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EFFECT OF SOIL PHYSICAL PROPERTIES DEGRADATION ON SOIL RETENTION CAPACITY USING AN EXAMPLE OF CAMBISOLS

Jan Hladký

Abstract

Soil degradation is a global problem which is steadily growing. The consequences of soil degradation are environmental, economic and social. This work deals with degradation of physical properties of soil. The aim of the paper is to determine the effect of soil compaction on its retention. For this purpose, 16 plots with soil type cambisols were selected. Physical properties of eight plots are assessed as undegraded and eight as degraded. We focused mainly on bulk density and porosity as indicators of over-compaction. Samples for physical analysis were collected using soil rollers. In addition to bulk density and porosity, grain size was also determined. All sampling plots are located in the Czech Republic, at an altitude of 500-650 m. The average bulk density of degraded soils is 1.70 g/cm3. This is indicative of significant soil compaction. This corresponds to very low porosity (28.73 %). In general, it can be said these soils have a very disturbed water and air regime. The calculated water retention for arable land (0-30 cm) is 228.98 mm in degraded soils. Undegraded soils have an average bulk density of 1.40 g/cm3 and their porosity is 50.22 %. The retention in these soils was determined 361.4 mm in the topsoil layer (0-30 cm). ANOVA statistical analysis found that soil degradation had a statistically significant effect on its retention. In the case of the subsoil (30-60 cm) the porosity of the degraded soils was only 18.43 % and the bulk weight was 1.83g/cm3. The retention of subsoil of degraded soil was only 187.5 mm. Subsoil of non-degraded soils have a porosity 41.2 % and a bulk density 1.61 g/m3. The retention was 296.1 mm there. Even in the case of subsoil, the ANOVA statistical analysis revealed that the degradation of the physical properties had a statistically significant effect on soil retention. Physical soil degradation leads to significant disruption of water and air regimes of soil. In particular, the soil compaction results in a reduction in the ability to receive water. Afterwards, precipitation leads to drainage of water over the surface of soil which increases the risk of water erosion and subsequent flooding

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DOI resolver: doi.org/10.5593/sgem2018/3.2/s13.020

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