Biochar Effects on Soil Compaction in Two Contrasting Soils

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sami Ul Haq ◽  
Frank G.A Verheijen ◽  
Tobias Möerz ◽  
Oscar Gonzalves Pelayo
Keyword(s):  
Organic Carbon ◽  
Soil Organic Carbon ◽  
Soil Compaction ◽  
Soil Column ◽  
Primary Objective ◽  
Infiltration Capacity ◽  
Mean Weight Diameter ◽  
Proctor Test ◽  
Load Height ◽  
Standard Proctor Test

<p>Although research on biochar use in soils has increased, its influence on soil compaction has been reported relatively little.<strong> </strong>The primary objective of this study was to measure the effects of biochar amendment on soil compaction, including infiltration capacity and aggregation, of two contrasting soils: a low soil organic carbon and hydrophilic degraded vineyard soil and a wildfire-degraded high soil organic carbon and hydrophobic forest soil.</p><p>We conducted a controlled laboratory soil column study (6 replicates), with PVC tubes filled with control soils and soil-biochar mixtures at a range of moisture contents. The mixtures were compacted under a falling load height that mimicked the standard proctor test. After the compaction procedure, infiltration capacity was determined with a mini disk infiltrometer, and bulk density and mean weight diameter were determined for the upper and lower halves of the soil column.</p>

scholarly journals Topographic Position, Land Use and Soil Management Effects on Soil Organic Carbon (Vineyard Region of Niš, Serbia)

Agronomy ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (7) ◽  
pp. 1438
Author(s):  
Snežana Jakšić ◽  
Jordana Ninkov ◽  
Stanko Milić ◽  
Jovica Vasin ◽  
Milorad Živanov ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Land Use ◽  
Surface Layer ◽  
Spatial Distribution ◽  
Soil Erosion ◽  
Organic Carbon ◽  
Soil Organic Carbon ◽  
Soil Compaction ◽  
Soil Management ◽  
Forest Land ◽  
Topographic Position

Spatial distribution of soil organic carbon (SOC) is the result of a combination of various factors related to both the natural environment and anthropogenic activities. The aim of this study was to examine (i) the state of SOC in topsoil and subsoil of vineyards compared to the nearest forest, (ii) the influence of soil management on SOC, (iii) the variation in SOC content with topographic position, (iv) the intensity of soil erosion in order to estimate the leaching of SOC from upper to lower topographic positions, and (v) the significance of SOC for the reduction of soil’s susceptibility to compaction. The study area was the vineyard region of Niš, which represents a medium-sized vineyard region in Serbia. About 32% of the total land area is affected, to some degree, by soil erosion. However, according to the mean annual soil loss rate, the total area is classified as having tolerable erosion risk. Land use was shown to be an important factor that controls SOC content. The vineyards contained less SOC than forest land. The SOC content was affected by topographic position. The interactive effect of topographic position and land use on SOC was significant. The SOC of forest land was significantly higher at the upper position than at the middle and lower positions. Spatial distribution of organic carbon in vineyards was not influenced by altitude, but occurred as a consequence of different soil management practices. The deep tillage at 60–80 cm, along with application of organic amendments, showed the potential to preserve SOC in the subsoil and prevent carbon loss from the surface layer. Penetrometric resistance values indicated optimum soil compaction in the surface layer of the soil, while low permeability was observed in deeper layers. Increases in SOC content reduce soil compaction and thus the risk of erosion and landslides. Knowledge of soil carbon distribution as a function of topographic position, land use and soil management is important for sustainable production and climate change mitigation.

scholarly journals Soil compaction and eucalyptus growth in response to forwarder traffic intensity and load

2008 ◽  
Vol 32 (3) ◽  
pp. 921-932 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sérgio Ricardo da Silva ◽  
Nairam Félix de Barros ◽  
Liovando Marciano da Costa ◽  
Fernando Palha Leite
Keyword(s):  
Organic Carbon ◽  
Soil Organic Carbon ◽  
Soil Compaction ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Geometric Mean ◽  
Tree Height ◽  
Total Porosity ◽  
Infiltration Rate ◽  
Traffic Intensity ◽  
Number Of Passes

