Soil Compatibility Research Articles

Bioaccumulation and translocation of radionuclides heavy metals in Cynodon dactylon: A phytoremediation approach in Al-Dora refinery

Oil extraction methods such as fracking and drilling can disperse radioactive elements into the environment, posing potential hazards. Certain plants like Bermuda grass can combat this through rhizodegradation, a process that breaks down pollutants into harmless substances. The efficiency of this process varies by location and is influenced by factors such as soil compatibility and the presence of beneficial microbes. A study showed that Bermuda grass roots absorbed high levels of radioactive elements, especially Uranium in the soil. The distribution and concentration of these isotopes in Bermuda grass varied across different sites. For instance, Cesium-137 showed higher activity in leaves than in soil. These findings highlight the varied accumulation patterns of elements in Bermuda grass and the influence of natural radionuclide distribution on the environment. Approaches like soil amendments, microbial assistance, and genetically modified Bermuda grass can enhance rhizoremediation efficiency. Strategic planning and species selection are key to overcoming rhizoremediation challenges and enhancing its effectiveness. In addition, soil samples from the AL-Dora Refinery showed a high degree of contamination by heavy metals, with the emission from burning fuel and crude oil being the main sources. This indicates the high contamination of soil by these heavy metals. Overall, the text discusses the potential of Bermuda grass in mitigating the environmental impacts of oil extraction through rhizoremediation, and the challenges and strategies in enhancing its effectiveness. It also highlights the issue of soil contamination by heavy metals due to oil refinery emissions. This research examines the levels of heavy metal contamination in the soil of the Al-Dora refinery area, situated in central Iraq. The contamination factor (Cf) was employed to ascertain the contamination status, revealing a significant to extremely high degree of contamination by various heavy metals. The study further investigates the bioaccumulation and translocation of these heavy metals from the soil to the roots and leaves of Cynodon dactylon plants. Two methodologies were utilized to assess the role of Cynodon dactylon in soil phytoremediation: a comparison of heavy metal concentrations in plant parts with global standards, and the application of the Bioconcentration factor (BCF). The findings suggest a high potential for Cynodon dactylon to be employed in the clean-up and phytoremediation process of the contaminated soil. This presents a promising strategy towards environmental remediation in areas contaminated with heavy metals.

A Fuzzy Logic Approach for Best Crop Selection

The agricultural sector faces challenges in selecting suitable crop due to complexity and uncertainty of environmental factors. By using fuzzy technique, we enhance the accuracy in crop selection compare to traditional statistical method. Statistical approaches often rely on precise numerical threshold while, fuzzy logic excels in capturing the vagueness associated with linguistic terms by standard intersection. Considering all parameters like temperature, soil compatibility, water required, production cost and profit enabling farmers to make context aware approach for crop selection. First calculating the gradation of variables and taking minimum intersection of all fuzzy sets from all parameters and then preferring the crop with maximum index. Finite accuracy got by fuzzy logic can be trusted more than statistical method.

Energy Consumption on Farm Automation: Case of Paddy Plantation

Rice farming is one of the most energy-intensive production systems. Energy is becoming a critical factor that requires special attention to maintain efficiency. This study aimed to identify the introduction of automated systems and determine the energy consumption of automated systems in paddy plantations. The research covered Muda Agricultural Development Authority (MADA) areas, a major paddy planting area in Malaysia. Observations and interviews were conducted with selected farmers to obtain detailed data on energy consumption. The paddy planting process consists of nine steps: soil compatibility, condition of paddy fields, soil preparation, planting process, fertilisation, water management, pest control, harvest, and paddy handling. Nevertheless, as an automation system, drones were the only technology used in MADA areas (Region II). The harvesting process consumes the most energy during paddy planting, with an average value of 238.17 MJ, followed by the paddy handling process at 74.34 MJ. By using more powerful automation systems, farmers can reduce dependence on energy and increase yield efficiency. Greater engagement and impressive contributions are needed to enhance the yield and resilience of the agriculture sector.

