The effectiveness of jute and coir blankets for erosion control in different field and laboratory conditions

Abstract

Abstract. Vegetation cover is found to be an ideal solution to most problems of erosion on steep slopes. Biodegradable geotextiles (GTXs) have been proved to provide sufficient protection against soil loss in the period before vegetation reaches maturity, so favouring soil formation processes. In this study, 500 g m −2 jute (J500), 400 g m −2 (C400), and 700 g m −2 coir (C700) GTXs were first installed on a 9 • slope under "no-infiltration" laboratory conditions, then on a 27 • slope under natural field conditions. The impact of GTXs on run-off and soil loss was investigated to compare the performance of GTXs under different conditions. Laboratory run-off ratio (percentage portion of control plot) equalled 78, 83, and 91 %, while peak discharge ratio equalled 83, 91, and 97 % for J500, C700, and C400 respectively. In the field, a run-off ratio of 31, 62, and 79 %, and peak discharge ratio of 37, 74, and 87 % were recorded for C700, J500, and C400 respectively. All tested GTXs significantly decreased soil erosion. The greatest soil loss reduction in the field was observed for J500 (by 99.4 %), followed by C700 (by 97.9 %) and C400 (by 93.8 %). Irrespective of slope gradient or experimental condition, C400 performed with lower run-off and peak discharge reduction than J500 and C700. The performance ranking of J500 and C700 in the laboratory differed from the field, which may be explained by different slope gradients, and also by the role of soil, which was not included in the laboratory experiment.

Hillslope Erosion Mitigation: An Experimental Proof of a Nature-Based Solution

“…Smets et al [45] performed a review on the ability of geotextiles in reducing runoff and soil erosion, based on laboratory studies, analyzing several factors, as plot length, cover percentage, slope gradient, rainfall duration and intensity, and geotextile type. Similar field and laboratory tests have been carried out by Kalibová et al [46,47]. Field studies on jute and jute mats have been performed by Mitchel et al [48] to demonstrate their effectiveness for controlling erosion and runoff.…”

Field studies on the soil loss reduction effectiveness of three biodegradable geotextiles

“…Given the rather steep plot slopes (more than 60%) and the moderately high Imax values, this result is remarkable. In similar studies, the erosion rate from jute net was found to be highly controlled by the plot slope, with high effectiveness values (99%) in case of slopes less than 30° (Kalibová et al, 2016), and with extremely low efficiency in case of steep slope (60°) (Álvarez Mozos et al, 2014). However, numerous studies have confirmed that jute net typically results in positive soil loss reduction compared to the control in both field and laboratory conditions (Mitchell et al, 2003;Álvarez Mozos et al, 2014).…”

Sediment Outflow under Simulated Rainfall Conditions with Varying Geotechnical Properties

“…Jute is a natural organic fiber that is also ecofriendly. It was widely used in combination with vegetation to control erosion of exposed soil (Kalibová et al 2016). Jute fiber was available in two different varieties woven and nonwoven and possessed a high degree of flexibility with a small percentage of elongation at break.…”