Impact of Soil Amendments Application for Ameliorating the Hydraulic Properties and Solute Transport of Coarse - Textured Soils

Abstract

Laboratory experiments established to investigate the effect of different amendments on the hydraulic properties and solute transport in saturated sandy soil columns. Three soil amendments were used, namely, banana peel ground, chitosan, and acryhope polymer. Two amounts of each amendment added to the soil as 10 and 20 g Kg -1 air dried soil for banana peel ground and Chitosan, and 0.1 and 0.2 g Kg -1 air dried soil for acryhope polymer. Control treatment (soil only) was benefited. The treatments were homogenously mixed with the soil then packed in PVC columns under saturated steady state condition. A solution CaCl2 (0.01 N) + K2SO4 (100 ppm K) was applied to soil columns until the relative concentration (C/Co) reach unity. Effluents were collected to measure water and nutrient transport. The results showed that all amendments increased soil water content, decreased saturated hydraulic conductivity (Kh) and decreased pore water velocity (PWV) compared with control. The best amendment was banana peel ground 2% in decreasing Kh and PWV, so the soil will hold more water. In addition, banana peels 2% is the effective amendments that increased potassium availability in soil, through retarding it. It is concluded that use of amendment in sandy soil to improve soil hydro-physical properties. Addition of amendments to soil reduces leaching of nutrient and has an economical benefit and environmental impact. Use of banana peels has many advantages such as enhancement of soil properties and it is a good way in waste management.