Modification of Quaternary Clays Using Recycled Fines from Construction and Demolition Waste

Foundation of buildings in soft soil such as quaternary clay is often associated with difficult compaction, settlement, non-uniform and/or excessive deformation, and unsatisfactory shear resistance. The present study aims to assess the possibility of using recycled fines from construction and demolition waste, such as mechanically treated gypsum and waste concrete powder (WCP), instead of ordinary binders or industrial waste, in the stabilization of quaternary clay. A detailed characterization of soil components is presented. Seven mixes with various proportions of gypsum and WCP are prepared. Main geotechnical parameters of the modified soil are studied by applying standardized methods with a few deviations. XRD analysis and pH measurements are performed. It was found that the effect of 5% to 20% recycled di-hydrate gypsum is limited to improvement in moist soil compatibility. A gypsum content of 10% positively impacts soil cohesion and the oedometer modulus. WCP is an active component, containing non-hydrated cement, portlandite, calcite and calcium silicates hydrate. As a result, by adding 5% of WCP only, significant improvement can be achieved: greater soil cohesion, reduced deformability and higher UCS. When 5% of recycled gypsum is also added, soil cohesion is further improved because of ettringite formation.

Assessment of agronomic homogeneity and compatibility of soils in the Vladimir Opolie region

Complexes of gray forest soils of different podzolization degrees with the participation of gray forest podzolized soils with the second humus horizon play a noticeable role in the soil cover patterns of Vladimir Opolie. The agronomic homogeneity and agronomic compatibility of gray forest soils in automorphic positions (“plakor” sites) were assessed on the test field of the Vladimir Agricultural Research Institute. The term “soil homogeneity” implies in our study the closeness of crop yield estimates (scores) for the soil polygons; the term “soil compatibility” implies the possibility to apply the same technologies in the same dates for different soil polygons within a field. To assess the agronomic homogeneity and compatibility of soils, the statistical analysis of the yields of test crop (oats) was performed, and the spatial distribution of the particular parameters of soil hydrothermic regime was studied. The analysis of crop yields showed their high variability: the gray forest soils on microhighs showed the minimal potential fertility, and the maximal fertility was typical of the soils with the second humus horizon in microlows. Soils also differed significantly in their hydrothermic regime, as the gray forest soils with the second humus horizon were heated and cooled slower than the background gray forest soils; their temperature had a stronger lag effect and displayed a narrower amplitude in seasonal fluctuations; and these soils were wetter during the first weeks (40 days) of the growing season. Being colder and wetter, the soils with the second humus horizons reached their physical ripeness later than the gray forest soils. Thus, the soil cover of the test plot in the automorphic position is heterogeneous; from the agronomic standpoint, its components are incompatible.

Effect of crop and soil management practices on soil compatibility in maize and groundnut plots in a Paleustult in Southeastern Nigeria

Frequent occurrences of soil compaction damage resulting from high raindrop impact energy, and from human and animal trafficking during field operations pose a problem to farmers around the tropics. We studied the effect of some crop and soil management practices (manure, mulch, NPK applications, tillage and crop type) on some soil compactibility indices (dry bulk density, cone index, total soil porosity, gravimetric soil water content) in a Typic Paleustult in southeastern Nigeria. The study was carried out for three consecutive planting seasons using two tillage systems and four other soil management practices (poultry droppings + NPK, mulch + NPK, NPK alone and no amendment). These were laid out as split-plot in a RCB design replicated three times and using maize (Zea mays L.) and groundnut (Arachis hypogea) as test crops. Results indicate that the different soil management techniques adopted influenced dry bulk density, penetration resistance, total soil porosity and gravimetric soil water content at 44 and 66 days after planting (DAP) whereas only gravimetric soil water content was affected at 90 DAP. The dry bulk density of tilled maize and groundnut plots increased significantly (P<0.05) by between 2 and 14% relative to no-till plots at 44 and 66 DAP. In both maize and groundnut plots, dry bulk density decreased significantly (P<0.05) in plots amended with poultry droppings +NPK relative to the control plots by 3–10% at 44 and 66 DAP. Tilled maize and groundnut plots had 37–45% lower (P< 0.05) penetration resistance than their corresponding no-till plots at both 44 and 66 DAP. Penetration resistance measurements were lower by 16.5–25% in plots amended with poultry droppings + NPK relative to unamended plots at 44 and 66 DAP. Cumulative (1996, 1997, 1998) data indicate that gravimetric soil water content in maize and groundnut plots generally increased significantly (P<0.05) in no-till plots relative to tilled plots by 18–27% at both 44 and 66 DAP. Plots amended with poultry droppings + NPK had between 24 and 111% increase (P<0.05) in soil gravimetric soil water content at both 44 and 66 DAP. Results are indicative that all soil compactibility indices measured were not affected at 90 DAP except for soil gravimetric soil water content in 1996 and 1998. Results from this work demonstrate that some crop and soil management practices could be used to reduce soil compactibility problems thus increasing productivity of such soils.

