Geochemical study of the redistribution of elements in soil—I. Evaluation of degree of weathering of transported soil materials by distribution of major elements among the particle size fractions and soil extract

Sixteen alluvial and terrace soils from Japan and Thailand were separated into six fractions ; an amorphous sesquioxide and combined organic matter fraction, crystalline sesquioxides, clay, silt, fine sand and coarse sand. Content of ten major and minor elements in these six fractions was analyzed; SiO₂, A1₂O₃, Fe₂O₃, MgO, CaO, K₂O, TiO₂, Rb₂O and SrO were determined by X-ray fluorescence spectrometry, and Na₂O was determined by neutron activation analysis. The clay, silt, fine sand and coarse sand mineralogy were estimated semi-quantitatively by X-ray diffraction methods.We propose three indices of geochemical maturity for the soils and test their usefulness as measures of the degree of weathering. Three concomitant factors are proposed to measure the relative resistate, hydrolyzate and oxidate nature of the major elements in the soils.     

Prediction of the unconfined compressive strength of compacted granular soils by using inference systems

Adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system (ANFIS) and artificial neural network (ANN) models have been extensively used to predict different soil properties in geotechnical applications. In this study, it was aimed to develop ANFIS and ANN models to predict the unconfined compressive strength (UCS) of compacted soils. For this purpose, 84 soil samples with different grain-size distribution compacted at optimum water content were subjected to the unconfined compressive tests to determine their UCS values. Many of the test results (for 64 samples) were used to train the ANFIS and the ANN models, and the rest of the experimental results (for 20 samples) were used to predict the UCS of compacted samples. To train these models, the clay content, fine silt content, coarse silt content, fine sand content, middle sand content, coarse sand content, and gravel content of the total soil mass were used as input data for these models. The UCS values of compacted soils were output data in these models. The ANFIS model results were compared with those of the ANN model and it was seen that the ANFIS model results were very encouraging. Consequently, the results of this study have important findings indicating reliable and simple prediction tools for the UCS of compacted soils.     

Geotechnical Characteristics and Geological History of Sands in Senegal

In order to manage local rock aggregates efficiently, an inventory has been made of superficial sand materials in the Senegalese basin. A detailed geological study of sandy formations has been undertaken, and geotechnical tests were also performed in order to characterize the sands according to their mechanical properties. The geotechnical characteristics of the sands can be related to their geological histories thus allowing the geotechnical parameters to be estimated by field mapping.     

雷州半岛红树林湿地表层沉积物粒度分布特征

对采自雷州半岛8个红树林湿地典型分布区的37个表层沉积物样品进行粒度分析,结果显示:(1)研究区表层沉积物粒度组成粉砂含量最高,占52. 9%;其次为砂,占27. 8%;黏土含量最低,占19. 3%。(2)研究区表层沉积物有砂质粉砂、黏土质粉砂、砂和粉砂质砂4种类型,其中砂质粉砂和黏土质粉砂主要分布在南山、高桥和观海长廊等地,砂和粉砂质砂主要分布在特呈岛、企水等地。(3)研究区沉积物平均粒径为5. 7,沉积物颗粒整体偏细;分选系数平均值为1. 90,分选较差;偏态平均值为-0. 14,为负偏;峰态平均为1. 07,峰态等级为中等。(4)通过系统聚类分析方法将研究区沉积环境分为三种类型,不同沉积环境水动力条件和环境特征差异明显。(5)沉积物砂粒含量与有机质含量、盐度呈极显著的负相关关系,与p H值呈正相关;粉砂含量与有机质含量、盐度呈极显著正相关,与p H值呈负相关;黏土含量与有机质含量、盐度正呈相关,与p H值则呈负相关。     

淮北平原浅表层沉积土承载力特征及其螺旋板检测评定方法研究

针对淮北平原地区浅表层沉积土典型地质单元,选取代表性试验区域,开展了螺旋板载荷、平板载荷和静力触探等原位测试,分析了含钙质结核黏土、新近沉积粉土、粉砂3种地基的承载力特性,重点探讨了不同类型土体的螺旋板载荷试验p-s曲线特征、承载力特征值确定方法和值域范围,并与静探和平板载荷试验数据进行对比,分析其相关关系和变化规律。研究结果表明:一般性黏土、粉质黏土和粉土的承载力较低,钙质结核黏性土和粉砂的承载力相对较高,值域范围较宽,密实程度是决定粉土、粉砂承载力大小的主要因素。螺旋板载荷试验能较好的反映多元互层地基土体力学性质的变化特征,采用等应变控制法可达到快速、分层检测的目的,并通过等应力控制法对比试验验证了其可靠性。最后通过与平板载荷试验结果进行线性拟合,给出了螺旋板载荷试验确定淮北平原浅表层地基承载力的经验公式。     

