Geochemical Properties and Atterberg Limits of Low Saline Sand-Clay Mixtures: Fid-Bau Portal

Geochemical Properties and Atterberg Limits of Low Saline Sand-Clay Mixtures

Ghimire, Uddav / Bheemasetti, Tejo V. / Kozak, Patrick / Kunza, Lisa

Increase in soil salinity is one of the major effects of climate change, which has direct and indirect effects on the chemical, hydraulic, and mechanical behavior of soils. Earlier studies have demonstrated the change in material properties on soils with low-high saline concentrations; however, the transition of low to high threshold values that influence the fundamental properties of the soils is unclear. This study is an attempt to evaluate the threshold of low salt concentrations on changes to soil properties and develop correlations on the geochemical and consistency limits of soil. Characterization tests and geochemical tests including particle size, consistency limits, pH, electrical conductivity (EC), sodium adsorption ratio, and cation exchange capacity were determined. The amount of Ca, Mg, Na, and K present in the soil was evaluated using atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS). Each test was performed on the seven different mixes of varying sodium chloride (NaCl) concentration within a low salinity range to understand its effect on geochemical parameters and consistency limits. Regression analysis was performed on the experimental results which showed a linear relationship between electrical conductivity (EC) and salt concentration whereas liquid limit values were defined by two best linear fit equations for different salt concentrations. A threshold value was defined for the liquid limit above which the effect of salt concentration is limited.