and nitrogen availability were estimated by measuring their impacts on sensitivity indices. Our results show that yield was more sensitive either to variables that control water availability (precipitation and soil type) or variables that control nitrogen availability, depending on which was more limiting to wheat growth under the scenario. For example, in case of low nitrogen fertilization scenario, the initial nitrogen content sensitivity ranked first. Variation of this factor contributed 64% to 79% to the variance in simulated yield for clayey soils, nearly four times higher than the second-ranked factor (nitrogen fertilization amount). Soil hydraulic parameters and precipitation were most important when the crop growth was more constrained by water availability than by nitrogen availability. In the case of sandy soils in dry years with high nitrogen fertilization level, soil parameters and precipitation accounted for 83% of the yield variability. Minimum temperature consistently ranked as the least important factor under all scenarios. This work will help researchers better understand the model inputs’ impacts on the simulated yield variability under various soil, management, and weather conditions. The results also support agronomists and practitioners in the optimal use of the APSIM-Wheat model as a management tool.

Improvement of Clayey Soil Characteristics Using Poly Acrylamide Geopolymer

Improvement of Clayey Soil Characteristics Using Poly Acrylamide Geopolymer

An experimental investigation for pullout response of granular pile anchors embedded in clayey soil

An experimental investigation for pullout response of granular pile anchors embedded in clayey soil