During timber exploitation in forest stands harvesting machines pass repeatedly along the same track and can cause soil compaction, which leads to soil erosion and restricted tree root growth. The level of soil compaction depends on the number of passes and weight of the wood load. This paper aimed to evaluate soil compaction and eucalyptus growth as affected by the number of passes and wood load of a forwarder. The study was carried out in Santa Maria de Itabira county, Minas Gerais State - Brazil, on a seven-year-old eucalyptus stand planted on an Oxisol. The trees were felled by chainsaw and manually removed. Plots of 144 m² (four rows 12 m long in a 3 x 2 m spacing) were then marked off for the conduction of two trials. The first tested the traffic intensity of a forwarder which weighed 11,900 kg and carried 12 m³ wood (density of 480 kg m-3) and passed 2, 4, and 8 times along the same track. In the second trial, the forwarder carried loads of 4, 8, and 12 m³ of wood, and the machine was driven four times along the same track. In each plot, the passes affected four rows. Eucalyptus was planted in 30 x 30 x 30 cm holes on the compacted tracks. The soil in the area is clayey (470 clay and 440 g kg-1 sand content) and at depths of 0-5 cm and 5-10 cm, respectively, soil organic carbon was 406 and 272 g kg-1 and the moisture content during the trial 248 and 249 g kg-1. These layers were assessed for soil bulk density and water-stable aggregates. The infiltration rate was measured by a cylinder infiltrometer. After 441 days the measurements were repeated, with additional analyses of: soil organic carbon, total nitrogen, N-NH4+, N-NO3-, porosity, and penetration resistance. Tree height, stem diameter, and stem dry matter were measured. Forwarder traffic increased soil compaction, resistance to penetration and microporosity while it reduced the geometric mean diameter, total porosity, macroporosity and infiltration rate. Stem dry matter yield and tree height were not affected by soil compaction. Two passes of the forwarder were enough to cause the disturbances at the highest levels. The compaction effects were still persistent 441 days after forwarder traffic.

Water-stable aggregates of flooded Inceptisols from south-eastern Nigeria in relation to mineralogy and chemical properties

Soil Research ◽  
2004 ◽  
Vol 42 (2) ◽  
pp. 171 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charles A. Igwe ◽  
Karl Stahr
Keyword(s):  
Organic Carbon ◽  
Soil Organic Carbon ◽  
Chemical Properties ◽  
Aggregate Stability ◽  
Age Hardening ◽  
Organic Carbon Content ◽  
Soil Aggregate Stability ◽  
Water Stable Aggregates ◽  
Mean Weight Diameter ◽  
Favourable Environment

Information on the influence of chemical and mineralogical properties on soil aggregate stability of field soils subjected to waterlogging at some time of the year is essential for better management of these soils. We studied water-stable aggregates (WSA) of various sizes for clay flocculation index, soil organic carbon, total elements, and mineralogy of the soil, and related these properties to aggregate stability. Five soil profiles sited on the floodplain of the River Niger were studied. The topsoils were dominated in all profiles except near the river by WSA�>�2.00�mm. Also the mean-weight diameter (MWD) of the topsoil followed the trend in WSA > 2.00 mm. Thixotropic age hardening appeared to be responsible for the rather high values of WSA > 2.00 and MWD in the topsoil. Soil organic carbon content associated significantly better with macroaggregates than microaggregates. The aggregating effects of the polyvalent cations manifested more on the microaggregates. The stabilising role of various forms of Fe, Al, and Mn oxides is believed to be as result of their large surface area, abundance, and the favourable environment for their formation. These polyvalent metals may have formed bridges between clay and organic matter in the formation of aggregates.

