Effectiveness of Biological Mulch Types on Sand Dune Stabilization

Abstract

Wind erosion is considered a major global environmental problem. Sands torms cause serious damages to municipal, industrial and agricultural areas. Mulch is one of the most common materials for soil stabilization, which mitigates wind erosion and dust formation. In this research different combinations of organic (waste press mud, beet vinasse dunder andcompost) were used in combination with clay as a stabilizer. Sandy soil from the Dejgah plain, the Provice of Fars, was used as the erodible material. Experiments were carried out in a completely randomized desing (CRD) with 14 treatments (organic mulch type). The mulches were sprinkled on plots of 50×30×1 cm sand. The thickness and mechanical properties of the mulched layear, namely the: shear strength, penetration resistance, and wind erodibility of the treatments were measured. Based on the analysis of variance (ANOVA), the effects of mulch type on thickness, penetration resistance, and shear strength of surface soil were highly significant (p<0.05). Based on comparison of means with the Duncan's multiple range test, the M1 treatment with 25g compost+100g vinasse+100g clay had the highest thickness, penetration resistance, shear strength and the lowest amount of wind erodibility. Due to the biodegradability and economic justification (lower operating cost than petroleum and polymeric mulches), the organic mulch was recognized as the best combination for stabilizing sandy soils.

Keywords

• organic waste
• resistance
• sand dune stabilization
• wind erosion control