Water repellency of post-boggy soils with a various content of organic matter

Abstract

The objective of this study was to estimate the water repellency of post-boggy soils in north-eastern Poland. Potential water repellency was determined based on the water drop penetration time (WDPT) test and the molarity of an ethanol droplet (MED) test. A total of 276 soil samples with a varied organic carbon (OC) content, ranging from trace amounts in sandy subsoils to 44.4% in organic soils, were analyzed. The investigated material represents peat-muck soils (Eutri-Sapric Histsols) and muck-like soils (Arenic Gleysols, Areni-Humic Gleysols, Gleyic Arenosols). The mineral matter of the analyzed soils comprised loose sand. The obtained results indicate that peat soil formations are marked by higher potential water repellency than muck soil formations. The highest WDPT values (16 390 s) were reported in respect of an alder peat sample with 41.9% OC content, collected at a depth of 55-60 cm. In the group of muck soils, a sample with 36.7% OC content, collected at a depth of 15-20 cm, was marked by the highest water repellency (WDPT 10 492 s). The water repellency of the studied soils is dependent on organic matter content, and it is manifested only when organic matter content is higher than 20%. Soils with OC content of up to 12% show low water repellency or are hydrophilic. Organic soil formations (>12% OC) are characterized by a varied degree of water repellency, but WDPT values in excess of 2000 s are reported only in respect of soils containing more than 35% OC. A significant positive correlation between the content of organic matter, organic carbon, total nitrogen and water repellency was observed in the entire studied population (n = 276). A significant positive correlation was also found between WDPT values and the C:N ratio, while a significant negative correlation was reported in respect of pHH 2 O.

Effects of peat drainage on labile organic carbon and water repellency in NE Poland

“…It is thought that irreversible drying of organic matter is one of the main causes of water repellency of soil (Lachacz et al, 2009), which is particularly important in drained peatlands as they can no longer fulfill the role of a "sponge" for water. However, the time the soil needs to absorb water varies greatly, which has been noted in previous studies (Lachacz et al, 2009;Orzechowski et al, 2013). It should also be noted that we investigated the potential water repellency in air-dried soil samples at the sites that were differently influenced by the moorsh-forming processes.…”

Droplet infiltration dynamics and soil wettability related to soil organic matter of soil aggregate coatings and interiors

“…Kořenková et al, 2015). It was shown (e.g., Blanco-Canqui and Lal, 2009;Goebel et al, 2008;Lachacz et al, 2009;Vogelmann et al, 2013) that soil water sorptivity decreased exponentially with increasing SOM content. Czachor et al (2013), Leelamanie and Karube (2007), Vogelmann et al (2013), and Woche et al, (2005) also reported a non-linear increase of the contact angle with SOM content.…”

Effects of Soil Water Repellency on Moisture Patterns in a Degraded Sapric Histosol

“…The phenomenon of SWR in mineral soils has been relatively well documented (Jordán et al , ), whereas SWR in peat soils has been studied less often. Research by Berglund & Persson (), Lachacz et al (), Orzechowski et al () & Hewelke () investigated factors influencing SWR in peat (organic), and Szatylowicz et al () examined spatial and temporal moisture variations in peat. These studies indicate that peat SWR depends on the SMC but can also strongly affect the soil moisture distribution.…”