Effects of iron-based amendments on soil structure: a lab experiment using soil micromorphology and image analysis of pores

摘要: Recent trends in soil green and sustainable remediation require an increased attention on environmental effects. The physical consequences of practices structure are very rarely investigated. A laboratory experiment was carried out by adding iron grit to a sand (S), silt loam (L), clay (C) subjected several wetting-drying cycles. effects the treatment pore system were identified quantified combining measurements repacked samples with image analysis pores resin-impregnated blocks micromorphological thin sections. negligible reduction total porosity (P) resulted S, slight increase observed L C soils. However, important impact size range >10 μm for soils, formation new related differential shrink-swell behavior between matrix added grains. Different plasticity these soils also played role planar formation. Effects addition strongly dependent properties. performed showed that iron-based amendments can improve low-plastic increasing transmission (50–500 μm). This study high potential micromorphology order evaluate practices.