Environmental geological and geotechnical investigations related to the potential use of Ankara clay as a compacted landfill liner material, Turkey

Clay-bearing Upper Pliocene red clastics and Quaternary alluvial deposits occupy the Ankara basin. The clayey levels of the Upper Pliocene deposits, referred to as Ankara clay, is considered as a source for compacted clay liners due to their low coefficients of permeability and widespread distributions throughout Ankara. This study investigates the geological, geotechnical and mineralogical properties of the founding clayey soils at two sites of the Ankara region. The geotechnical index properties along with the hydraulic conductivities of the clayey soil samples collected from these sites were determined. A mathematical relation between the clay mineralogical content and hydraulic conductivity was established. The results of this investigation show that, from a geotechnical point of view, Ankara clay may be regarded as a highly suitable material for a compacted clay landfill liner given that its mineralogical compatibility with leachate is confirmed.     

Distribution of grain size, clay mineralogy and organic matter of surface sediments from Tirumalairajanar Estuary, Tamilnadu, east coast of India

The aim of this study is to understand the various sources and factors controlling the abundance and distribution of clay minerals, sand, silt, clay and organic matter of the surface sediments of Tirumalairajanar Estuary in two different seasons. The study was undertaken for two seasons, based on ten selected stations all along the estuary, mouth and freshwater zone. Furthermore, along the estuary region, clay and silt were observed and also at few stations in the upstream end. Organic matters in the sediments appeared to be the main mechanisms for the distribution of clay minerals in estuary indicated that the distributions of clay minerals were comparatively higher during postmonsoon than in premonsoon season. The clay mineral assemblage consists mainly of chlorite, kaolinite, montmorillonite, illite and very scarce gibbsite. The clay from the sediments has been separated and studied for mineral identification using X-ray diffraction analysis. The present study also reveals that sediment texture is one of the main controlling factors for the distribution of organic matter.     

Influence of grain size gradation of sand impurities on strength behaviour of cement-treated clay

In nature, soils are often composed of varying amounts of clay, silt and sand. Variation of the percentage of these compositions can affect the final strength of the soils when stabilised with cement. In this study, focus was placed on clayey soils with different gradation of sand impurities up to 40% in mass. An extensive study of such clayey soils treated with cement was investigated. For the results, it is noted that water:cement ratio was a major influence of strength development of cement-treated clayey soils. In contrast, the soil:cement ratio was found to have minor effects on the strength development. The presence of sand impurities has a significant reduction on the strength development of the cement-treated clayey soil mixture due to more free water available for hydration. The use of free-water:cement ratio is adopted which was shown to be capable of adjusting for such change in amount of free water and water holding capacity of the clay which is determined with Atterberg’s liquid limit tests. The effects of gradation (fine, coarse and well-graded) of the sand impurities were found to affect strength development minimally, owing to similarities in their liquid limits when mixed with clay. Ordinary Portland cement (OPC)-treated clayey soils produced a more rapid gain in strength but lower final strength at 28 days of curing as compared with Portland blast furnace cement (PBFC). This is found to be persistent for different gradation of sand impurities. A linear correlation can be established based on the log of the unconfined compressive strengths developed at different curing age, with slopes of these linear trends found to be similar for PBFC and OPC-treated clayey soil specimens. Finally, a strength prediction model comprising of these findings is developed. The parameters adopted in this model coincide with values proposed by past studies, thereby validating the robustness of the model. The practical benefits from this study offer a quality control scheme to forecast long-term performance of cement-treated clayey soils as well as optimise cement dosage in cement stabilisation to produce a more cost-effective and less environmental-invasive usage of the technology in geotechnical applications.

