The effect of natural and chemical stabilizers on soil wind erosion control in the southeast of Ahvaz, Iran

doi:10.21203/rs.3.rs-3407314/v1

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The effect of natural and chemical stabilizers on soil wind erosion control in the southeast of Ahvaz, Iran

https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-3407314/v1

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Soil wind erosion control has a significant importance for humans and the environment, especially in arid and semi-arid regions. Iran, especially in Khuzestan province, is greatly affected by soil wind erosion and the phenomenon of fine dust in recent years. One of the best practical methods to control this destructive phenomenon, is to restrain it at the source through the stabilization of soil in the region. In this paper, the effect of four natural and chemical stabilizers, Polyvinyl acetate, Bentonite, Zeolite, and Silica sol has been studied on the soil of southeast of Ahvaz in Khuzestan. Soil samples were gathered from the study area on trays, and stabilizer solutions were sprayed on each tray to prepare them for the wind tunnel test, Vane shear test, and SEM imagery. The tests were performed 7 and 30 days after the sample preparation to assess the effect of time passing on samples, too. The best performance in terms of soil erosion control, shear strength, and time-passing effect, was observed in the samples stabilized with Silica sol and Polyvinyl acetate. By analyzing SEM images, it was observed that Silica sol and Polyvinyl acetate solutions produced bigger soil particles than the other stabilizers.

soil wind erosion

soil stabilizers

fine dust

Ahvaz

wind tunnel

Vane shear test

SEM

One of the primary factors contributing to land deterioration in arid and semi-arid areas is the phenomenon of wind erosion of soil, which has negative effects like fine dust. Every year, this phenomenon generates between 500 and 5000 megatons of dust and destroys over 500 million hectares of land, equivalent to 4.46% of the world's eroded land [1]. When the erosive power of wind surpasses the threshold level of erosion resistance of the soil, soil particles are separated and transported depending on the soil moisture, roughness of the surfaces, particle size, vegetation, and height of the land. As a result, fine particles enter the atmospheric flow and produce dust [2]. Dust emissions from soil erosion by wind have a variety of impacts, including soil nutrient loss, damage to growing plants and decreased agricultural production, air pollution and related respiratory diseases, changes to the world's biogeochemical cycles, and changes to the quantity of solar irradiance in the atmosphere [3, 4]. Investigating on wind erosion management methods has a significant importance, especially in arid and semi-arid regions. One of Iran's main areas for producing dust, is the Khuzestan Plain, which has hurt the economy, environment, and public health. Regarding desertification and wind erosion, the Khuzestan Plain is one of the harshest regions in Iran, and dust production is a common phenomenon in the region. It is inevitable to prevent severe biological, economic, and social damage caused by fine dust due to the presence of a large number of cities, dense populations, and important places in the country such as Khuzestan province [5].

According to the 2011 report of the World Health Organization, the city of Ahvaz has the highest level of air pollution among 1,110 cities in the world [6]. A review of 10-year statistics (2005 to 2014) of Ahvaz meteorological stations shows that 84.2% of the dust storms that hit the station are of foreign origin, 9.5% are of domestic origin, and 6.3% are of combined domestic and foreign origin. Although the share of domestic origin in the production of dust is less than foreign origin, due to the severe land degradation, especially agricultural land, and desertification, the domestic origin control program should be especially followed [7].

According to the findings of a study conducted by Iran's Geological Survey and Mineral Exploration Organization, the areas in the southeast of Ahvaz are the most critical domestic origin of dust production, and have the priority for the operation of controlling the domestic origins of dust production in Khuzestan province [8]. Therefore, a study on this origin is necessary to find a suitable material to stabilize the soil and reduce soil erosion, resulting to reduce the phenomenon of fine dust and the problems caused by it in the areas affected by this phenomenon.

