TY - JOUR
T1 - The effects of ethylene oxide-propylene oxide-ethylene oxide block copolymers on the physical properties of soils
AU - Hagenhoff, Kerstin
AU - Dong, Jingfeng
AU - Chowdhry, Babur
AU - Torres, Luis
AU - Leharne, Stephen
PY - 2012
Y1 - 2012
N2 - The impact of a series ethylene oxide-propylene oxide block copolymers upon the physical properties of a sandy soil has been investigated. Specifically the impact upon the saturated hydraulic conductivity, water retention and water imbibition was examined. It was shown that soils exposed to aqueous solutions containing these block copolymers have reduced hydraulic conductivities. It was concluded that this could be due to the dispersion of fine grained materials or through changes in pore size brought about by swelling. Imbibition into soils that had been exposed to the block copolymers was enhanced. However the effect of the block copolymers upon water retention was complex. These block copolymers are surface active and as such will reduce surface tension to some extent or another. This should result in reduced water retention. It was observed that some of the block copolymers investigated did lead to reduced water retention. However some actually increased water retention. It is proposed that this was due to the effect that the block copolymers have upon wetting.
AB - The impact of a series ethylene oxide-propylene oxide block copolymers upon the physical properties of a sandy soil has been investigated. Specifically the impact upon the saturated hydraulic conductivity, water retention and water imbibition was examined. It was shown that soils exposed to aqueous solutions containing these block copolymers have reduced hydraulic conductivities. It was concluded that this could be due to the dispersion of fine grained materials or through changes in pore size brought about by swelling. Imbibition into soils that had been exposed to the block copolymers was enhanced. However the effect of the block copolymers upon water retention was complex. These block copolymers are surface active and as such will reduce surface tension to some extent or another. This should result in reduced water retention. It was observed that some of the block copolymers investigated did lead to reduced water retention. However some actually increased water retention. It is proposed that this was due to the effect that the block copolymers have upon wetting.
KW - Ethylene oxide propylene oxide block copolymers
KW - Hydraulic conductivity
KW - Soil properties
KW - Water retention and inhibition
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84857686802&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.pce.2011.04.005
DO - 10.1016/j.pce.2011.04.005
M3 - Artículo
SN - 1474-7065
VL - 37-39
SP - 18
EP - 25
JO - Physics and Chemistry of the Earth
JF - Physics and Chemistry of the Earth
ER -