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Saline soil is composed of abundant soluble salts, exhibiting undesirable properties when used in backfill projects. To address the mentioned problem, a hydrophobic polymer with an active ingredient of hydrosiloxane-containing siloxane was evaluated as a soil additive in this paper. Five groups of specimens were solidified with a fixed dosage of polymer, with initial water contents (IWCs) ranging from 12.8% to 20.8%, to determine the effectiveness of polymer treatment and the effect of IWC. Natural specimens were also prepared to serve as a control condition. Results showed that the polymer formed a hydrophobic interface on the surface of soil particles, causing the shrinkage of the diffuse double layer (DDL) and the flocculation of clay particles. Therefore, the plasticity index reduced, and the fine particles transformed into coarser particles after polymer treatment. Furthermore, the polymer-solidified soil exhibited a significant enhancement in unconfined compressive strength, characterized by an agglomerated microstructure that possessed a high cementing ability. Nevertheless, increasing IWCs continuously induced a decrease in the strength of the solidified soil, especially when the IWC was greater than the optimum water content. The maximum strength increase rate could be up to 98.2%. However, at an IWC of 20.8%, the strength increase rate could still reach approximately 72%. Correlation analysis showed that the solidification mechanism of the hydrophobic polymer was mainly electrostatic interactions. Variable water contents mainly affected the formation of polymer bonding and thickness of DDL. The utilization of hydrophobic polymer for soil improvement in backfill projects shows great potential in light of these findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over 75% of subsistence farmers in rural Timor-Leste face challenges from unsustainable land use practices, particularly slash-and-burn farming on degraded steep slopes. These practices contribute to soil erosion, and poor crop yields, ultimately leading to land and environmental degradation and food insecurity. Recently, agroforestry projects have aimed to improve land productivity and farmers' livelihoods, though their impact remains unclear. This study aimed to evaluate these impacts through three research questions: (1) How do agroforestry interventions impact field crop performance and smallholder farmers' livelihoods? (2) What is the extent of farmer adoption of these interventions? (3) What is the effect of agroforestry interventions on soil physical and chemical characteristics? The study was conducted at the Global Climate Change Alliance (GCCA) project site at Saraida, Quelicai, Baucau municipality, during the rainy season from December 2021 to April 2022. Interviews and focus group discussions were conducted with 35 farmers involved in the project, alongside field assessments of soil erosion and pot experiments. The results showed that most farmers reported improved production and outcomes from growing trees and would like to replicate agroforestry systems, suggesting adoption likelihood due to the multiple benefits of agroforestry, including soil improvement, animal feed, fuelwood provision, and environmental and biodiversity sustainability. Measurements of soil loss and plant productivity confirmed the positive impact of agroforestry, reducing soil erosion by nearly 15 times compared to traditional fallow systems and improving crop growth and yields in both fallow and slash-and-mulch systems. This study provides essential baseline data and guidance for future farmland management in Timor-Leste. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil improvement is one of the most important issues in geotechnical engineering practice. The wide application of traditional improvement techniques (cement/chemical materials) are limited due to damage ecological environment and intensify carbon emissions. However, the use of microbially induced calcium carbonate precipitation (MICP) to obtain bio-cement is a novel technique with the potential to induce soil stability, providing a low-carbon, environment-friendly, and sustainable integrated solution for some geotechnical engineering problems in the environment. This paper presents a comprehensive review of the latest progress in soil improvement based on the MICP strategy. It systematically summarizes and overviews the mineralization mechanism, influencing factors, improved methods, engineering characteristics, and current field application status of the MICP. Additionally, it also explores the limitations and correspondingly proposes prospective applications via the MICP approach for soil improvement. This review indicates that the utilization of different environmental calciumbased wastes in MICP and combination of materials and MICP are conducive to meeting engineering and market demand. Furthermore, we recommend and encourage global collaborative study and practice with a view to commercializing MICP technique in the future. The current review purports to provide insights for engineers and interdisciplinary researchers, and guidance for future engineering applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the production of high-quality organic fertilizers