There are many different approaches available for preventing wind erosion and the formation of fine dust. Typically, these procedures are classified into three groups: farming techniques, mechanical methods, and surface layer reinforcement. In dry and semi-arid regions, the implementation of mechanical and farming techniques may be challenging due to the high costs, unsuitability of the soil, inability of plant development, protracted growth time, and the need for water resources for plant growth [9, 10]. Therefore, reinforcement of the surface layer is favored over other ways because it requires less time to put into practice, and the cost of surface stabilization is more reasonable [11]. By preserving the moisture in the soil, and producing bigger particles, this technique can considerably cut down on the likelihood of wind erosion occurring.

This study examines and compares the effectiveness of four natural and chemical stabilizers in preventing wind erosion in the southeast of Ahvaz. In addition, it investigates the impact of time passage on the stabilizer’s performance, and will choose the appropriate stabilizer for use in actual applications to control the fine dust phenomena. There has been a lot of research done all around the globe so far to try to figure out how to stabilize the soil to lessen the amount of wind erosion and raise the shear strength of the soil. Movahedan et al. (2008) used a polymer material based on Polyvinyl acetate on three different kinds of soil (sand, silt, and clay). A wind tunnel was used in a lab to examine how this polymer affected the quantity of wind erosion. The results were compared with those of the water-treated samples. According to the findings of erosion experiments conducted in a wind tunnel at a speed of 26 m/s, there was a noticeable difference in the quantity of wind erosion experienced by soil samples stabilized with polymer material and those treated with water. In comparison to samples treated with water, the addition of Polyvinyl acetate polymer (25 grams per square meter) has decreased wind erosion to zero in samples of sand, and 10% in samples of soil with medium and heavy texture [12]. Ayubi et al. (2017), examined the impact of Polyvinyl acetate and Bentonite clay on some physical and mechanical properties of windblown sediments. The results demonstrated a considerably favorable impact of Polyvinyl acetate and Bentonite clay mulches on the soil stability index and shear strength. [13]. Three different kinds of stabilizers were utilized by Rauch et al. (2003) to stabilize the soil. The clay was mixed with various polymers in various ratios. The rise in shear strength was seen in the results, considerably [14]. In a study by Han et al. (2006), four emulsion polymers were used to stabilize dune sand. The results showed a significant increase in the shear strength of the stabilized samples [15]. The studies of Shainberg et al. (1992), demonstrated that the polymer was unable to enter the soil grains. However, it creates a bond around the soil grains, making them more stable [16]. Homayoni et al. (2011), investigated the stabilization of aeolian sand with Polyvinyl acetate polymer. The results of the bearing capacity tests indicated that this polymer has the potential to increase the resistance of aeolian sand in dry conditions and has a very low decrease in soil resistance in saturated conditions compared to dry conditions. They also concluded that the optimal amount of polymer in the composition is 3% by weight of the soil, and the optimal time for the maximum effect is 28 days [17]. Faizi et al. (2019), investigated the wind erosion of eroded soil of the desert in Isfahan province by adding Bentonite and Polyvinyl acetate to sand soil and using a wind tunnel. The results showed a reduction in erosion, which was more significant with the use of Bentonite clay [18].

By employing the mineral Zeolite clinoptilolite and grinding it into powder across four distinct experiments, Taheri et al. (2016), stabilized the soil of the desert region. The mixture of Zeolite powder, water, Silica sol, and tragacanth as a tackifier produced results that were satisfactory in terms of soil resistance to displacement even at high speeds of wind [19].

This study, investigated the ideal quantity of single and combined usage of four stabilizers, Zeolite, Bentonite, Polyvinyl acetate polymer, and Silica sol, to prevent soil erosion, and assess their impact on the soil shear strength parameters in the southeast soil of Ahvaz. The best stabilizers have been chosen to control the fine dust phenomena in the area regarding the environmental consequences of the evaluated products.