Prediction of soil organic carbon partition coefficients by soil column liquid chromatography

2004 ◽  
Vol 1035 (1) ◽  
pp. 31-36 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rongbo Guo ◽  
Xinmiao Liang ◽  
Jiping Chen ◽  
Wenzhong Wu ◽  
Qing Zhang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Column Liquid Chromatography ◽  
Liquid Chromatography ◽  
Organic Carbon ◽  
Soil Organic Carbon ◽  
Partition Coefficients ◽  
Soil Column

scholarly journals Assessment of Soil Compaction – A Project Study

1970 ◽  
Vol 3 ◽  
Author(s):  
Md Gazi Ferooz Rahman ◽  
MDH Talukder ◽  
AHMM Rahman
Keyword(s):  
Soil Compaction ◽  
Road Construction ◽  
Engineering Properties ◽  
Unit Weight ◽  
Dry Density ◽  
Maximum Dry Density ◽  
Project Study ◽  
Proctor Test ◽  
Standard Proctor Test

Soil compaction is one of the most important aspects of any earthwork construction. Compaction improves the engineering properties of the fills. Nearly all compaction specifications are based on achieving a certain value of dry unit weight (γd). During construction, the geotechnical engineers measure the unit weight of compacted soil in the field to verify the contractor’s compliance with the requirement. This paper is a project study of road construction project "Road Zia Colony to Mirpur Cantonment". Soil samples were collected from five different locations. In situ dry density was obtained by Sand Cone Test from each location. The laboratory tests (Standard Proctor Test) were carried out to find out the dry density for each sample. The maximum dry density in relation to moisture content was obtained. Relative compaction (CR) of soil at each location was then calculated to the soil compaction of the said road project.KEY WORDS: Compaction; porosity; density; Unit Weight DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/mist.v3i0.8046

Sorption of the Pesticide Aldicarb by Soil: Its Mobility Through a Saturated Medium in the Presence of Dissolved Organic Matter

1988 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 253-269 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. Lafrance ◽  
L. Ait-ssi ◽  
O. Banton ◽  
P.G.C. Campbell ◽  
J.P. Villeneuve
Keyword(s):  
Organic Carbon ◽  
Soil Organic Carbon ◽  
Carbon Content ◽  
Humic Substances ◽  
Soil Column ◽  
Soil Samples ◽  
Saturated Soil ◽  
Organic Carbon Content ◽  
Treated Soil ◽  
Dissolved Humic Substances

Abstract Adsorption characteristics of the radiolabeled pesticide aldicarb (2-methyl-2-(methyl-14C-thio)-propionaldehyde-O-methycarbamoyO-oxime) on loamy sand and its mobility through a water-saturated soil column were studied. This study emphasizes the effect of soil organic carbon content and of dissolved humic materials on the sorption characteristics of aldicarb. Dissolved humic substances at 25 mg/L present a very small binding affinity for aldicarb (“association constant” ≈ 20 [nmol/g carbon]/[nmol/g water]) and do not significantly affect the sorption rate for this pesticide. Freundlich isotherms were determined for aldicarb sorption on the original soil (% o.c. = 2.2) and on soil samples treated to reduce the initial soil organic carbon content (% o.c. = 0.8). If linear isotherms are assumed, the adsorption coefficient KD is nearly three-fold higher for the original soil than for the treated soil samples. The ratios of the KD values obtained for adsorption in the presence and in the absence of dissolved humic substances (25 mg/L) were 1.3 and 1.4, respectively, for the original and for the treated soil samples: this indicates that humic substances could modify only slightly aldicarb transport in soil. Effluent concentration profiles for the movement of the radiolabeled pesticide through a 30-cm long saturated soil column indicate a retardation factor R = 1.4. This R value is related to hydrolysis product of aldicarb, since no detectable parent compound was found in the column effluent. Results showed 45% loss of the initial radioactivity applied on the soil column: this could be attributed to irreversible adsorption and to biodegradation of the pesticide compounds.

scholarly journals Evaluating Soil Carbon as a Proxy for Erosion Risk in the Spatio-Temporal Complex Hydropower Catchment in Upper Pangani, Northern Tanzania

Earth ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (4) ◽  
pp. 764-780
Author(s):  
Aloyce I. M. Amasi ◽  
Maarten Wynants ◽  
Remigius A. Kawala ◽  
Shovi F. Sawe ◽  
William H. Blake ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Land Use ◽  
Organic Carbon ◽  
Soil Organic Carbon ◽  
Aggregate Stability ◽  
Soil Erodibility ◽  
Good Representation ◽  
Strong Positive Correlation ◽  
Infiltration Capacity ◽  
Erosion Risk ◽  
Northern Tanzania

