Influence of copolymers of acrylamide and acrylic acid on the structure and water strength of soil

Abstract

In this study, the Influence of three different hydrolyzed forms of acrylamide and acrylic acid copolymers synthesized at a 5:1 monomer ratio on soil structure were studied. These copolymers were tested on soils of the Karauzyak and Amudara regions of the Republic of Karakalpakstan, which differ in chemical and mineralogical composition and degree of contamination. Commercial water-soluble polymers PAA GS Flokulyant and its hydrolyzed form were used as controls. The main focus of the study was to study the effect of these copolymers on the soil structural coefficient, which is an indicator of the aggregate state of the soil, and on the change in the structural composition of the surface layer of the soil after treatment with polymer solutions. The results showed that the introduction of polymers significantly improves the structural condition of the soil, especially when using hydrolyzed forms of copolymers, which is confirmed by an increase in the structural coefficient and the proportion of mesoaggregates. It was also found that an increase in the concentration of polymer solutions improves the structural characteristics of the soil, this was especially noticeable for potash forms of copolymers, which indicates the high effectiveness of these additives in strengthening the soil structure and improving their agronomic value. In addition, the study showed that soil treatment with polyelectrolytes increases its water retention capacity, which is especially important in conditions of limited water resources.