A Cross-Linked Polymer Soil Stabilizer for Hillslope Conservation on the Loess Plateau
The soil of the Loess Plateau is highly susceptible to erosion due to its distinct loess structure with poor water stability and disintegrates easily. Previous research has focused on improving soil strength without considering stability and ecological performance. Comprehensive improvements may be...
| Main Authors: | , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Frontiers Media S.A.
2021-10-01
|
| Series: | Frontiers in Earth Science |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/feart.2021.771316/full |
| _version_ | 1819130950226804736 |
|---|---|
| author | Xiaochao Zhang Xiaochao Zhang Yujian Zhong Yujian Zhong Xiangjun Pei Xiangjun Pei Yuying Duan |
| author_facet | Xiaochao Zhang Xiaochao Zhang Yujian Zhong Yujian Zhong Xiangjun Pei Xiangjun Pei Yuying Duan |
| author_sort | Xiaochao Zhang |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The soil of the Loess Plateau is highly susceptible to erosion due to its distinct loess structure with poor water stability and disintegrates easily. Previous research has focused on improving soil strength without considering stability and ecological performance. Comprehensive improvements may be achieved by cross-linked polymers (CLPs), but their effect on loess structure remains unclear. In the present study, we investigate CLPs as a new organic soil stabilizer to improve soil aggregate stability. To determine the effect of CLPs on the stabilization of loess, a series of indoor tests was conducted to assess unconfined compressive strength, water stability, soil-water characteristics, and plant height. The stabilization mechanism was analyzed by comparing the microstructure, mineral composition, and features of functional groups of loess before and after treatment. The results showed that, compared with untreated loess, the unconfined compressive strength and anti-disintegration property of treated loess were significantly increased. The water retention capacity was improved, and the germination rate and growth of plants were promoted. Microscopic analysis showed that the use of CLPs did form new minerals in the loess or change the functional groups, rather, CLPs improved the microstructure, reduced the total volume of pores, and increased the degree of soil compaction. Field tests showed that the erosion of loess hillsides was effectively controlled by CLPs. Under the same erosive conditions, the slope surface treated with CLPs was more intact than the untreated slope surface. Our findings provide new strategies regarding the application of CLPs as soil stabilizers to control loess erosion and promote vegetation restoration. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-22T09:07:45Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-aea2336aae1f497586540c932ff855af |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2296-6463 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-22T09:07:45Z |
| publishDate | 2021-10-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Earth Science |
| spelling | doaj.art-aea2336aae1f497586540c932ff855af2022-12-21T18:31:32ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Earth Science2296-64632021-10-01910.3389/feart.2021.771316771316A Cross-Linked Polymer Soil Stabilizer for Hillslope Conservation on the Loess PlateauXiaochao Zhang0Xiaochao Zhang1Yujian Zhong2Yujian Zhong3Xiangjun Pei4Xiangjun Pei5Yuying Duan6State Key Laboratory of Geological Disaster Prevention and Environmental Protection, Chengdu University of Technology, Chengdu, ChinaState Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Synergetic Control and Joint Remediation for Soil and Water Pollution, School of Ecological and Environmental Sciences, Chengdu University of Technology, Chengdu, ChinaState Key Laboratory of Geological Disaster Prevention and Environmental Protection, Chengdu University of Technology, Chengdu, ChinaState Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Synergetic Control and Joint Remediation for Soil and Water Pollution, School of Ecological and Environmental Sciences, Chengdu University of Technology, Chengdu, ChinaState Key Laboratory of Geological Disaster Prevention and Environmental Protection, Chengdu University of Technology, Chengdu, ChinaState Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Synergetic Control and Joint Remediation for Soil and Water Pollution, School of Ecological and Environmental Sciences, Chengdu University of