     

不同岩性渗滤液污染场地中污染物衰减的模拟

选用细砂、粉砂、粘土和土壤为材料,通过4个系列的静态实验来研究不同岩性的垃圾渗滤液污染场地中pH、NO₃-N、NH₄-N、有机质及生物活性随时间的变化趋势及其相关性分析。实验结果表明,对于4种介质的pH而言,细砂>粉砂>粘土>土壤;对于NH₄-N、有机质和生物活性而言,均为土壤>粘土>粉砂>细砂;而对于NO₃-N而言,实验初期是土壤>粘土>粉砂>细砂,中期是细砂>粉砂>粘土>土壤,末期是土壤>细砂>粉砂>粘土。同时,综合4种介质中各指标的时间变化趋势利用SPSS进行相关性分析得到,在模拟垃圾渗滤液的污染场地中pH与有机质有很好的负相关性,相关系数为-0.649;有机质与生物活性有很好的正相关性,相关系数为0.640;NH₄-N与生物活性有很好的正相关性,相关系数为0.757。     

Deforestation effects on soil properties,runoff and erosion in northern Iran

Improper cultivation practices are seriously degrading native forest ecosystems in northern Iran. Hence, the objectives of this study are to compare selected soil properties, runoff amount, erosion and also introducing equations to predict the runoff and soil erosion in three types of land use (forest, garden and cultivated). A simple portable rainfall simulator has been set in 90 random points to create experimental rainfall. Result showed that changes in natural forest led to a significant clay, organic carbon of soil, total N and antecedent soil moisture decrease and sand, pH and bulk density increasing. The rainfall runoff experiments indicate that runoff content of the natural forest soils was 35 % and respectively 38.45 % higher than the garden and cultivated land soils .This result could be related to the higher antecedent soil moisture in natural forest compared with the other land uses. According to the obtained results, garden soil erosion and cultivated land was 1.351 and respectively 1.587 times higher than the forest. The correlation matrix revealed that runoff content was positively correlated with antecedent soil moisture, bulk density and silt, and negatively with soil organic carbon, total N and sand. Also, soil organic carbon, total N, clay and sand showed negative correlation with soil erosion, while there is a positive correlation between erosion and silt, bulk density, pH and antecedent soil moisture. The results of multiple linear regression showed that runoff in forest, garden and cultivated land can be predicted with correlation coefficient of 0.637, 0.547 and 0.624, respectively. The correlation coefficients of 0.798, 0.628 and 0.560 in equations indicate their moderate potential in simulating soil erosion.     

Study on the swelling behaviour of blended clay–sand soils

Soils containing expansive clays undergo swelling that can be both detrimental and beneficial in various applications. In the Arabian Gulf coastal region, natural heterogeneous soils containing clay and sand (tills, shales, and clayey sands) support most of the civil infrastructure systems. Likewise, mixes of clay and sand are used for local earthwork construction such as roads and landfills. A clear understanding of the swelling behaviour of such soils is pivotal at the outset of all construction projects. The main objective of this paper was to understand the evolution of swelling with increasing clay content in local soils. A theoretical framework for clay–sand soils was developed using phase relationships. Laboratory investigations comprised of mineralogical composition and geotechnical index properties of the clay and sand and consistency limits, swelling potential, and morphology of clay–sand mixes. Results indicated that soil consistency of mixes of a local expansive clay and an engineered sand depends on the weighted average of the constituents. Mixes with 10% clay through 40% clay capture the transition from a sand-like behaviour to a clay-like behaviour. Influenced by the initial conditions and soil matrix, the swelling potential of the investigated mixes correlated well with soil plasticity (SP(%) = 0.16 (I _p)^1.188). The parameters sand void ratio and clay–water ratio were found to better explain the behaviour of blended clay–sand soils.     

Assessment of slope stability in Ankara clay: a case study along E90 highway

Some slope instability problems exist in Ankara clay along E90 highway. The purpose of this paper is to determine the mineralogical and geotechnical properties of soils, and to investigate the causes and mechanisms of three rotational landslides along a section of the highway. In order to accomplish these tasks, field studies, laboratory testing, back analyses, and limit equilibrium and finite difference analyses were performed. The landslides are formed within a soil consisting of clay and silt with a little sand and gravel. Slope stability analyses indicate that long-term stability of already failed slopes is critical. The failures are progressive, showing strain softening behavior with full saturation. Broken irrigation pipes existing near the landslides are found to be the main cause of sliding. Maintenance of the pipes, surface drainage, removal and replacement of the failed (slided) material are considered to be economical and practical solutions for the remediation of the slides.     