2.1. Study area

The soil samples were collected from the southeast of Ahvaz, the most critical domestic origin of dust in Khuzestan, with latitudes of 31^o 10’ 37.7” and longitude of 48^o 48’ 12.05”. This area includes parts from the west of Nahr-al Maleh in the south of Ahvaz to the west of Jarrahi and Ramshir. It includes a group of dried water reservoirs located at the west of Maleh Creek, at the end of the Kupal River, and the end of some seasonal streams on the southern side of the Maroon anticline. The total area of these regions is about 112,636 hectares, of which 40,000 hectares have been identified as super-critical. average annual precipitation is 213 mm, with the majority falling in the winter and spring. The average temperature is 25^oC. The area's typical wind speed is 8 m/s, with the erosion threshold speed of 7.86 m/s. Figure 1 depicts where the study area is located.

2.2. Experiments

2.2.1. Determining the physical characteristics of the soil

Soil samples were collected to a depth of 5 cm, and after transferring the laboratory the following tests were performed: granulation tests with standard sieve analysis and hydrometer method according to ASTM D422 standard, liquid limit, and plastic limit according to ASTM D4318 standard, moisture content according to ASTM D2216 standard, the density of solid grains according to the ASTM D854 standard, and the Dry density of soil according to the ASTM D1556 standard. The results of the soil granulation test are shown in Fig. 2. Other test results are summarized in Table 1. This soil is considered silty loam soil in the Unified Soil Classification.

Table 1

Physical characteristics of the soil samples
Texture	e	n	ω	PL	LL	Gs	γ d
Silty Loam	0.66	0.4	2	21.97	25.07	2.7	1.6

2.2.2. sample preparation

To ascertain the proper stabilizing solution concentration, transparent plaxy glass frames sized 6 × 6 × 2 cm were created. Soil was added to each frame, and compacted manually, so that the sample corresponds to the real density (γ d) of the soil in the region. Then the solution was sprayed on the soil samples with 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5, and 3 weight percentages to the soil. Different weight percentage solutions had various depths of penetration. Regarding the prevention of damage to the plants in the ground, the solution with 2 weight percentage to the soil, with an average penetration depth of 1 cm, was chosen. To prepare samples for the wind tunnel and vane shear tests, 12 kilograms of the collected soil was divided up into trays with the dimension of 50 × 30 × 5 centimeters in 5 steps. Each tray was prepared with the actual density (γ d) of the study area soil, and the prepared solutions were sprayed on the surface of the trays. The components of each solution are described in follow, and summarized in Table 2. For soil stabilization, Zeolite, Bentonite, Polyvinyl acetate, Silica sol, Zeolite + Silica sol, Zeolite + Polyvinyl acetate, and Zeolite + Bentonite were used, and a sample was prepared with water as the control sample.

Polyvinyl acetate

Polyvinyl acetate was discovered in 1912 in Germany by Fritz Klatte. The reaction of ethylene, oxygen, and acetic acid in the presence of a palladium catalyst commonly produces Polyvinyl acetate. Its molar mass is 86.09 g/mol, and it is non-flammable, and non-toxic [20]. Polyvinyl acetate emulsion comes in the form of a solid resin that is soluble in water. This solution can be sprayed easily on the soil, and after some time, it will be degraded entirely via biological processes. From an environmental point of view, it has not been shown to have any adverse impacts on plants, soil bacteria, and fungi, yet [12]. Polyvinyl acetate is a viscous polymer material that has been extensively researched for soil stabilization. This material hardens by losing moisture and binds the soil particles together, and increases the resistance of the soil against erosion and rupture forces. The molecules of this polymer act like a bridge between the soil particles. By forming bonds between particles, they cause changes in the physical and chemical properties of the soil surfaces. This process reduces the repulsive forces between charged soil particles [20].

