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Tilling the soil results in dislodging the cohesiveness of the soil particles, thereby inducing erosion. Chemical runoff. [17] [note 3] Reduces organic matter in the soil. [17] [note 4] Reduces microbes, earthworms, ants, etc. [20] Destroys soil aggregates. [17] [20] Compaction of the soil, also known as a tillage pan. [17] [20] [note 2] [note 3]
Soil compaction is a vital part of the construction process. It is used for support of structural entities such as building foundations, roadways, walkways, and earth retaining structures to name a few. For a given soil type certain properties may deem it more or less desirable to perform adequately for a particular circumstance.
Tilling the soil, or tillage, is the breaking of soil, such as with a plough or harrow, to prepare the soil for new seeds. Tillage systems vary in intensity and disturbance. Conventional tillage is the most intense tillage system and disturbs the deepest level of soils. At least 30% of plant residue remains on the soil surface in conservation ...
Soil compaction, also known as soil structure degradation, is the increase of bulk density or decrease in porosity of soil due to externally or internally applied loads. [1] Compaction can adversely affect nearly all physical, chemical and biological properties and functions of soil . [ 2 ]
Soil aeration is the mechanism of improving the exchange of gases between the atmosphere and soil. Through soil microbial activity and plant root respiration, certain gases such as oxygen will be depleted in the soil, while others, such as carbon dioxide, will build up in the soil. [1] Lack of oxygen in the soil can impact plant growth.
As far as plants and vegetation are concerned, the accumulation of salts in the soil adversely affects their physiology and morphology by increasing the osmotic pressure of the soil solution, altering the plant’s mineral nutrition, and accumulating specific ions to toxic concentrations in the plants.
The energy exerted by compaction forces the soil to fill available voids, and the additional frictional forces between the soil particles improves the mechanical properties of the soil. Because a wide range of particles are needed in order to fill all available voids, well-graded soils tend to compact better than poorly graded soils.
Dynamic compaction is a method that is used to increase the density of soils when certain subsurface constraints make other methods of soil compaction inappropriate. The process involves dropping a heavy weight repeatedly on the ground at regularly spaced points, usually laid out in a systematic fashion such as a grid.