武昌地区含粘性土粉砂承载力探讨

以武昌某高层建筑群岩土工程勘察为例,采用规范查表、理论公式计算、现场载荷试验等方法,并结合物理力学指标特征对含粘性土粉砂的承载力进行分析,结果表明：武昌地区含粘性土粉砂是一种有别于一般粉砂、粉土和粘性土的混合土,在工程性质上,它更接近于粘性土而非粉砂。含粘性土粉砂承载力的确定方法应以现场载荷试验和理论公式计算为主,且计算结果与载荷试验结果应具可比性。     

Investigation of solid waste soil as road construction material

The geotechnical properties of solid waste soils for use as sub-base materials in road construction were investigated. A series of field tests and laboratory tests were performed to assess the physical and mechanical properties of the solid waste soils sampled from a landfill site, near to a riverside, which had been reclaimed over the last two decades. The tests showed that geotechnical properties are clearly affected by the magnitude of organic matter content. As the organic matter content increases, the maximum dry unit weight, the shear strength and bearing capacity of ground decrease, while the void ratio and compressibility increase. If the organic matter content is more than about 8% in solid waste soils, it is not suitable for use as a sub-base material in road construction due to the significant decrease of shear strength and bearing capacity.     

城市河道淤泥特性及改良试验初探

以南京内秦淮河疏浚淤泥为例,通过土工试验、XRD和X射线荧光光谱试验等方法,研究了城市河道淤泥的物理性质、矿物成分、化学成分等特性。试验结果显示:秦淮河淤泥粘粒含量低、有机质含量极高,矿物成分主要有石英和少量粘土矿物等。为了实现淤泥的资源化处理,运用水泥、石灰无机固化材料对淤泥进行固化改良试验及改性土无侧限抗压强度试验,结果表明随着水泥掺量增加,水泥固化土由塑性破坏向脆性破坏过渡,破坏应变在1.8%~2.2%,而石灰固化土均表现为脆性破坏,且破坏应变小于水泥土,为1%左右。水泥固化土28d强度为670kPa,固化效果优于石灰,但略低于处理一般软土的固化土强度。研究结果对处置城市河道淤泥有一定参考价值。     

Chronology,stratigraphy and palaeoenvironmental interpretation of a Late Pleistocene to mid‐Holocene cave accumulation on Kangaroo Island,South Australia

Chronological, sedimentological and geochemical analyses of a clastic infill from Kelly Hill Cave (5K1), Kangaroo Island, document a palaeoenvironmental record that spans from the Late Pleistocene to the middle Holocene. We AMS radiocarbon‐dated bone collagen and U–Th‐dated speleothem to determine that fossiliferous sediments were deposited between >20 ka and 7 ka ago. Most of the 15 sedimentary layers are dominated by sand‐ and silt‐sized quartz that is physically and geochemically comparable with surface soils in the Kelly Hill area. Late Pleistocene and Last Glacial Maximum strata are represented primarily by homogeneous, poorly sorted quartz‐rich sediments that contain little organic matter, but include a thin layer composed largely of silt‐sized clay pellets that resemble sediments deflated from playa lakes. Microstructures observed in petrographic slides indicate that, with the exception of one layer, all sediments experienced little reworking once deposited in the cave. Some layers display pedogenic microstructures such as redeposited clays and opaline silica infilling that indicate postdepositional modification; that is, cave‐floor soil development. Overlying Holocene‐aged sediments also consist mainly of quartz but have much greater organic matter content. Some of these sediments have been strongly influenced by re‐precipitated organic matter that appears to have been transported into the cave via vadose drip water. The presence of dissolved organic matter in soil/vadose waters suggests a high vegetation density and acidic soils, which are congruent with the more equitable climatic conditions characteristic of the Holocene. The sediments described here provide a valuable palaeoenvironmental record that will facilitate future interpretation of associated vertebrate fossils.     

