SYNTHESIS OF A SOIL CONDITIONER FROM ACRYLIC WASTE AND ITS EFFECT ON AGGREGATE STABILITY AND MOISTURE RETENTION IN 2 SOILS

A water soluble soil conditioner of the polyacrylic acid type was synt hesized from industrial acrylic fiber waste. To study the effect of th is polymer on aggregate stability and water retention, a loamy sand so il and a silty clay loam soil were treated with this polymer at two io nic strengths. Water stable aggregates in both soils increased signifi cantly at a polymer concentration of 0.03%. A maximum increase of more than 90% was achieved at 0.1% polymer in the loamy sand and at 0.25-0 .5% polymer in the silly clay loam. Ionic strength of the applied solu tion was a significant factor in the silty clay loam only. The maximum water storage capacity of the loamy sand increased by 41%. Available water content of the loamy sand decreased at lower polymer concentrati ons but increased at higher concentrations. This trend was reversed in case of the silly clay loam.