Effectiveness of sugarcane residue incorporation at different water contents and the Proctor compaction loads in reducing soil compactibility

Incorporation of crop residues into the soil can reduce its susceptibility to compaction. However, the significance of incorporated crop residue at different soil water contents at the time of compaction and the compaction loads is not well documented. The compactibility of three soils which contained different amounts of sugarcane residue was investigated at different water contents and compaction loads. The compaction loads were chosen to simulate the energy exerted by harvesters, trucks, vanguards, transporters and the standard Proctor test, respectively. A clay loam soil (Typic Ustochrepts), a clay soil (Typic Calciorthis), and a silty clay soil (Typic Torrifluvens) were thoroughly mixed with sugarcane residues of 0, 6.9 and 15.3 g per kg of soils, corresponding to 0, 27 and 60 Mg ha −1, respectively. The sugarcane residue–soil mixtures were compacted using the standard Proctor procedure with different rammer drops, and dry bulk density was measured. The compaction was carried out at different soil water contents related to the consistency limits of the soils. Sugarcane residue was effective in reducing bulk density obtained with different compaction loads at different water contents. The optimum water content for maximum bulk density under compaction load of 551 J was obtained at 0.8 plastic limit (PL). For other compaction loads, however, the optimum moisture content was at PL. Results suggested that soil compatibility caused by heavy machinery of sugarcane production at water content lower than PL, can be reduced by incorporating 60 Mg ha −1 of sugarcane residue. Filed tests are required in order to verify the laboratory experimental data.

Structural stability of Chernozemic soils as affected by exchangeable sodium and electrolyte concentration

The stability of soil structure in the presence of exchangeable Na is an important factor determining the success of irrigation developments using sodic waters. Our objective was to determine the effects of sodium adsorption ratio [SAR = Na/((Ca + Mg)/2)0.5, where concentrations are expressed in mmolc L−1] and electrolyte concentration on saturated hydraulic conductivity (K) and on macroscopic swelling in a range of Brown Chernozemic soils from southern Saskatchewan. All soils showed the same general response to sodicity (SAR) and electrolyte concentration of the leaching solution, i.e., K decreased as SAR increased and as salt concentration decreased. However, major differences existed between the soils in their susceptibility to Na-induced structural deterioration. For example, at SAR 20, the electrolyte concentration needed to maintain stable structure ranged from about 5 to 30 mmolc L−1. Our results indicated that use of a generalized threshold concentration curve to partition stable from unstable structure would not be satisfactory for all irrigated prairie soils. Texture was a major source of variation between soils; the limits on acceptable irrigation water SAR should generally be decreased as clay content increases. Swelling and dispersion of soil clays both contributed to sodicity-induced K decline. Soil clays swelled appreciably when soil exchangeable Na percentage exceeded about 10. In contrast to swelling, which was relatively insensitive to electrolyte concentration, clay dispersion was only observed at low salt concentrations (≤ 20 mmolc L−1. In implementing irrigation water:soil compatibility guidelines, it will be necessary to identify soils which deviate substantially from general or average behavior because of their propensity to disperse or swell. Key words: Sodicity hazard, threshold concentration curves, clay swelling

Compatibility of Compacted Soils with Municipal Waste Combustion Ash Leachates

Abstract Hydraulic conductivity values for three compacted soils were used as indices of compatibility of the soils with two municipal waste combustion (MWC) ash leachates. Specimens of the three soils were compacted to 90% of proctor compaction (ASTM D 693) in double-ring permeameters and permeated first with water (0.005 N CaSO4) and then with MWC ash leachate. The hydraulic conductivity values of the soils did not change significantly after passage of more than two pore volumes of either MWC ash leachate. All three compacted soils were compatible with both MWC ash leachates.