Transformative Effects of Salinity on Sebkha Soil Properties: Unveiling Strength, Structure, and Stability through Advanced Remediation Strategies

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.54338/27382656-2024.7-06

Keywords:

Salinity, Sebkha Soil, Grain Size Distribution, Unconfined Compressive Strength, Soil pH, SEM Analysis, Soil Remediation

Abstract

This study investigates the effects of varying salinity levels on sebkha soils, focusing on their physical, mechanical, and chemical properties. Soil samples were collected from Tin silt sebkha in Ain M'lila across three different seasons, resulting in high salinity soil (HSS), medium salinity soil (MSS), and low salinity soil (LSS). The grain size distribution curves reveal that 70% of grains in both HSS and LSS have diameters less than 60 µm, with LSS containing 19% more particles smaller than 20 µm compared to HSS. Unconfined compressive strength (UCS) measurements show a significant decrease from 1100 kPa in LSS to 200 kPa in HSS, with corresponding peak strains increasing from 2.3% to 4.7%. Chemical analysis indicates that pH decreases from 8.17 in LSS to 6.79 in HSS, reflecting increased soil acidity with higher salinity. SEM images demonstrate that higher salinity results in a denser soil structure due to salt cementation, whereas lower salinity soils exhibit more micropores. The study highlights the need for comprehensive models integrating these properties to enhance predictive capabilities and inform effective soil management. Future research should explore remediation strategies using additives to improve soil strength and stability, addressing the challenges posed by salt dissolution and soil degradation.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Author Biographies

Imed Benrebouh, University of Ferhat Abbas Setif 1

Postgraduate student (Geotechnical Engineering) (Algeria, Setif) - Research Unit on Emerging Materials (RUEM), University Ferhat Abbas Setif 1

Abdellah Douadi, University Ferhat Abbas Setif 1

Doctor of Science (Engineering) (Algeria, Setif) - University Ferhat Abbas Setif 1, Lecturer at the Department of Civil Engineering

Ilyas Hafhouf, University of Ferhat Abbas Setif 1

Doctor of Science (Engineering) (Algeria, Setif) - University Ferhat Abbas Setif 1, Lecturer at the Department of Civil Engineering

Abdelghani Merdas, University of Ferhat Abbas Setif 1

Doctor of Science (Engineering) (Algeria, Setif) - University Ferhat Abbas Setif 1, Professor at the Department of Civil Engineering

Abderrahim Meguellati, University of Ferhat Abbas Setif 1

Postgraduate student (Geotechnical Engineering) (Algeria, Setif) - University Ferhat Abbas Setif 1

References

R. Olsen, B.M. Ayyub, D. Walker, A. Barros, Adapting Infrastructure and Civil Engineering Practice to a Changing Climate, American Society of Civil Engineers, 2015. Doi: https://doi.org/10.1061/9780784479193

J. Hjort, D. Streletskiy, G. Doré, Q. Wu, K. Bjella, M. Luoto, Impacts of Permafrost Degradation on Infrastructure. Nature Reviews Earth & Environment, 3 (1), 2022, 24-38. Doi: https://doi.org/10.1038/s43017-021-00247-8

S.L. Houston, W.N. Houston, C.E. Zapata, C. Lawrence, Geotechnical Engineering Practice for Collapsible Soils. Geotechnical and Geological Engineering, 19, 333-355, 2001. Doi: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1013178226615

I. Hafhouf, K. Abbeche, Impact of Drying-Wetting Cycles on Shear Properties, Suction, and Collapse of Sebkha Soils. Heliyon, 9 (2), 2023, e13594. Doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e13594

B.A. Hakami, ES. S.A. Seif, Expansive Potentiality of Sabkha Soils of Rabigh Lagoon, Saudi Arabia: A Case Study. Arabian Journal of Geosciences, 12 (107), 2019, 1-14. Doi: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-019-4271-x

M.B. Elsawy, A. Lakhouit, Enhancing Mechanical Characteristics of a Collapsible Sandy Sabkha Soil using an Eco-Friendly Admixture: An Experimental And Numerical Study. International Journal of Geotechnical Engineering, 17 (2), 2023, 124-139. Doi: https://doi.org/10.1080/19386362.2023.2182967

A.H. Mohsen, B.S. Albusoda, The Collapsible Soil, Types, Mechanism, and Identification: A Review Study. Journal of Engineering journal, 28 (5) (2022), 41-60. Doi: https://doi.org/10.31026/j.eng.2022.05.04

I.C. Regelink, C.R. Stoof, S. Rousseva, L. Weng, G.J. Lair, P. Kram, N.P. Nikolaidis, M. Kercheva, S. Banwart, R.N.J. Comans, Linkages between Aggregate Formation, Porosity and Soil Chemical Properties. Geoderma, 247-248, 2015, 24-37. Doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geoderma.2015.01.022

Z. Ying, Y-J. Cui, N. Benahmed, M. Duc, Salinity Effect on the Compaction Behaviour, Matric Suction, Stiffness and Microstructure of a Silty Soil. Journal of Rock Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering, 13 (4), 2021, 855-863. Doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jrmge.2021.01.002

H. Li, M. Yang, Study on Unconfined Compressive Strength and Deformation Characteristics of Chlorine Saline Soil. Scientific Reports, 14 (1), 2024. Doi: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-50441-5

I. Hafhouf, O. Bahloul, K. Abbeche, Effects of Drying-Wetting Cycles on the Salinity and the Mechanical Behavior of Sebkha Soils. A Case Study from Ain M'Lila, Algeria. CATENA, 212, 2022, 106099. Doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.catena.2022.106099

C. Modmoltin, U. Jiang, K. Onitsuka. Influence of Humic Acid and Salt Concentration on Lime-Stabilized Ariake Clays and Microstructure Research. Chinese Journal of Geotechnical Engineering, 26 (2), 2004, 281-286.