Technology, Chengdu, ChinaState Key Laboratory of Geological Disaster Prevention and Environmental Protection, Chengdu University of Technology, Chengdu, ChinaThe soil of the Loess Plateau is highly susceptible to erosion due to its distinct loess structure with poor water stability and disintegrates easily. Previous research has focused on improving soil strength without considering stability and ecological performance. Comprehensive improvements may be achieved by cross-linked polymers (CLPs), but their effect on loess structure remains unclear. In the present study, we investigate CLPs as a new organic soil stabilizer to improve soil aggregate stability. To determine the effect of CLPs on the stabilization of loess, a series of indoor tests was conducted to assess unconfined compressive strength, water stability, soil-water characteristics, and plant height. The stabilization mechanism was analyzed by comparing the microstructure, mineral composition, and features of functional groups of loess before and after treatment. The results showed that, compared with untreated loess, the unconfined compressive strength and anti-disintegration property of treated loess were significantly increased. The water retention capacity was improved, and the germination rate and growth of plants were promoted. Microscopic analysis showed that the use of CLPs did form new minerals in the loess or change the functional groups, rather, CLPs improved the microstructure, reduced the total volume of pores, and increased the degree of soil compaction. Field tests showed that the erosion of loess hillsides was effectively controlled by CLPs. Under the same erosive conditions, the slope surface treated with CLPs was more intact than the untreated slope surface. Our findings provide new strategies regarding the application of CLPs as soil stabilizers to control loess erosion and promote vegetation restoration.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/feart.2021.771316/fullcross-linked polymersoil stabilizerloesserosion controlcuring mechanismmechanical property |
| spellingShingle | Xiaochao Zhang Xiaochao Zhang Yujian Zhong Yujian Zhong Xiangjun Pei Xiangjun Pei Yuying Duan A Cross-Linked Polymer Soil Stabilizer for Hillslope Conservation on the Loess Plateau Frontiers in Earth Science cross-linked polymer soil stabilizer loess erosion control curing mechanism mechanical property |
| title | A Cross-Linked Polymer Soil Stabilizer for Hillslope Conservation on the Loess Plateau |
| title_full | A Cross-Linked Polymer Soil Stabilizer for Hillslope Conservation on the Loess Plateau |
| title_fullStr | A Cross-Linked Polymer Soil Stabilizer for Hillslope Conservation on the Loess Plateau |
| title_full_unstemmed | A Cross-Linked Polymer Soil Stabilizer for Hillslope Conservation on the Loess Plateau |
| title_short | A Cross-Linked Polymer Soil Stabilizer for Hillslope Conservation on the Loess Plateau |
| title_sort | cross linked polymer soil stabilizer for hillslope conservation on the loess plateau |
| topic | cross-linked polymer soil stabilizer loess erosion control curing mechanism mechanical property |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/feart.2021.771316/full |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT xiaochaozhang acrosslinkedpolymersoilstabilizerforhillslopeconservationontheloessplateau AT xiaochaozhang acrosslinkedpolymersoilstabilizerforhillslopeconservationontheloessplateau AT yujianzhong acrosslinkedpolymersoilstabilizerforhillslopeconservationontheloessplateau AT yujianzhong acrosslinkedpolymersoilstabilizerforhillslopeconservationontheloessplateau AT xiangjunpei acrosslinkedpolymersoilstabilizerforhillslopeconservationontheloessplateau AT xiangjunpei acrosslinkedpolymersoilstabilizerforhillslopeconservationontheloessplateau AT yuyingduan acrosslinkedpolymersoilstabilizerforhillslopeconservationontheloessplateau AT xiaochaozhang crosslinkedpolymersoilstabilizerforhillslopeconservationontheloessplateau AT xiaochaozhang crosslinkedpolymersoilstabilizerforhillslopeconservationontheloessplateau AT yujianzhong crosslinkedpolymersoilstabilizerforhillslopeconservationontheloessplateau AT yujianzhong crosslinkedpolymersoilstabilizerforhillslopeconservationontheloessplateau AT xiangjunpei crosslinkedpolymersoilstabilizerforhillslopeconservationontheloessplateau AT xiangjunpei crosslinkedpolymersoilstabilizerforhillslopeconservationontheloessplateau AT yuyingduan crosslinkedpolymersoilstabilizerforhillslopeconservationontheloessplateau |