Project Number: 6657-12000-004-01
Project Type: Reimbursable

Start Date: Oct 01, 2003
End Date: Sep 30, 2005

Objective:
The objective of this proposal is to add organic matter (OM) with various lingo-cellulose levels and polyacrylamide (PAM) to SE Coastal Plain unstructured subsoil hardpan material in the lab for the purpose of forming and stabilizing soil aggregates. Levels and effectiveness of PAM and OM will be determined for later field trials. The PAM used is an environmentally safe water soluble (linear, not gel-forming, not cross-linked super water absorbent), anionic polymer with molecular weights of 12 to 15 Mg/mole (over 150,000 monomer units per molecule), and 18% charge density.

Approach:
The study will be conducted in laboratory containers where unstructured E horizon soil will be treated with various levels of OM and anionic PAM to induce aggregation. Organic matter will be assayed to determine amounts at the beginning and end of a 9- to 12-month incubation period. During the incubation period, treatments will be leached and inorganic components in the leachate will be analyzed for soluble Al, Ca, Fe, and Si to determine if these ions have been displaced from soil surfaces by bound OM as a preliminary indicator of aggregate formation. At the end of the experiment, thin sections will be used to determine locations of bound OM. Samples will also be tested for soil strength, water content, and aggregate stability.

Project Team

Busscher, Warren Novak, Jeffrey - Jeff

Related National Programs

Soil Resource Management (202)