Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

A quantitative assessment of the dynamic process and potential capacity of using gypsum to reclaim sodic soil

  • Soils, Sec 3 • Remediation and Management of Contaminated or Degraded Lands • Research Article
  • Published:
Journal of Soils and Sediments Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose

The effectiveness of gypsum in sodic soil amelioration has been widely recognized. The basic amelioration mechanism is well known, but quantitative details are lacking; such details would clarify the process so that gypsum can be used more rationally and efficiently in actual amelioration projects of sodic land.

Materials and methods

Sodic soil with pH, electrical conductivity (EC), exchangeable sodium percentage (ESP) and sodium adsorption ratio (SAR) values of 9.4, 0.66 mS cm–1, 43.3% and 58.6 (mmolc L−1)1/2, respectively, was sampled from the Songnen Plain. Three gypsum solutions with concentrations of 0 (CK), 1.13 (half-saturated solution; 1/2GS) and 2.26 g L–1 (saturated solution; GS) were used to leach sodic soil columns (inner diameter and depth were all 5 cm) and the variations in pH, EC and ion concentration in the leachate and soil were investigated.

Results and discussion

The eluent appeared at the bottom of the soil column after 1.8, 64.4 and 147.6 h for the GS, 1/2GS, and CK treatments, respectively. The rates of infiltration and salt leaching at a given time were always faster in the GS treatment, followed by the 1/2GS treatment. In the GS leachate, the curves of infiltration rate, pH, EC and HCO3– concentration with the cumulative volume of leachate all showed turning points at a leachate pore volume (PV) of 0.6. As leaching continued, Ca–Na exchange, followed by Ca–Mg exchange, occurred in the gypsum-treated soil. The Ca2+ utilization rate was 96.5% and 94.4% in the GS and 1/2GS treatments, respectively, in the period of Ca–Na exchange, and the rate during Ca–Mg exchange was higher in the 1/2GS than the GS treatment. When the cumulative leachate volume reached 18 and 20 PV in the GS and 1/2GS treatments, respectively, the leachate EC and pH values were stable (the errors of three consecutive leachate samples were all within 0.5% and 0.5, respectively; equilibrium state). In the gypsum treatments, the soil pH, SAR and ESP decreased by more than 1.5 units, 13.8 (mmolc L−1)1/2 and 22.3%, respectively, compared to CK.

Conclusions

To achieve rapid amelioration, efficient utilization of Ca2+, and reduced water consumption, it is suggested that the initial gypsum application rate for sodic soil amelioration be calculated on the basis of the exchangeable Na+ concentration and combined with appropriate water measures to maintain a high concentration of gypsum solution, followed by multiple applications of small amounts to create a low-concentration gypsum solution environment to reduce Mg2+.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6

Similar content being viewed by others

Data availability

All data supporting to this work is available in this article.

References

  • Adeyemo T, Kramer I, Levy GJ, Mau Y (2022) Salinity and sodicity can cause hysteresis in soil hydraulic conductivity. Geoderma 413:115765

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Alam Q, Lazaro A, Schollbach K, Brouwers HJH (2020) Chemical speciation, distribution and leaching behavior of chlorides from municipal solid waste incineration bottom ash. Chemosphere 241:124985

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Amini S, Ghadiri H, Chen C, Marschner P (2015) Salt-affected soils, reclamation, carbon dynamics, and biochar: a review. J Soils Sediments 16:939–953

    Google Scholar 

  • Armstrong ASB, Tanton TW (1992) Gypsum applications to aggregated saline-sodic clay topsoils. J Soil Sci 43:249–260

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bagarello V, Iovino M, Palazzolo E, Panno M, Reynolds WD (2006) Field and laboratory approaches for determining sodicity effects on saturated soil hydraulic conductivity. Geoderma 130:1–13

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bao S (2008) Soil agro-chemistrical analysis (III). China Agriculture Press, Beijing

    Google Scholar 

  • Bhardwaj AK, Mishra VK, Singh AK, Arora S, Srivastava S, Singh YP, Sharma DK (2019) Soil salinity and land use-land cover interactions with soil carbon in a salt-affected irrigation canal command of Indo-Gangetic plain. CATENA 180:392–400

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Chi CM, Zhao CW, Sun XJ, Wang ZC (2012) Reclamation of saline-sodic soil properties and improvement of rice (Oriza sativa L.) growth and yield using desulfurized gypsum in the west of Songnen Plain, northeast China. Geoderma 187–188:24–30

    Google Scholar 

  • Deng M, Liu Q, Xu Z (2013) Impact of gypsum supersaturated solution on surface properties of silica and sphalerite minerals. Miner Eng 46–47:6–15

    Google Scholar 

  • Diamantis VI, Voudrias EA (2008) Laboratory and pilot studies on reclamation of a salt-affected alluvial soil. Environ Geol 54:643–651

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • East China University of Science and Technology, Sichuan University (2018) Analytical chemistry, 7th edn. Higher Education Press, Beijing