Land use conversion is generally accompanied by large changes in soil organic carbon (SOC). SOC influences soil erodibility through its broad control on aggregate stability, soil structure and infiltration capacity. However, soil erodibility is also influenced by soil properties, clay mineralogy and other human activities. This study aimed to evaluate soil organic carbon as proxy of soil erosion risk in the Nyumba ya Mungu (NYM) catchment in Northern Tanzania. Soil organic carbon (SOC) was measured by an AgroCares scanner from which the soil organic matter (SOM) was derived using the conversional van Bemmelen factor of 1.72. A regression analysis performed between the measured loss on ignition (LOI) values and SOM from the AgroScanner showed a strong positive correlation in all land use classes (LOIFL R2 = 0.85, r = 0.93, p < 0.0001; LOICL R2 = 0.86, r = 0.93, p = 0.0001; LOIGL R2 = 0.68, r = 0.83, p = 0.003; LOIBS R2 = 0.88, r = 0.94, p = 0.0001; LOIBL R2 = 0.83, r = 0.91, p = 0.0002). This indicates that SOC from the soil scanner provided a good representation of the actual SOM present in soils. The study also revealed significant differences in the soil aggregate stability (WSA) and SOM stock between the different land use types in the Upper Pangani Basin. The WSA decreases approximately in the following order: grassland > forest land > bare land > cultivated > bush land. Land use change can thus potentially increase the susceptibility of soil to erosion risk when SOC is reduced. Since WSA was directly related to SOM, the study indicates that, where formal measurements are limited, this simple and inexpensive aggregate stability test can be used by farmers to monitor changes in their soils after management changes and to tentatively assess SOC and soil health.

scholarly journals Effects of organic mulching on soil aggregate stability and aggregate binding agents in an urban forest in Beijing, China

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wei Zhou ◽  
Xiangyang Sun ◽  
Suyan Li ◽  
Tiantian Du ◽  
Yi Zheng ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Organic Carbon ◽  
Soil Organic Carbon ◽  
Urban Forest ◽  
Geometric Mean ◽  
Aggregate Stability ◽  
Soil Aggregate ◽  
Wood Chips ◽  
Soil Aggregate Stability ◽  
Mean Weight Diameter ◽  
Soil Protein

AbstractUrban forest soil is often disturbed by rapid urbanization. Organic mulching is effective for improving soil quality and aggregate stability. This study evaluated how soil binding agents changed aggregate stability through organic mulching in urban forest soils. Three treatments were applied in Jiufeng National Forest Park, Beijing: (1) no organic mulch (control); (2) wood chips alone (5 cm thickness); and, (3) wood chips + wood compost (This mulch was divided into two layers, the upper layer of wood chips (2.5 cm), the lower layer wood compost (2.5 cm)). Soil samples were collected from the surface 10- cm soil layer and fraction into four aggregates. Glomalin-related soil protein and soil organic carbon were measured in bulk soil and the four aggregates. The results show that wood chips + wood compost increased the proportion of large and small macroaggregates, mean weight diameter and geometric mean diameter. The total and easily extractable glomalin-related soil protein were higher in the wood chips + wood compost. However, soil organic carbon was lower in the wood chips alone application compared to the controls and wood chips + wood compost. Easily extractable / total glomalin-related soil protein and glomalin-related soil protein / soil organic carbon ratios of wood chips alone and wood chips + wood compost had increased trend compared to the controls but did not reach significant levels (p > 0.05). Mean weight diameter and geometric mean diameter correlated positively with total and easily extractable glomalin-related soil protein but were not positively correlated with soil organic carbon, the ratios of easily extractable and total glomalin-related soil protein, and the ratios of glomalin-related soil protein and soil organic carbon. Redundancy analysis revealed that total glomalin-related soil protein was the most important driver for soil aggregate stability, especially the total glomalin-related soil protein of small macroaggregates. The results suggest that wood chips + wood compost enhanced soil aggregate stability through the increase of glomalin-related soil protein. Wood chips alone cannot enhance soil aggregate stability in urban forests in the short term.

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