Study on the quantitative relationship between soil in situ strength and drilling parameters

The rational use of drilling parameters is a hot issue in the field of geotechnical engineering and geological engineering. A new method, for evaluating the bearing capacity of soils using drilling parameters was proposed. First, through the mechanical analysis of the drill bit, the preconditions and theoretical formulas for calculating the bearing capacity of soils using the bit’s torque are clearly defined. Next, drilling tests and dynamic cone penetration tests were performed on miscellaneous fill, silty clay, sandy clay, medium coarse sand and gravel sand, and the empirical formula for calculating the bearing capacity of these soils were given. Then, using the new method and the empirical formula, the bearing capacity of the soil under the roadbed was examined. The test results show that the bit’s torque is a good parameter for the evaluation of the bearing capacity of the soil. Finally, the application scope of the new method and the empirical formula is discussed, and the subsequent research directions are pointed out.     

Zinc availability in relation to selected soil properties in a crude oil polluted eutric tropofluvent

The study investigated zinc availability in relation to selected soil properties in a crude-oil-polluted Eutric Tropofluvent in Egbema, Southeastern Nigeria. For this purpose, three treatments have been applied: unpolluted soil, polluted without vegetation and polluted with vegetation with five replicates arranged in a randomized complete block design. Guided by transect sampling technique, soil sampling was carried out in June 2008. Soil samples were collected from the three different land units using soil auger at a depth of 0–20 cm. Standard laboratory procedures were adopted in analysing the soils. Soil generated data were subjected to analysis of variance and correlation analysis. Results showed highly significant variation (p = 0.01) in bulk density, porosity, silt: clay ratio, pH, effective cation exchange capacity, percent base saturation, total nitrogen, organic matter, available phosphorus, calcium: magnesium ratio and zinc. It was found that zinc was higher in crude oil polluted soils than in non-polluted soil and it was below critical limits. Zinc availability in relation to selected soil properties in the crude oil polluted soils indicated that clay and organic matter did not affect zinc availability, while pH and effective cation exchange capacity did. A study on zinc dynamics in crude-oil-polluted soils will certainly provide further information on the management of crude-oil-polluted soils since it is one of the key micronutrient for crop productivity.     

Metals and grain size distributions in soil of the middle Rio Grande basin, Texas USA

 This paper deals with the problem of increased heavy metal constituents in agricultural soils due to the expanded use of fertilizers and elevated atmospheric deposition. It discusses the extent of contamination in soil and establishes an environmental monitoring program in the chosen area of concern in the southern coastal region of Texas. Grain size, pH, and metals (Cu, Cd, Zn, Pb, Ni, Ba, As, Cr, Mn, and Fe) were determined in soils of the middle Rio Grande basin. The soils were mainly of sand texture and alkaline in character. Fine sand constituted the major proportion of the soil, and clay and silt ranged from 8–30% of the soil. Correlations of metal concentrations to grain size and iron contents were performed. Metals, except Cd and Pb, gave positive to negative relationships with decreases in grain size. Silt gave no relationship with metal content while clay and silt had a positive relationship. All these metals had a positive correlation with iron in the soil. The results indicate metals are associated with coarse sand, clay, and iron hydroxides surfaces of the soil. The comparison of metal content in soil of the middle Rio Grande basin with metals from other areas of the world suggests that it is relatively uncontaminated. Received: 14 December 1998 · Accepted: 19 Jaunuary 1999     

Applicability of piezocone and dilatometer to characterize the soils of the Venice Lagoon

The effectiveness of two geotechnical investigation tools—the piezocone and the dilatometer—to characterize the soils forming the shallowest deposits of the upper quaternary basin of the Venice lagoon soil is examined in this study. For this purpose, the results of a comprehensive site and laboratory investigation carried out recently over a small lagoon area—the Malamocco Test Site—are used to evaluate the applicability of the most widely used charts or correlative equations to characterize soil profile and estimate the main geotechnical properties of these soils, when applied to the interpretation of CPTU and DMT results. The particular interest of this site—apart from its unquestionable historical relevance—is the presence, apparently without any regular pattern in depth and site, of a predominantly silty fraction combined with clay and/or sand, thus forming an erratic interbedding of various types of sediments. This case represents therefore the opposite condition of that which has been normally utilized in the past to calibrate the two devices, namely the presence of particularly homogeneous natural deposits or artificially sedimented homogeneous layers of sand or clay. The Malamocco Test Site may therefore be considered as test benchmark for the applicability of the two devices to characterize highly heterogeneous silty deposits.