from biomass waste in the Ban Wa Yai community of Sakon Nakhon Province, Northeastern Thailand, aimed at promoting sustainable agricultural practices amidst challenges such as soil degradation and reliance on chemical fertilizers. The primary objective was to develop organic fertilizers that enhance soil health and support plant growth while utilizing locally sourced biomass materials, including cow and buffalo manure, finely ground fermented leaf scraps, and weed debris. A fermentation process lasting 15 to 30 days was used, integrating biochar to improve nutrient profiles and microbial activity. Results showed optimal pH levels of 8.04 after 15 days and 7.94 after 30 days of fermentation, beneficial for addressing the region's acidic soil conditions (pH 4.67 - 5.38). The germination index (GI) was notably high at 129 ± 1.86 after 30 days, indicating effective growth promotion potential. Analytical assessments confirmed nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) concentrations in the organic fertilizers met or exceeded organic standards, supporting plant nutrition and fostering healthy microbial ecosystems. The organic matter (OM) and organic carbon (OC) content were approximately 40 - 60 % higher than commercial alternatives, enhancing soil structure, aeration, and water retention. Additionally, calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg) levels improved the nutrient profile, with Ca slightly exceeding standard limits, which helps ameliorate soil acidity. Economic analysis indicated a 40 % reduction in fertilizer costs for local farmers, promoting a shift towards organic practices. Overall, this study emphasizes the significance of self-reliance and the sufficiency economy philosophy in fostering sustainable agriculture practices within the Ban Wa Yai community. By utilizing local resources and transitioning from chemical fertilizers to high-quality organic fertilizers, the community enhances agricultural productivity while promoting economic independence and resilience. Such initiatives exemplify the potential for integrating traditional practices with modern agricultural methods to ensure a sustainable future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explores the potential of glass polishing waste (GPW) in improving clayey soil from the Guabirotuba formation. The research stands out by developing a novel geomaterial and proposing equations to predict mechanical behavior, focusing on the effects of porosity (η), GPW content, and cement on unconfined compressive strength (qu), splitting tensile strength (qt), and durability through accumulated loss of mass (ALM). This research contributes to understanding the parameters that influence the mechanical strength and durability of soil–cement, and soil–cement-GPW blends through the adequacy of the porosity/cement content (η/Civ) and porosity/binder content (η/Biv) indices on qu, qt, and ALM. Soil–cement-GPW blends and a control group (soil–cement) were analyzed, and the microstructure of the best blends was evaluated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results showed that the soil–cement-GPW blends exhibited superior mechanical strengths compared to the soil–cement blends, reaching a maximum value of qu = 3176 kPa and qt = 946 kPa after 90 days in the soil + 8%cement + 15%GPW blends compacted at the modified effort. Soil–cement specimens showed higher ALM (soil + 8%cement; ALM = 8.1%) than the blends with GPW (soil + 8%cement + 15%GPW; ALM = 2.5%). The qu of specimens in durability tests decreased by 15% to 49.5% compared to those in qu tests after 28 days of curing, with the highest losses in blends with lower cement content and no GPW. The results of qu, qt, and ALM were successfully correlated with the η/Civ and η/Biv indices in power-type relationships. These indices proved effective for predicting qu, qt, and ALM, replacing conventional trial-and-error strategies that are typically labor-intensive and time-consuming. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the mechanical and microstructural properties of loose sandy soil stabilized with alkali-activated Ground Granulated Blast Furnace Slag (GGBFS). To examine the effects of varying GGBFS contents, curing times, and confining pressures on mechanical behavior, undrained triaxial and unconfined compressive strength (UCS) tests were conducted. Microstructural analyses using FE-SEM, EDX, and FTIR were performed to elucidate the nature and development of cementation. The results of mechanical behavior demonstrate that even with limited GGBFS content (1–6%), the treated samples exhibited significant improvements in strength, stiffness, and energy absorption, underscoring the efficiency of alkali-activated GGBFS as a soil stabilizer. Moreover, mechanical parameters from triaxial tests revealed a nearly constant internal friction angle with increasing GGBFS content and curing duration, while cohesion showed remarkable enhancement. A strong linear correlation between UCS and cohesion was also identified, enabling cost-effective estimation of shear strength parameters. These findings highlight the potential of alkali-activated GGBFS for improving granular soils, offering practical implications for sustainable geotechnical applications, particularly in road