M. Li, S. Chai, H. Du, C. Wang, Effect of Chlorine Salt on the Physical and Mechanical Properties of Inshore Saline Soil Treated with Lime. Soils and Foundations, 56 (3), 2016, 327-335.Doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sandf.2016.04.001

H. Xing, X. Yang, C. Xu, G. Ye, Strength Characteristics and Mechanisms of Salt-Rich Soil – Cement. Engineering Geology, 103 (1-2), 2009, 33-38. Doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enggeo.2008.07.011

M.N. Wuddivira, G. Camps‐Roach, Effects of Organic Matter and Calcium on Soil Structural Stability, 58 (3), 2007, 722-727. Doi: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2389.2006.00861.x

M.A. Khodabandeh, G. Nagy, Á․ Török, Stabilization of Collapsible Soils with Nanomaterials, Fibers, Polymers, Industrial Waste, and Microbes: Current Trends․ Construction and Building Materials 368, 2023, 130463. Doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2023.130463

H. Haghsheno, M. Arabani, The Effect of Primary Stabilizers for Stabilization/Solidification of Oil-Polluted Soils – A Review. Environmental Technology Reviews, 12 (1), 2023, 337-358.Doi: https://doi.org/10.1080/21622515.2023.2215460

D. Gallipoli, A.W. Bruno, Q-B. Bui, A. Fabbri, P. Faria, D.V. Oliveira, C. Ouellet-Plamondon, R.A. Silva, Durability of Earth Materials: Weathering Agents, Testing Procedures and Stabilisation Methods, in: A. Fabbri, JC. Morel, JE. Aubert, QB. Bui, D. Gallipoli, B.V. Reddy (eds), Testing and Characterisation of Earth-based Building Materials and Elements. RILEM State-of-the-Art Reports. Springer, Cham, 35, 2021, 211-241. Doi: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-83297-1_6

C. Foncea, P. Acevedo, R. Olguin, Geotechnical Characterization of Saline Soils. Proceedings of the 16th International Conference on Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering. IOS Press, 2005, 503-506.

S. Yan, T. Zhang, B. Zhang, H. Feng, K.H. Siddique, Adverse Effects of Ca2+ on Soil Structure in Specific Cation Environments Impacting Macropore-Crack Transformation. Agricultural Water Management, 302, 2024, 108987. Doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agwat.2024.108987

L.A. Richards, Diagnosis and Improvement of Saline and Alkali Soils, US Government Printing Office, 1954.

R.A. Hakami, R.S. Naser, M. El-Bakkali, M.D. Othman, M.S. Yahya, S. Raweh, A. Mohammed, D. Belghyti, Groundwater Quality Deterioration Evaluation for Irrigation Using Several Indices and Geographic Information Systems: A Case Study. Desalination and Water Treatment, 320, 2024, 100645. Doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dwt.2024.100645

W.A. Ogila, Effectiveness of Fresh Cement Kiln Dust as a Soil Stabilizer and Stabilization Mechanism of High Swelling Clays. Environmental Earth Sciences, 80, 2021, 283. Doi: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-021-09589-4

Z. Duan, K. Song, N. Zhang, L-C. Zheng, X-S. Yan, M-M. Zhang, Characteristics and Mechanisms of Soil Structure Damage under Salt Weathering. Soil and Tillage Research, 238, 2024, 106030. Doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.still.2024.106030

A.O. Alshenawy, W.M. Hamid, A.M. Alnuaim, A Review on the Characteristics of Sabkha Soils in the Arabian Gulf Region. Arabian Journal of Geosciences, 14, 2021, 2018. Doi: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-021-08275-w

S. Pu, Z. Zhu, W. Huo, Evaluation of Engineering Properties and Environmental Effect of Recycled Gypsum Stabilized Soil in Geotechnical Engineering: A Comprehensive Review. Resources, Conservation and Recycling, 174, 2021, 105780. Doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resconrec.2021.105780

L. Zhang, G. Ren, Y. Ge, C. Zhang, F. Chu, Damage Self-Healing Property of Dissolved Salt Columns in Solid Potash Mine. ACS Omega, 9 (28), 2024, 31136-31147.Doi: https://doi.org/10.1021/acsomega.4c04561

G.C. Anderson, S. Pathan, J. Easton, D.J. Hall, R. Sharma, Short-and Long-Term Effects of Lime and Gypsum Applications on Acid Soils in a Water-Limited Environment: 2. Soil Chemical Properties. Agronomy, 10 (12), 2020, 1987. Doi: https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy10121987

M. du Plessis, The Effect of Gypsum Form and Source on Soil Amelioration, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, 2024.

R. Hudaykulov, D. Makhmudova, D. Kayumov, O. Zafarov, Filter Leaching of Salt Soils of Automobile Roads. E3S Web of Conferences, EDP Sciences, 264, 2021, 02032.

Downloads

Published

10/18/2024

How to Cite

Benrebouh, I., Douadi, A., Hafhouf, I., Merdas, A., & Meguellati, A. (2024). Transformative Effects of Salinity on Sebkha Soil Properties: Unveiling Strength, Structure, and Stability through Advanced Remediation Strategies. Journal of Architectural and Engineering Research, 7, 60–70. https://doi.org/10.54338/27382656-2024.7-06

Issue

Section

Articles