Influence of electro-osmosis on physicochemical parameters and microstructure of clay soils

Abstract

The change in properties and structure of clay soils due to electro-osmosis was studied. These alterations were exemplified by mantle loam and kaolin. It is shown that electro-osmotic treatment of the soils on the open scheme resulted in the transformations in their moisture content, total and dry density, salinity, pH, and the parameters of their particles. The most notable changes occurred within the diffuse double layers (DDLs) of soil particles such as their recharge in the anodic zone. The transformations of the loam particles DDLs resulted in their aggregation in the cathodic and anodic zones. Also, electro-osmotic flow caused the redistribution of pore sizes within the soils between the electrodes. In the case of the kaolin, electro-osmosis resulted in the formation of the anisotropic, flow-oriented structure. The change in the types of soil particles contacts formed was observed during electro-osmosis as well. The obtained data can be used to study the behavior of soil during electro-osmosis as a function of the soil type.

Keywords:

• Electro-osmosis
• electrokinetic potential
• clay soil
• loam
• kaolin
• point of zero charge
• microstructure of soil
• diffuse double layer

Acknowledgments

The work was carried out using scientific equipment acquired with the support of ‘Program of the Development of Lomonosov Moscow State University.’ Authors also express sincere gratitude to their colleagues from the Lab of Soil Science and Technical Melioration of Soils of Lomonosov Moscow State University. The authors would like to thank especially Dr. M.S. Chernov and Prof. V.N. Sokolov for the provided opportunity to work on the Horiba SZ-100.