construction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract“Investigating the behavior of silty soils reinforced with geotextile layers in terms of shear strength and deformation in a laboratory setting is the study’s objective described in this paper. This work includes an experimental study based on a series of undrained monotonic triaxial tests, which were carried out on clean sand from Chlef, medium dense (Dr = 50%), mixed with silt content fluctuating between 0 and 30%. The mechanical behavior was examined and discussed in this paper by varying the number of geotextile layers (Ng = 1, 2, 3) and the fines content where the samples were consolidated under 100 kPa confining pressure. Experimental results on unreinforced and reinforced silt/sand soils by geotextile layers show that the quantity of geotextile layers is growing in the studied samples improves the shear strength characteristics of the soil, nevertheless, lessen the radial deformations cause the pore water pressure to rise instead. However, the pore water pressure increases while the deviatoric stress decreases as the percentage of fines increases.” [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The European Union promotes the development of a sustainable approach to solid waste management and disposal. Sewage sludge (SWS) is a good example of this economic model because it has fertilizing and soil-conditioning characteristics. This study employed a conventional manure spreader to evaluate the distribution of SWS on agricultural land. Various interpolation methods and machine learning models were employed to analyze the spatial distribution patterns of the sludge. Data were collected from 15 sampling trays across a controlled field during three separate trials. Statistical analysis using ANOVA highlighted significant variations in sludge quantities along the longitudinal axis but not along the latitudinal one. Interpolation methods, such as spline, cubic spline, and inverse distance weighting (IDW) were used to model the distribution, while machine learning models (k-nearest neighbors, random forest, neural networks) classified spatial patterns. Different performance metrics were calculated for each model. Among the interpolation methods, the IDW model combined with neural networks achieved the highest accuracy, with an MCC of 0.9820. The results highlight the potential for integrating advanced techniques into precision agriculture, improving application efficiency and reducing environmental impact. This approach provides a solid basis for optimizing the operation of agricultural machinery and supporting sustainable waste management practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Studying the ameliorative effects of psammitic soft rock and combined water measures in Mu Us Sandy Land (northern Shaanxi, China) is of great significance for improving soil quality and ensuring food security in sandy regions. The 0–30 cm soil layer was filled with a mixture of soft rock and sand, with four volume ratios: 0 : 1, 1 : 5, 1 : 2, and 1 : 1 (soft rock: sand). The irrigation method used drip irrigation, with two irrigation regimes during the maize growth period: full irrigation (4350 m3/ha) and incomplete irrigation (2925 m3/ha), divided into 10 irrigation sessions. The soil nutrient content was measured annually after the maize harvest. Field trials were conducted, with each experimental plot covering 60 m2 and three field replicates for each treatment. The experimental data from four years (2020 to 2023, planting years 11 to 14) were selected for analysis. The results showed that the nutrient content of the soil increased significantly under incomplete irrigation. The average content of SOM (soil organic matter) and TN (total nitrogen) increased by 4.29 and 0.86 g kg–1, respectively, after 14 years of planting compared with 11 years, particularly in the 1 : 2 compound soil. The average content of AP (available phosphorus) under incomplete irrigation increased by about 71% compared with that under full irrigation. The content of AK (available potassium) increased by about 12%, with the 1 : 5 compound soil showing the largest increase. After 14 years of planting, the NN (nitrate nitrogen) content in the 1 : 1 compound soil decreased by about 14~34% compared with 11 years of planting. The average content of AN (ammonium nitrogen) under incomplete irrigation increased by about 7% compared with that under full irrigation. In summary, this study revealed the dynamic changes of nutrients in compound soil under different management conditions, demonstrating that the comprehensive fertility of the 1 : 2 compound soil was superior. These findings provide a scientific basis for optimizing agricultural management strategies for sandy land. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Low plasticity clays are found in abundance worldwide, exerting undue stresses on civil structures, road pavements and railway infrastructure, owing to the periodic settlement caused by their low bearing capacity and slight swelling potential. They are often encountered as natural soil when constructing road subgrade and have the potential to compromise the integrity of the entire pavement system unless improved appropriately. Furthermore, the accumulation of vast quantities of non-biodegradable glass waste is identified as a challenge in many countries. Considering the above, this paper aims to provide a sustainable solution by studying the effect of crushed glass (CG) at varied inclusions of 0, 5, 10, 15 and 20% in a clay subgrade. The testing procedure implemented includes three distinct testing phases, namely, material properties, microstructural properties and mechanical strength tests. The material property tests involved particle size distribution, X-ray fluorescence (XRF) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) testing. Microstructural tests considered include scanning electron microscope (SEM) and micro-CT (CT) testing, which enabled a vital understanding of how the introduction of glass affects the internal structure of the clay matrix, where an increase in the porosity was evident upon adding CG. The mechanical testing phase involved standard compaction, unconfined comprehensive strength (UCS), California bearing ratio (CBR), resilient modulus and swelling–shrinkage tests. It can be concluded that introducing CG improved the clay's mechanical strength with respect to UCS, CBR and resilient modulus whilst also reducing its swelling potential, where the optimum inclusion of CG at 15% best enhanced the mechanical strength properties of the low plasticity clay. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Saline-alkali soil imposes severe adverse effects on soil utilization and agriculture production worldwide. Amelioration of saline-alkali soil is crucial to ensure global food security and promote sustainable agricultural development. Here, the effects of the combined application of soil amendment desulfurization gypsum (G) and KIA (K, an industrial organic by-product) on soil improvement and plant growth were investigated. Two experiments, a soil column leaching test and a pot experiment for plant growth, were carried out. The results showed that the combined application of G and K reduced soil pH significantly. Although the soil Na+ contents had no change in the combined treatments, the K+, Ca2+ and Mg2+ contents were significantly higher, and the HCO3− and Cl− contents were significantly lower, compared to the control. Furthermore, maize plants exhibited a higher photosynthetic rate and greater dry weight in the combined treatments. Additionally, after plant growth, the soil enzyme activities increased. These results showed that the combined application of G and K could have a more favorable impact on soil improvement by reducing soil pH, enhancing soil ion exchange, increasing soil nutrient contents, and promoting plant growth. Our study suggests that KIA is an effective and eco-friendly soil amendment for improving saline-alkali soil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Significant amounts of waste glass are deposited each year, which poses a significant environmental problem globally. Utilizing waste glass for soil improvement has emerged as an environmentally friendly solution, attracting increased research interest in recent years. This study investigated the effects of waste glass gradation and content ratios on the compaction, strength, and swelling characteristics of medium expansive clayey soil and pulverized glass mixtures. Waste glass was crushed into three different size gradations and mixed with the soil at eight different weight ratios (0%, 4%, 8%, 12%, 16%, 24%, 32%, and 40%). Standard Proctor compaction and unsoaked and soaked California Bearing Ratio (CBR) tests, along with swelling tests, were conducted on each sample. Microstructural analysis was performed through scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results indicated that adding up to 40% pulverized waste glass reduced the Optimum Moisture Content (OMC), whereas the Maximum Dry Density (MDD) increased. Moreover, the unsoaked and soaked CBR values increased notably with higher pulverized glass ratios. Increases in unsoaked CBR values reached up to 143.5%, 129.8%, and 122.1% for coarse, medium, and fine pulverized glass grades respectively, while those for soaked CBR were 209.2%, 197.2%, and 189.4% respectively. Additionally, the swelling percentage decreased as the pulverized glass content increased. The different grades of pulverized glass showed no significant effect on the swelling percentage at glass contents up to 8%. Statistical analysis revealed strong correlations between the tested parameters. Relationships between the soaked and unsoaked CBR values derived from OMC, MDD, and waste glass ratio were also discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The utilization of rhizobacteria and cover crop residue for improving plant productivity has been widely applied in agricultural land. However, the effectiveness of those treatments for increasing the growth performance of crops in the post-mining soil is still not evaluated. This study investigated the potential use of rhizobacteria and cover crop residue for improving the growth of Sorghum sp. developed in the post-nickel mining soil in Southeast Sulawesi. An experiment was established at the laboratory level using a completely randomized design with three replicates for every treatment. Four treatments were examined in this trial comprising of CE (control+Eleusine indica), CC (control+Centrosema sp.), BE (Bacillus sp.+Eleusine indica), and BC (Bacillus sp.