Silica sol

Silica sol, also called colloidal Nano Silica, is a colloidal solution of Silica in water, which may remain stable for years depending on how it is prepared. Silica sol is a suspension of fine amorphous, nonporous, and typically spherical Silica particles in a liquid phase. Usually, they are suspended in an aqueous phase that is stabilized electrostatically. There are different types of colloidal Silica, but all of them are composed of Silica particles in the size range of 3 to 150 nm. The morphology of these particles is spherical or quasi-spherical, and they can appear as individual particles or, to a limited extent, as clumps. Depending on the production method and conditions, the formed particles have a wide or narrow size distribution. Adding nano-Silica material to the soil increases the soil's liquid and plastic limits, indicating the high stability and strength of the soil stabilized with Silica nanoparticles. By increasing the stability of the soil, the problems caused by erosion of the region will be reduced significantly. Silica is like a glue that keeps soil particles together; even its small amount significantly increases soil strength [21].

Zeolite

In the structure of Zeolites, which are hydrated aluminosilicate minerals, four oxygen atoms surround either a silicon or an aluminum cation in each of the connected tetrahedra that make up the framework. By connecting these tetrahedra, channels and holes are formed, which are suitable places for replacing water, liquids, gases, and molecules [22]. Zeolites have a great capacity for absorbing water, which keeps the soil wet and encourages the subsoil particles to adhere to one another and form coarse soil grains. This decreases dust creation by making the soil resistant to wind erosion. Natural Iranian clinoptilolite Zeolites, are minerals that may be utilized as moisture absorbers in soils that are unable to hold moisture since they can absorb moisture up to 94% of their weight [22].

Bentonite

Bentonites are in the family of sheet Silicates (Phyllosilicates) and smectite group. They have a three-layered structure in which an octahedral aluminum layer is sandwiched between two tetrahedral Silica layers. The main mineral of Bentonite is montmorillonite. The most important part of Bentonite is the smectite group minerals. The important properties of these minerals can be mentioned as ionic substitution (proxy), malleability, expansion, and contraction. The function of Bentonite as a mulch is that it is placed in the form of connecting bridges between soil particles. It causes better compaction and adhesion of particles, which causes better produced larger soil grains, increasing the stability of soil grains and increasing the shear strength of the soil [13]. Adding Bentonite to the soil reduces the permeability, increases the plastic limit, and increases the optimal soil compaction moisture. The increase in the optimal soil moisture content is due to the ability of water retention by Bentonite [23].

Table 2

Composition of selected mulches
Mulch no.	Mulch type	Mulch compounds
1	Silica sol (30%)	67gr Silica sol + 173gr H₂o
2	Polyvinyl acetate (42%)	48gr Polyvinyl acetate + 192gr H₂o
3	Zeolite	20gr Zeolite + 220gr H₂o
4	Bentonite	20gr Bentonite + 220gr H₂o
5	Zeolite + Silica sol (30%)	10gr Zeolite + 34gr Silicasol + 196gr H₂o
6	Zeolite + Polyvinyl acetate (42%)	10gr Zeolite + 24gr Polyvinyl acetate + 206gr H₂o
7	Zeolite + Bentonite	10gr Zeolite + 10gr Bentonite + 220gr H₂o
8	H₂o	240gr H₂o

2.2.3. Wind tunnel test

To simulate different wind speeds, an advanced wind tunnel device from the Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, was applied to investigate the effect of different stabilizers on wind erosion control (Fig. 3). The wind tunnel device has a jet fan engine, air distribution equalizer, and body. The dimensions of the device's body are 900 × 70 × 70 cm. This device can create wind with various speeds ranging from 1.5 to 30 m/s at a height of 10 cm from the soil surface. The wind generated, passes through a straight path, not returning inside the tunnel. The fan sucks the air directly from the surrounding environment, and after passing through the test area, it exits from the end of the tunnel.

