Intermittent Leaching of Saline-Sodic Soil in the Sistan Plain Using Biochar, Acidic Biochar, Graphene Oxide, and Gypsum
Subject Areas : Optimal management of water and soil resourcesAzad Aghai 1 , Payman Afrasiab 2 * , Masoumeh Delbari 3 , Ali Shahriari 4 , Alireza Ovaysi 5
1 - PhD Graduate in Irrigation and Drainage, Department of Water Engineering, University of Zabol.
2 - Corresponding Author and Faculty Member, Department of Water Engineering, University of Zabol.
3 - Corresponding Author and Faculty Member, Department of Water Engineering, University of Zabol.
4 - عضو Faculty Member, Department of Soil Science, University of Zabol.
5 - Faculty Member, Department of Chemistry, University of Zabol.
Keywords: Leaching, Biochar, Graphene Oxide, Soil Amendment, Sodium Adsorption Ratio,
Abstract :
Background and Aim:Soil salinity and decreased fertility are among the most critical environmental challenges in land management, especially in arid and semi-arid regions such as Sistan. These conditions not only limit agricultural production but also threaten ecosystem balance. Amending saline-sodic soils in such areas is essential due to the vital need for crop production. In this context, the simultaneous use of soil amendments and leaching has been proposed as an effective strategy to improve soil quality. This study aimed to investigate the effects of different amendments, including gypsum, biochar, acid-modified biochar, and graphene oxide, on reducing salinity and exchangeable sodium, as well as improving soil chemical properties.
Materials and Methods:
The effects of various amendments on the leaching of saline-sodic soils from the Sistan plain were examined. The amendments included grapewood biochar, its combination with terephthalic acid, graphene oxide, and gypsum. Experiments were conducted under controlled laboratory conditions using cylindrical columns. The soil, with a loam texture and saline-sodic characteristics, was collected from Nimroz, Sistan, and placed in columns with a capacity of 1.5 kg. The leaching process was performed over ten intermittent cycles with five-day intervals, applying water equal to the soil pore volume in each cycle. At the end of each cycle, the leachate was collected and its chemical properties were measured. Additionally, the soil inside the columns was analyzed after the completion of the experiments.
Findings:Results showed that the use of modified biochar, particularly in the treatment containing 5% terephthalic acid and graphene oxide, produced the most significant reduction in soil salinity and sodium adsorption ratio. The use of modified biochar also increased nutrient retention capacity and improved the chemical properties of the soil. Leachate analyses indicated that a water volume equal to four to five times the soil pore volume was sufficient to achieve complete soil leaching, effectively altering sodium and chloride concentrations. Comparisons among treatments showed that organic amendments (biochar and its combination with terephthalic acid) performed better than gypsum in reducing salinity and exchangeable sodium, suggesting their superior effectiveness for managing saline-sodic soils.
Conclusion:These findings demonstrate the efficiency of using modified biochar in combination with intermittent leaching to improve saline-sodic soils. Reducing salinity and exchangeable sodium not only enhances soil quality and crop performance but also contributes to maintaining soil chemical and ecosystem balance. This study emphasizes the importance of using organic amendments together with intermittent leaching in managing saline-sodic soils in arid and semi-arid regions, and the results can serve as a practical and scientific guide for agricultural planning and soil quality improvement in such areas.
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