+Centrosema sp.). Some parameters were observed to evaluate the growth of Sorghum sp., namely diameter, height, total leaves, leaf area, and biomass. The results demonstrated that the use of rhizobacteria and cover crop residue potentially improves the growth of Sorghum sp. in post-nickel mining soil, even though there was no significant statistical difference between treatments. The highest average biomass of Sorghum sp. was noted in BE (3.72±1.06 g), BC (3.20±0.50 g), CC (2.95±1.40 g), CE (2.81±0.33 g). These findings indicated that the treatment of BE was the best way to improve the growth performance of Sorghum sp. in the post-mining soil. According to the results, this study concluded that rhizobacteria and cover crops play a key role in soil fertility. The utilization of rhizobacteria and cover crop residue has the potential to support the growth of Sorghum sp. developed in the postnickel mining soil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The potential of biochar to mediate shifts in soil microbial communities caused by polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) stress in farmland, thus assisting in the bioremediation of contaminated soil, remains uncertain. This study introduced wheat straw biochars generated at 300 °C (W300) and 500 °C (W500) at varying levels (1% and 2% w/w) into agricultural soil contaminated with phenanthrene at 2.5 and 25 mg/kg. The aim was to investigate their effects on microbial community structure and phenanthrene degradation by indigenous microbes. Biochar application in both slightly (PLS) and heavily (PHS) contaminated soils increased overall microbial/bacterial biomass, preserved bacterial diversity, and selectively enriched certain bacterial genera, which were suppressed by phenanthrene stress, through sorption enhancement and biotoxicity alleviation. The abundances of PAH-degrading genera and nidA degradation gene were promoted by biochar, especially W300, in PHS due to soil nutrient improvement, enhancing phenanthrene biodegradation. However, in PLS, biochar, particularly W500, inhibited their abundance due to a reduction in phenanthrene bioavailability to specific degraders, thus hindering phenanthrene biodegradation. These findings suggest that applying wheat straw biochar produced at appropriate temperatures can benefit soil microbial ecology and facilitate PAH elimination, offering a sustainable strategy for utilizing straw resources and safeguarding soil health and agricultural product quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In a consequence of climate change’s adverse effects, Malaysia’s road infrastructure faces significant challenges, particularly during both dry and rainy seasons, which weaken the natural bonds of the laterite soil. This research, therefore, outlines a laboratory study aimed at assessing the impact of cement stabilisation on the compressibility characteristics of laterite soil, subject to both saturated and unsaturated conditions. This study reveals that a 6% cement dosage is optimal for stabilising the laterite soil, proving the minimum 7-day strength requirement of 800 kPa, as specified by the Malaysia Public Works Department (MPWD) for stabilised subgrade material in low-volume roads. Consequently, the research involved conducting saturated tests (utilising a conventional oedometer) on soil specimens stabilised with 3%, 6%, 9%, and 12% cement dosages. Meanwhile, only the 6% cement-stabilised soil is used in unsaturated tests with a modified suction-controlled oedometer. The findings of this study highlighted that cement-stabilised laterite soil exhibits significantly lower compressibility in comparison to unstabilised laterite soil. Furthermore, the unsaturated oedometer test demonstrated that soil’s compressibility is notably decreased at higher suction levels (drying conditions) compared to lower suction levels (wetting conditions). In summary, this research contributes valuable insights, emphasising the potential of cement as an effective soil stabiliser by reducing soil settlement and enhancing the durability of Malaysia’s roads in response to climate-related challenges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study explores the influence of silt content on the undrained monotonic behavior of compacted tuff. All undrained triaxial tests were performed at both relative densities Dr = 50 and 90% and compacted with the optimum water content on tuff soil mixed with silt in the range of 0 to 50%. Experimental results show that adding fines content (FC) up to 20% increases the resistance of dense compacted tuff (Dr = 90%) by about 35% for 100 kPa of confining pressure, and the addition of 10% silt fines results in a maximum increase of 15.71% in the medium dense state specimen (Dr = 50%). The deviator stress reveals a decrease by adding more than 20% of silt. Moreover, the soil cohesion was found to attain maximum values with the optimum silt percentage of FC = 10% for medium-density samples (Dr = 50%) and FC = 20% for dense samples (Dr = 90%), respectively. Finally, the study showed a direct correlation between the cohesion of the soil prepared in a dense state (Dr = 90%) and the soil's maximum dry density (MDD). In particular, the maximum dry density corresponds to a higher cohesion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of