The prepared solutions of stabilizers were uniformly sprayed on the soil trays, according to Table 2. All samples were tested in three repetitions. After spraying the solutions, the samples were kept at room temperature for two periods of time (7 and 30 days). Trays were placed in the cross-sectional area of the wind tunnel. According to meteorological data from Khuzestan Meteorological Organization, the average and the maximum wind speed of the study area is 8 m/s and 22 m/s respectively, therefore the speed of 22 m/s was chosen for the wind tunnel test. The samples were exposed to this wind for 5 minutes, and an anemometer was placed at a distance of 15 cm above each sample to measure the exact speed of the applied wind. The weight of the samples was carefully measured and recorded before and after the putting in the wind tunnel. The difference in the weight of the soil samples, before and after the wind blowing, was considered as the amount of eroded soil, and then the percentage of soil erosion of the samples was calculated.

2.2.4. Determining shear strength (Vane shear test)

To measure the shear strength (adhesion) of the surface layer of the soil, a Vane shear was used in dry conditions. This device is capable to measure shear strength in the range of 1 to 411 kPa. After placing the lower part of the shear blade in the sample, the vane was rotated in the clockwise direction and continued until the soil failed, which took about 5 to 41 seconds. The maximum value of the applied shear stress, which was displayed on the scaled plate above the shear blade, was recorded (Fig. 4). Three repetitions were done for each sample, and the average results were calculated.

2.2.5. SEM imagery

To compare the effect of stabilizers on the creation of soil, Electron microscope images were used. In this research, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images were taken using an electron microscope of Aria Rastak's laboratory, the FEI ESEM QUANTA 200 model (Fig. 4). Surface soil samples were placed inside the device for scanning, and images were recorded on the screen.

3.1. Wind tunnel test

As mentioned, the difference in the weight of the samples before and after being placed in the wind tunnel was measured, and the erosion percentage of each sample was calculated. Using SPSS software, the average percentage of erosion in similar samples was calculated. Then, the chart of erosion percentage in 7- and 30-days intervals and the chart of erosion changes of stabilized samples due to the passage of time were recorded (Figs. 6, 7, and 8).

According to Fig. 6 and Fig. 7, the amount of dust produced in samples containing Silica sol and Polyvinyl acetate is reduced significantly, compared to the control sample. Silica sol acts like a glue that keeps soil particles together, and even its small amount has a significant effect on increasing soil strength. As can be seen, the erosion and changes in the percentage of erosion over time in the soil stabilized with Silica sol are insignificant and negligible.

Polyvinyl acetate polymer penetrates the soil and forms wide polymer branches due to exposure to air and water evaporation. In fact, increasing the stability of soil grains in the dry state and connecting the surface particles, increases their size, resulting in soil’s strength against wind erosion.

Zeolites, having high water absorption properties, keep the soil moist, causing small particles to stick together, and create coarse soil particles. This makes the soil resistant to wind erosion and, as a result, reduces the production of dust. Of course, with the passage of time and water leaving the Zeolite cavities, this material loses its adhesive properties, which is evident in Fig. 8.

Bentonite stabilized samples also had less erosion than the control sample. Swellability, absorbency, adhesiveness, and increase in optimal humidity level are important properties of sodium-type Bentonites, making the stabilized soil resistant to wind erosion. Good plasticity and lubrication properties, high shear resistance, and low permeability are factors that improve the performance of soil stabilized with this material against wind erosion. The passage of time reduced the stabilizing effect of Bentonite to a small amount.

The samples made with the composition of stabilizers, had almost the same performance. The stabilization of these solutions is far better than the control sample, and Zeolite sample, but less than Silica sol and Polyvinyl acetate samples.

3.2. Vane shear test

The shear strength of the stabilized samples was measured with a vane after 7 and 30 days, and illustrated in Fig. 9 and Fig. 10, respectively. According to the results, adding stabilizers to the soil surface increased the shear strength of all samples compared to the control sample. These results indicate that the formation of a surface-resistant layer on the samples increases the resistance of the soil surface layer against the wind force. The effect of Silica sol and Polyvinyl acetate on shear strength is greater than the other stabilizers. Silica sol acts on soil particles as glue and keeps them together, resulting in an increase in the shear strength of the soil.

