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How does soil stabilization contribute to the overall sustainability of ecosystems and agriculture?

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Soil stabilization

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Soil stabilization plays a crucial role in enhancing the sustainability of ecosystems and agriculture by improving soil properties and mitigating environmental issues. Various methods such as biological modalities with microorganisms like bacteria geniuses, Cyanobacteria, and Lichens , as well as chemical techniques using binders like cement, lime, and pulverized fuel ash (PFA) , contribute to soil stabilization. The structural stability of soils, influenced by cultivation practices and organic carbon content, serves as a key indicator for soil quality improvement or degradation . Additionally, innovative approaches like using waste materials such as plastic and bitumen for soil stabilization have shown promising results in enhancing soil strength and deformation behavior . Overall, soil stabilization techniques help maintain soil integrity, enhance soil quality, and contribute to sustainable agriculture practices, thus supporting ecosystem health and agricultural productivity.

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Open access•Journal Article•DOI Sustainable Agriculture and Soil Conservation Mirko Castellini, Mariangela Diacono, Concetta Eliana Gattullo, Anna Maria Stellacci - Show less +3 more 01 May 2021-Applied Sciences 4 Citations	Soil stabilization in sustainable agriculture enhances soil properties, reduces erosion, and promotes biodiversity, contributing to ecosystem health and agricultural sustainability by preserving soil quality and functionality.
Open access•Journal Article•DOI How Can We Stabilize Soil Using Microbial Communities and Mitigate Desertification? Faten Dhawi 03 Jan 2023-Sustainability 1 Citations	Soil stabilization using microbial communities enhances soil properties, mitigates desertification, and promotes ecosystem sustainability by maintaining soil integrity, diversity, and multifunctionality, crucial for agriculture and ecosystem health.
Open access•Journal Article•DOI Evaluating Land Sustainability Indicators Through Structural Stability Changes In Deforested Land I.P. Handayani, Happy Widiastuti - Show less +1 more 01 Apr 2022-IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science	Soil stabilization, indicated by aggregate stability, enhances soil quality and depth, crucial for sustainable agriculture. It serves as a key indicator for ecosystem health and agricultural sustainability.
Book Chapter•DOI Soil stabilization Nikolaos Koukouzas, Pavlos Tyrologou, Petros Koutsovitis, Dimitris Karapanos, Christos Karkalis - Show less +4 more 01 Jan 2022 18 Citations	Soil stabilization enhances soil properties using binders like PFA, improving construction materials and aiding in remediation of contaminated soils, thus promoting environmental sustainability in ecosystems and agriculture.

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What is the definition of soil stabilization ?5 answersSoil stabilization is a technique crucial in civil engineering to enhance soil properties for increased load-bearing capacity and reduced shear failure risks. It involves modifying soil through mechanical or chemical means. Mechanical stabilization alters soil grading by mixing different soil types to achieve compactness, while chemical stabilization involves adding active materials to modify soil properties. Various materials like Concrete Slush Waste and Polyester Fibre, lime, fly ash, quicklime, and ground slag are commonly used for soil stabilization, improving properties like Optimum Moisture Content, Maximum Dry Density, California Bearing Ratio, and Unconfined Compressive Strength. Stabilizing soil is essential for infrastructure projects, preventing premature distress in pavement structures built on weak subgrades and enhancing the strength of unsuitable soils like silty soil.

What are the carbon footprint problems associated with soil stabilization?4 answersSoil stabilization techniques, such as the use of additives like lime, cement, and ground-granulated blast-furnace slag (GGBS), can have significant carbon footprint problems. The carbon footprint associated with soil stabilization increases with the scale of the stabilization project, resulting in exponentially rising overall emissions. Traditional stabilizers like hydrated lime and Portland cement, as well as non-traditional stabilizers like GGBS, contribute to a reduction in swelling and shear strength loss in expansive soils upon wetting, but the blend of blast furnace slag and hydrated lime has the most favorable carbon footprint. Alkali-activated binders (AABs) offer a low-carbon alternative to lime and cement for soil stabilization, significantly reducing compressibility and permeability of soft soils while forming calcium aluminosilicate hydrate (CASH) gel. AABs can also be used to replace cement in road construction, resulting in substantial CO2 savings and environmental impact reduction.

What are the key practices of sustainable agriculture that can preserve and improve ecosystem services?4 answersSustainable agriculture practices that can preserve and improve ecosystem services include precision farming techniques such as site-specific nutrient management and precision irrigation. Conservation agriculture practices like minimal tillage and cover cropping can enhance soil health, reduce erosion, and promote biodiversity conservation. Agroecological approaches that integrate ecological principles into farming systems, such as organic farming, agroforestry, and integrated pest management, can reduce chemical inputs, preserve biodiversity, and promote natural pest control. Additionally, regenerative agriculture focuses on restoring soil health and the surrounding ecosystem, improving soil fertility, and supporting natural functions like animal habitat, water filtration, and food security. Grazing and silviculture practices, such as extending the grazing period, grazing in semi-natural habitats, and adapting stocking rate to carrying capacity, are also key practices that can deliver bundles of ecosystem services.

What are the mechanisms by which biochar stabilizes soil?5 answersBiochar stabilizes soil through various mechanisms. It acts as a physical barrier against carbon loss and promotes stable soil aggregates and soil microorganisms, enhancing soil carbon sequestration. Additionally, biochar can increase carbon use efficiency (CUE) through microbial metabolism, leading to long-term stabilization of biochar-borne carbon in soil. The cooperative actions of improved soil status and increased microbial CUE contribute to the stabilization of biochar-borne carbon in soil. Biochar also has the ability to adsorb heavy metals and organic contaminants, reducing their bioavailability and enhancing soil remediation. The cation exchange capacity, pH, and ash content of biochar play a role in its ability to stabilize soil contaminants. Furthermore, modifications in biochar can enhance its adsorption efficiency and improve soil restoration and remediation.

Definition of soil slope stability?3 answersSoil slope stability refers to the ability of a slope to resist failure and movement under normal conditions. It is an important problem in civil engineering, water conservancy, highway construction, and railway construction. Slope stability can be analyzed using various methods, such as the factor of safety determination from charts when the soil is uniform and a circular failure surface is assumed. The water stress along the bottom of the failure surface and the shear strength of the soil are significant factors in slope stability analysis. Anisotropy, which refers to the directional arrangement of soil particles, can also influence slope stability. Ignoring strength anisotropy can lead to overestimation of slope stability, with safety factors being overestimated by up to 32.9%. The finite element method can be used to analyze slope stability, providing insight into the influence of anisotropy on slope stability.

Can you give me studies about the physical properties of soil and its stabilization?5 answersSoil stabilization is a process that aims to improve the physical properties of soil, such as shear strength and load-bearing capacity. Several studies have been conducted on the topic. A study by Akinbuluma and Kennedy investigated the changes in soil properties during soil stabilization using bagasse ash. Another study by Ahmed, Wadhonkar, and Ravi proposed the use of waste materials like ceramic powder and marble powder for soil stabilization. Koukouzas, Tyrologou, Koutsovitis, Karapanos, and Karkalis conducted a critical review study on the performance of pulverized fuel ash as a stabilization agent. Lokesh, Suresh, and Thangamani assessed the effect of adding banana leaf ash to red soil for stabilization. Lastly, Babitharani, Krishnavardan, Sainath, and Islam explored the use of plastic waste as a soil stabilizer for black cotton soils. These studies provide valuable insights into the physical properties of soil and various methods of soil stabilization.

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