South China Agricultural University is the property of Gai Kan Bian Wei Hui and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Acta Agriculturae Zhejiangensis is the property of Acta Agriculturae Zhejiangensis Editorial Office and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Excessive use of chemical fertilizers and extensive farming can degrade soil properties so that leading to decline in crop yields. Combining plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) with biochar (BC) may be an alternative way to mitigate this situation. However, the proportion of PGPR and BC at which crop yield can be improved, as well as the improvement effect extent on different eco-geographic region and crops, remain unclear. This research used cabbage [ Brassica pekinensis (Lour.) Rupr.] as the target crop and established as treatment conventional fertilization as a control and a 50% reduction in nitrogen fertilizer at the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau of China, adding BC or PGPR to evaluate the effects of different treatments on cabbage yield and the soil physicochemical properties. Specifically, high-throughput sequencing probed beneficial soil microbial communities and investigated the impact of BC and PGPR on cabbage yield and soil properties. The results revealed that the soil alkaline hydrolyzable nitrogen (AH-N), available phosphorus (AP), and available potassium (AK) contents were higher in the BC application than in control. The BC application or mixed with PGPR significantly increased the soil organic matter (OM) content (P<0.05), with a maximum of 42.59 g/kg. Further, applying BC or PGPR significantly increased the abundance of beneficial soil microorganisms in the whole growth period of cabbage (P<0.05), such as Streptomyces , Lysobacter , and Bacillus. Meanwhile, the co-application of BC and PGPR increased the abundance of Pseudomonas , and also significantly enhanced the Shannon index and Simpson index of bacterial community (P<0.05). Combined or not with PGPR, the BC application significantly enhanced cabbage yield (P<0.05), with the highest yield reached 1.41 fold of the control. Our research indicated that BC is an suitable and promising carrier of PGPR for soil improvement, combining BC and PGPR can effectively ameliorate the diversity of bacterial community even in acid red soil rhizosphere, and the most direct reflection is to improve soil fertility and cabbage yield. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wollastonite-sodium silicate-biochar composite material (Ca-Si-C) was prepared by calcination with wollastonite as the matrix material and adding a certain amount of rape straw and sodium silicate. And then the Ca-Si-C was applied to the improvement of acidic yellow soil. The optimum preparation conditions of the composite materials is as follows∶ the mass ratio of wollastonite, rape rod, sodium silicate is 7∶1∶2, the mixture calcines in 600 ℃and muffle furnace for 1.5 h. The results of XRD, IR and SEM show that Ca-Si-C composite loaded with biochar has more surface pores and contains functional groups such as -OH, C≡C, -COOH and C-O. When 2% Ca-Si-C is applied to yellow soil with pH value 4.7, the initial pH value of the soil increases by 1.4 units compared with the control, and the acid damage capacity increases by 11.5 mmol/kg, the dissolution of sodium and potassium in soil increases, the dissolution of calcium, magnesium and aluminum decreases, the intersection point of soil acid buffer curve and aluminum ion dissolution curve increases from pH value 3.5 to 4.1. The Ca-Si-C has a good application prospect in acid soil improvement.

The utilization of rhizobacteria and cover crop residue for improving plant productivity has been widely applied in agricultural land. However, the effectiveness of those treatments for increasing the growth performance of crops in the post-mining soil is still not evaluated. This study investigated the potential use of rhizobacteria and cover crop residue for improving the growth of Sorghum sp. developed in the post-mining soil in Southeast Sulawesi. An experiment was established at the laboratory level using a completely randomized design with three replicates for every treatment. Four treatments were examined in this trial comprising of CE (control+Eleusine indica), CC (control+Centrosema sp.), BE (Bacillus sp.+Eleusine indica), and BC (Bacillus sp.+Centrosema sp.). Some parameters were observed to evaluate the growth of Sorghum sp., namely diameter, height, total leaves, leaf area, and biomass. The results demonstrated the use of rhizobacteria and cover crop residue potentially improves the growth of Sorghum sp. in the post-mining soil even though there was not a significant difference among treatments statistically. The highest average biomass of Sorghum sp. was noted in BE (3.72±1.06 g), BC (3.20±0.50 g), CC (2.95±1.40 g), CE (2.81±0.33 g). These findings indicated that the treatment of BE was the best way to improve the growth performance of Sorghum sp. at the post-mining. According to the results, this study concluded that rhizobacteria and cover crops play a key role in soil fertility. The utilization of rhizobacteria and cover crop residue has the potential to support the growth of Sorghum sp. developed in the post-nickel mining soil.

