Geoscience Reference
In-Depth Information
Fig. 18.10 Effect of rainfall,
phosphogypsum treatment,
and slope (5 and 25 %) on
a infiltration rate, and b soil
loss from a sandy loam
(Typic Rhodoxeralf)
(Warrington et al.
1989
).
Copyright 1989 Soil Science
Society of America.
Reprinted with permission
in soil erosion and runoff intensity following phosphogypsum application is
explained by the increase of electrolyte concentration in both runoff and percolating
water, preventing aggregate dispersion, increasing infiltration rate, maintaining or
even improving the roughness of the surface, and avoiding sediment deposit.
Organic polymers In general, organic polymers are applied to the soil surface to
prevent soil sealing and clay particle dispersion and runoff, caused mechanically
by rain or irrigation water. Addition of organic polymers increases aggregate
stability and improves water infiltration. The effects of organic polymers are,
however, temporary, and beneficial changes in soil physical properties become
irreversible only with continued application of such compounds.
Nonionic polyacrylamides (PAMs) are used as a soil conditioner to stabilize soil
aggregates and to flocculate suspended particles. Flanagan et al. (
2002
) present an
example of a polymer-induced effect on soil morphology, showing that PAM