    Google Scholar 

  • FAO-Unesco (1997) Soil Map of the World, Revised Legend. ISRIC, Wageningen

  • Farooq M, Hussain M, Wakeel A, Siddique KHM (2015) Salt stress in maize: effects, resistance mechanisms, and management. A Review. Agron Sustain Dev 35:461–481

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Fei Y, She D, Gao L, Xin P (2019) Micro-CT assessment on the soil structure and hydraulic characteristics of saline/sodic soils subjected to short-term amendment. Soil till Res 193:59–70

    Google Scholar 

  • Hernández-López MF, Gironás J, Braud I, Suárez F, Muñoz JF (2014) Assessment of evaporation and water fluxes in a column of dry saline soil subject to different water table levels. Hydrol Process 28:3655–3669

    Google Scholar 

  • Johannes A, Weisskopf P, Schulin R, Boivin P (2019) Soil structure quality indicators and their limit values. Ecol Indic 104:686–694

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Karnland O, Birgersson M, Hedström M (2011) Selectivity coefficient for Ca/Na ion exchange in highly compacted bentonite. Phys Chem Earth 36:1554–1558

    Google Scholar 

  • Kong X, Jiang X, Xue S, Huang L, Hartley W, Wu C, Li X (2018) Migration and distribution of saline ions in bauxite residue during water leaching. Trans Nonferrous Met Soc China 28:534–541

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kopittke PM, So HB, Menzies NW (2006) Effect of ionic strength and clay mineralogy on Na-Ca exchange and the SAR-ESP relationship. Eur J Soil Sci 57:626–633

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Koralegedara NH, Pinto PX, Dionysiou DD, Al-Abed SR (2019) Recent advances in flue gas desulfurization gypsum processes and applications - a review. J Environ Manag 251:109572

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Li H, Wei J, Ge Y, Wang Z, Wang Y, Li Y (2016) The influence of Na+ and Ca2+ on the migration of colloids or/and ammonia nitrogen in an unsaturated zone medium. J Contam Hydrol 194:24–29

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Liao R, Yu H, Yang P, Lin H (2020) Quantitative evaluation of pore characteristics of sodic soils reclaimed by flue gas desulphurization gypsum using X-ray computed tomography. Land Degrad Dev 31:545–556

    Google Scholar 

  • Mao Y, Li X, Dick WA, Chen L (2016) Remediation of saline-sodic soil with flue gas desulfurization gypsum in a reclaimed tidal flat of southeast China. J Environ Sci 45:224–232

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mukhopadhyay R, Sarkar B, Jat HS, Sharma PC, Bolan NS (2021) Soil salinity under climate change: challenges for sustainable agriculture and food security. J Environ Manag 280:111736

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Rabot E, Wiesmeier M, Schlüter S, Vogel HJ (2018) Soil structure as an indicator of soil functions: a review. Geoderma 314:122–137

    Google Scholar 

  • Richards LA (1954) Diagnosis and improvement of saline and alkali soils. US Salinity Laboratory Staff, Washington DC

    Google Scholar 

  • Schofield S, Jankowski J (2004) Hydrochemistry and isotopic composition of Na–HCO3-rich groundwaters from the Ballimore region, central New South Wales, Australia. Chem Geol 211:111–134

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Shainberg I, Caiserman A (1970) Studies on Na/Ca montmorillonite systems 2. The hydraulic conductivity. Soil Sci 111:276–281

    Google Scholar 

  • Skyllberg U, Raulund-Rasmussen K, Borggaard OK (2001) pH buffering in acidic soils developed under Picea abies and Quercus robur – effects of soil organic matter, adsorbed cations and soil solution ionic strength. Biogeochem 56:51–74

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sundha P, Basak N, Rai AK, Yadav RK, Sharma PC, Sharma DK (2020) Can conjunctive use of gypsum, city waste composts and marginal quality water rehabilitate saline-sodic soils? Soil till Res 200:104608

    Google Scholar 

  • Tanton TW, Rycroft DW, Wilkinson FM (1988) The leaching of salts from saline heavy clay soils: factors affecting the leaching process. Soil Use Manag 4:133–140

    Google Scholar 

  • Temiz C, Cayci G (2018) The effects of gypsum and mulch applications on reclamation parameters and physical properties of an alkali soil. Environ Monit Assess 190:346–358

    Google Scholar 

  • Tirado-Corbalá R, Slater BK, Dick WA, Bigham J, McCoy E (2013) Hydrologic properties and leachate nutrient responses of soil columns collected from gypsum-treated fields. Soil till Res 134:232–240

    Google Scholar 

  • Torkzaban S, Bradford SA, Vanderzalm JL, Patterson BM, Harris B, Prommer H (2015) Colloid release and clogging in porous media: Effects of solution ionic strength and flow velocity. J Contam Hydrol 181:161–171

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wang J, Bai Z, Yang P (2016) Using HYDRUS to simulate the dynamic changes of Ca2+ and Na+ in sodic soils reclaimed by gypsum. Soil Water Res 11:1–10

    Google Scholar 

  • Wang JM, Bai ZK, Yang PL (2014) Mechanism and numerical simulation of multicomponent solute transport in sodic soils reclaimed by calcium sulfate. Environ Earth Sci 72:157–169