• Alkali metal cation content significantly affects the efficiency of CO 2 mineralization. • Preparing building materials was currently investigated with mineralized products. • The CO 2 mineralized products present great potential for ecological restoration. • Environmental risks of mineralized products should be considered in practical application. Carbon dioxide (CO 2) mineralization technology has attracted significant attention, due to the synergistic terminal treatment of CO 2 and industrial waste. The combined CO 2 mineralization process with steel enterprises is a promising route to simultaneously address CO 2 emissions and SS treatment. Recently, a serial of the relevant work focus on a single type of steel slag (SS), and the understanding of CO 2 absorption by mineralization of various SS is very lacking. Meanwhile, it is urgent requirement for systematic summary and discussion on how to make full use of the mineralized products produced after the mineralization of CO 2 in SS. This review aims to investigate the progress of CO 2 mineralization using SS, including the potential applications of mineralization products, as well as the environmental impact and risk assessment of mineralization product applications. Currently, the application of SS mineralization products is primarily focused on their use as construction materials with low economic value. With usage of the mineralization products for ecological restoration (e.g. sandy soil remediation) was treated as an advanced route, but still remaining challenge in functional materials preparation, and its technical economy and possible hazards need to be further explored by long-term experimental tests. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of International Journal of Engineering Transactions C: Aspects is the property of International Journal of Engineering (IJE) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

[Objective] This study systematically summarized and analyzed the current application status, technical characteristics, and environmental benefits of interlayer construction in soil improvement, nutrient cycling, ecological restoration, and crop management, aiming to provide scientific basis and theoretical support for improving modern agriculture's quality, efficiency, and sustainable development. [Methods] The effects and regulation mechanisms of interlayer construction on soil physical structure, soil water-salt-heat, soil nutrient status, soil enzyme activities, soil microbial properties, and crop productivity were comprehensively addressed. [Results] Interlayer construction could improve soil structure, nutrient content, ecosystem service functions, and agricultural production efficiency, but the responses process to interlayer mode selection and farmland management measures have shown differences. [Conclusion] The critical scientific problems and future development directions that need to be solved in the process of agricultural development and ecological governance were provided. It primarily involves exploring the response mechanism and residual effects of water and salt regulation, nutrient release, and habitat succession on the interlayer-soil-microbial-crop system in depth. This also includes developing and integrating cost-effective and practical interlayer laying technology and supporting equipment, as well as screening and optimizing key technologies and operational parameters for interlayer construction suitable for various climate conditions, soil textures, crop layouts, and farmland management methods. Furthermore, it aims to expand and validate the practical application effects and successful pathways of interlayer construction technology. Within the framework of the dual carbon development pattern and multiple strategic overlapping context, the focus and direction of future research will be on innovating and technologically transforming new interlayer materials based on the efficient utilization of solid waste resources.

The sustainable management of aquaculture by-products is crucial for advancing circular economy practices. Mediterranean mussel shell waste, rich in calcium carbonate, presents a sustainable alternative to conventional liming materials, especially for mitigating soil acidification, a very important and common issue that limits crop productivity. This study evaluated the effectiveness of processed mussel shell waste in enhancing soil pH, organic matter, and nutrient availability. A 180-day pot experiment using highly acidic soil (pH < 4.5) collected from a local field was conducted in a Completely Randomized Design. Treatments involved two grain sizes of mussel shell powder (Fine:

Increasing population bring together the need for construction on weak soils. At this point, soil improvement methods gain importance in which the problematic properties of soils aimed to enhance. Among these, jet grout columns are widely applied method and have advantages such as increasing the bearing capacity, reducing settlements and the risk of liquefaction. In this paper, jet grout columns utilized to reduce settlements in weak soil layers and the effect of several parameters on settlement examined. The analyzes, performed with Plaxis 2D and Plaxis 3D. The jet grouts are modeled with both single columns and composite region by changing jet grout length, diameter and spacing. To assess the soft clay effect, columns were socketed into different clay layers. The results proved that improvement with jet grout reduces the settlements, but the change in diameter, length and spacing affects the results at different rates. Through 3D analysis, up to 22% reductions in settlements obtained in case where the longest columns were assigned at the lowest spacings. The most effective factor was found as spacing rather than diameter. The increase in diameter after a certain value led to lower the performance due to the group effect. In case of the composite region, 3D and 2D analyzes converge very much, so it would be practical to perform 2D analysis for the composites. However, the ones modelled with single columns predicted more settlement and remained on the safe side. Additionally, jet grout columns performed better than in weak soils.