Recent studies suggest that surfactants and lipids present in soil play an important role in the self-assembly of organic matter in soils. This study analyzes the effect those surfactant-lipid composites have on the water repellency of soils. The surfactant-lipid content of soils was quantified using an organic solvent extraction. The water repellency of soil samples was measured by water drop penetration time (WDPT) and by ethanol droplet test (MED). The water repellency was measured on untreated soil samples as well as on soil samples subjected to different drying conditions. The variation of water repellency of soils with the composite content is discussed and compared to the effect these composites have on other properties of soil.

Effect of soil surfactant-lipid composites on the water repellency of soils

251st National Meeting (2016)

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