Polyvinyl acetate polymer penetrates soil pores and forms wide polymer branches inside it. In fact, by increasing the stability of coarse soil particles in a dry condition and connecting surface soil particles, the polymeric material increases the stability of particles and shear resistance of the soil.

Figure 11 shows the effect of time on the shear strength of stabilized soil samples. According to the results, the shear strength of the soil surface layer decreased with time for all of the samples, but it was very small and negligible for Silica sol samples. By passing time, the effective bonds created between particles decrease, resulting in a decrease in adhesion between soil particles, but for the Silica sol, due to the nature of strong bonds, there is a little change in shear strength.

It should be noted that Silica sol consists of Silica nanoparticles, which have high stability due to the surface charge of nanoparticles. As soon as the moisture between the particles is lost, the Silica nanoparticles are connected by chemical bonds. A Significant change in the shear strength of Polyvinyl acetate samples, indicates that although Polyvinyl acetate works successfully in the early stages, its effects decrease with time passing and loosening its bonds with soil particles. The decrease in shear strength of Bentonite samples with time was negligible. It could be related to the compatibility of its chemical composition with the soil. Bentonite consists of very small clay sheets that have good strength and adhesion in the absence of water, maintaining its strength. The shear strength of the samples stabilized with Zeolite (either alone or in combination with other materials), has decreased over time. It seems to be related to the drying of the soil due to the passage of time and the release of absorbed water. This issue hurts the performance of Zeolite in soil stabilization.

3.3. Scanning Electron Microscopy(SEM Analysis)

Electron Microscope images from the stabilized samples were prepared to investigate and compare the effect of stabilizers on the creation of larger soil particles in 7 and 30 days.

As can be seen in the images obtained from the SEM device, due to the addition of Silica sol in the 7-day sample, fine soil particles in the range of less than 1 micron have stuck together and created larger particles. In the 30-day image, these particles have been separated over time, but they are still larger than 10 microns, which makes them less likely to be suspended compared to smaller samples.

In the 7-day image of the sample stabilized with Polyvinyl acetate, small particles are stuck together next to larger particles. It seems that Polyvinyl acetate has caused small particles to stick to larger particles, and in the 30-day sample, the attachment of these particles has slightly decreased.

Bentonites are mineral materials with very fine grains that have sheet structures, which lead to water absorption, depending on the ions located at the edges of the sheets. Bentonites show a very high swelling capacity, and when water is added to them, they form gel-like masses. The formed gel can connect particles, and facilitates agglomerate or clump formation in particles. In the 7-day image, Bentonite sheet-shaped particles are visible. By the passage of time, the clay layers are separated, and the Bentonite particles are separated from each other.

In Fig. 12.E, it can be seen that the fine soil particles did not accumulate in the presence of Zeolite, and the overall structure of the soil did not change much. It is obvious that Zeolite does not have adhesive properties, and soil particles in this sample are far apart. The 30-day sample also indicates that the Zeolite particles are placed next to the soil particles, and there is no clear connection between the particles. In fact, by adding Zeolite, the initial water absorption of the soil increases, but after drying the soil, the water trapped in the Zeolite pores is removed and does not affect its performance. This additive can be effective along with other stabilizers, absorbing more water during the application.

As is evident in Fig. 12.F, smaller particles are attached next to larger particles. It seems that Polyvinyl acetate has caused small particles to stick to larger particles, and Zeolite does not play a significant role in sticking soil particles. It has just kept the moisture to stick small particles together. In the 30-day sample (Fig. 13.F), the adhesion of these particles to larger particles decreased slightly. In Fig. 12.G, in the sample stabilized with Zeolite and Silica sol, the presence of Silica sol in the 7-day sample has caused fine soil particles to stick together and create larger particles. In this sample, the Zeolite, with the gradual removal of water, has led to the adhesion of smaller particles by the Silica sol. Aggregation of particles next to larger particles is evident in this sample compared to the sample in which Silica sol is used alone. In the 30-day picture (Fig. 13.G), adhesion and connection have decreased over time.