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wang SJ, Chen Q, Li Y, Zhuo YQ, Xu LZ (2017) Research on saline-alkali soil amelioration with FGD gypsum. Resour Conserv Recycl 121:82–92

    Google Scholar 

  • Wang Y, Wang Z, Liang F, Jing X, Feng W (2021) Application of flue gas desulfurization gypsum improves multiple functions of saline-sodic soils across China. Chemosphere 277:130345

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Weil RR, Brady NC (2016) The nature and properties of soils. Pearson, London

    Google Scholar 

  • Wong VNL, Greene RSB, Dalal RC, Murphy BW (2010) Soil carbon dynamics in saline and sodic soils: a review. Soil Use Manage 26(1):2–11

  • Yazdanpanah N, Mahmoodabadi M (2013) Reclamation of calcareous saline–sodic soil using different amendments: time changes of soluble cations in leachate. Arab J Geosci 6:2519–2528

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang L, Ge AH, Tóth T, Yang F, Wang Z, An F (2023) Reclamation effects of distinct volumes and concentrations of CaCl2-amended brackish ice in different saline-sodic soils. J Environ Manag 337:117748

  • Zhang W, Zhang W, Wang S, Liu J, Li Y, Zhuo Y, Xu L, Zhao Y (2021a) Band application of flue gas desulfurization gypsum improves sodic soil amelioration. J Environ Manag 298:113535

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang W, Zhao Y, Wang S, Li Y, Zhuo Y, Liu J (2021b) Soil salinity and sodicity changes after a one-time application of flue gas desulphurization gypsum to paddy fields. Land Degrad Dev 32:4193–4202

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhang XC, Norton LD (2002) Effect of exchangeable Mg on saturated hydraulic conductivity, disaggregation and clay dispersion of disturbed soils. J Hydrol 260:194–205

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zhao Y, Zhang W, Wang S, Liu J, Li Y, Zhuo Y (2020) Effects of soil moisture on the reclamation of sodic soil by flue gas desulfurization gypsum. Geoderma 375:114485

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zhao YG, Wang SJ, Li Y, Liu J, Zhuo YQ, Chen HX, Wang J, Xu LZ, Sun ZT (2018) Extensive reclamation of saline-sodic soils with flue gas desulfurization gypsum on the Songnen Plain, Northeast China. Geoderma 321:52–60

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zhou D, Wang D, Cang L, Hao X, Chu L (2011) Transport and re-entrainment of soil colloids in saturated packed column: effects of pH and ionic strength. J Soils Sediments 11:491–503

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zhu P, Zhang G, Zhang B (2022) Soil saturated hydraulic conductivity of typical revegetated plants on steep gully slopes of Chinese Loess Plateau. Geoderma 412:115717

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zhuang J, Tyner JS, Perfect E (2009) Colloid transport and remobilization in porous media during infiltration and drainage. Hydrol J 377:112–119

    CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Funding

This research was supported by the National Key Research and Development Program of China (2022YFD1500502).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Grassland Science, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, 100083, People’s Republic of China

    Wenchao Zhang

  2. Department of Energy and Power Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, People’s Republic of China

    Wenchao Zhang, Shujuan Wang, Zhentao Sun, Yan Li, Yuqun Zhuo, Lizhen Xu & Yonggan Zhao

  3. Beijing Engineering Research Centre for Ecological Restoration and Carbon Fixation of Saline–Alkaline and Desert Land, Beijing, 100084, People’s Republic of China

    Wenchao Zhang, Shujuan Wang, Zhentao Sun, Yan Li, Yuqun Zhuo, Lizhen Xu & Yonggan Zhao

  4. Shanxi Research Institute for Clean Energy of Tsinghua University, Shanxi, 030032, People’s Republic of China

    Wenchao Zhang, Wenxin Zhang, Shujuan Wang, Zhentao Sun, Yan Li, Yuqun Zhuo, Lizhen Xu & Yonggan Zhao

  5. Tsinghua Agriculture Co., Ltd., Beijing, 100084, People’s Republic of China

    Jia Liu

Authors
  1. Wenchao Zhang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Wenxin Zhang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Shujuan Wang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Zhentao Sun
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Jia Liu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Yan Li
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Yuqun Zhuo
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  8. Lizhen Xu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  9. Yonggan Zhao
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Yonggan Zhao.

Ethics declarations

Competing interest

The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest.

Additional information

Responsible editor: Claudio Colombo

Publisher's Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Wenchao Zhang and Wenxin Zhang contributed equally to this article as first authors.

Supplementary Information

Below is the link to the electronic supplementary material.

Supplementary file1 (DOCX 747 KB)

Rights and permissions

Springer Nature or its licensor (e.g. a society or other partner) holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law.

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Zhang, W., Zhang, W., Wang, S. et al. A quantitative assessment of the dynamic process and potential capacity of using gypsum to reclaim sodic soil. J Soils Sediments 23, 3082–3095 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11368-023-03535-6

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11368-023-03535-6

Keywords

Search

Navigation