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Influence of Electrokinetic Process on Compressibility Behaviour of Salt Affected Soils

Geotechnical and Geological Engineering volume 40, pages 4159–4170 (2022)Cite this article

Abstract

The improvement of salt affected lands is a major environmental challenge in arid and semi arid regions all over the world. Electrokinetic treatment is one of the environmentally friendly and cost-effective methods that can be used in reclamation of saline soils. In this study, the effect of electrokinetic remediation (EKR) on compressibility characteristics of fine-grained salt affected soils was investigated. The soil samples were subjected to the following applied voltage gradients of 1, 2 and 3 V/cm during 7 days, followed by oedometer tests to evaluate the soil consolidation parameters. The obtained results are presented and discussed regarding to the variation of applied potential on compressibility characteristics of the treated soil samples. Experimental results show that each of compressive index and swelling index decreases with increasing the voltage, whereas preconsolidation pressure increase. These variations were attributed to water flow between electrodes and migrations of salt cations toward the cathode. Moreover, EKR demonstrates changes in soil pH as a result of electrolyse soil reactions. This research reveals that the use of EKR using direct current improves compressibility characteristics of saline soils involving a short time period. This process proves that it can be successful to soil remediation for civil engineering use.

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Fig. 1

Source: FAO 2015; Butcher et al. 2016; Zaman et al. 2018; Sahab et al. 2021

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Source: World Meteorological Organization (WMO). United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)

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Data Availability

The datasets generated during and/or analysed during the current study are not publicly because individual privacy could be compromised, but are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

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Acknowledgements

The authors are grateful for the financial support received from the Directorate General for Scientific Research and Technological Development, Algeria.

Funding

This work was supported by the Directorate General for Scientific Research and Technological Development, Algeria.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Construction, Transport & Protection of the Environment Laboratory (LCTPE), Department of Civil Engineering, University Abdelhamid Ibn Badis of Mostaganem, Mostaganem, Algeria

    Fatima Zohra Hadjadj, Nadia Laredj, Mustapha Maliki & Hanifi Missoum

Authors
  1. Fatima Zohra Hadjadj
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  2. Nadia Laredj
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  3. Mustapha Maliki
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  4. Hanifi Missoum
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All authors contributed to the study conception, Material preparation, data collection and analysis. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

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Correspondence to Mustapha Maliki.

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Hadjadj, F.Z., Laredj, N., Maliki, M. et al. Influence of Electrokinetic Process on Compressibility Behaviour of Salt Affected Soils. Geotech Geol Eng 40, 4159–4170 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10706-022-02147-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10706-022-02147-0

Keywords

  • Saline soils
  • Compressibility characteristics
  • Electrokinetic remediation
  • Swelling index
  • Voltage gradient