In Fig. 12.H, it is clear that the structure of Bentonite intertwining layers has caused fine soil particles to be trapped. After 30 days, as shown in Fig. 13.H, the clay layers have separated, and the Bentonite particles have moved away from each other. Similar to the previous sample, Bentonite particles have accumulated next to Zeolite particles, but over time, the connection of these particles has weakened. In a 30-day sample, small particles have been separated from larger soil particles.

The 7-day image of a sample stabilized with distilled water shows the very low surface adhesion of soil particles, which is due to the combination of water with clay in the soil sample and its plasticity properties. With the passage of time and the evaporation of the water added to the sample, as shown in Fig. 13.A the adhesion properties of the particles have been decreased.

Regarding the SEM analysis, Silica sol, Polyvinyl acetate, Bentonite, Zeolite + Silica sol, Zeolite + Polyvinyl acetate, Zeolite + Bentonite, and Zeolite were more effective in creating larger soil grains respectively to reduce soil wind erosion

In this paper to examine the effect of natural and chemical stabilizers on soil wind erosion control in southeast Ahvaz, Silica sol, Polyvinyl acetate polymer, Zeolite, Bentonite, and a mixture of Zeolite and three other substances were utilized as stabilizers to prepare a solution for spraying on the soil surface. After 7 and 30 days from solution spraying on soil samples, to assess the impact of stabilizers on the soil, wind tunnel test, surface shear strength test, and SEM images were applied on the soil samples. According to the results obtained from the wind tunnel test, the best performance in terms of soil erosion control, was observed with Silica sol and Polyvinyl acetate which in both samples, erosion was reduced by about 94% compared to the control sample. To investigate the effect of time on sample stabilizing properties, the result of 7-day samples was compared with 30-day samples. The best performance was related to Silica sol samples which had a negligible raise in erosion.

Analyzing the images of the SEM test, determined that the usage of Silica sol and Polyvinyl acetate solution caused the formation of bigger soil particles in comparison to other samples. The weakest performance in terms of binding soil particles and creating larger particles, was related to Zeolite samples. Considering the surface shear strength, Silica sol and Polyvinyl acetate enhanced this property in comparison to other stabilizers. The sample stabilized with Silica sol and Polyvinyl acetate, had a 7-day shear strength of 48 and 50 kPa, respectively, which exceeds the shear strength of the control sample by 38.6 and 40.6 kPa. However, compared to the 7-day sample, the Polyvinyl acetate-stabilized sample's 30-day shear strength has decreased by 2 kPa. Additionally, the use of Zeolite resulted in the lowest shear strength value, which was 24 and 21.4 kPa during periods of 7 and 30 days, respectively.

In conclusion, according to the findings of the wind tunnel test, shear vane test, SEM images, and the effect of time passing, Silica sol and then Polyvinyl acetate had the best performance in stabilizing soil samples of the study area in a laboratory condition. Therefore, these materials could be utilized in a finite area of Ahvaz to control wind erosion in the field.

Conflict of interests

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest in this paper.

Acknowledgments

This research was supported by Arak University. The authors thank Arak University for its support.

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The effect of natural and chemical stabilizers on soil wind erosion control in the southeast of Ahvaz, Iran

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Abstract

Figures

1. Introduction

2. Materials and Methods

2.1. Study area

2.2. Experiments

2.2.1. Determining the physical characteristics of the soil

2.2.2. sample preparation

2.2.3. Wind tunnel test

2.2.4. Determining shear strength (Vane shear test)

2.2.5. SEM imagery

3. Results and Discussion

3.1. Wind tunnel test

3.2. Vane shear test

3.3. Scanning Electron Microscopy(SEM Analysis)

4. Conclusion

Declarations

Conflict of interests

Acknowledgments

References

Supplementary Files

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