The analysis of shrinkage-swelling behaviour of peat-moorsh soil aggregates during drying-wetting cycles
Department of Environmental Improvement, Warsaw University of Life Sciences(SGGW), ul. Nowoursynowska 159, 02-776 Warsaw, Poland;e-mail:ryszard_oleszczuk@sggw.pl
Abstract:
The aim of this study was to investigate the soil volume changes for moorsh, willow and moss peat layers during drying-wetting cycles. The measurements of soil volume changes were made using the ‘saran resin’ method. The reversible and irreversible shrinkage coefficient values for each layer were calculated. The relationships between soil moisture contents before and after rewetting were estimated for analysed soil aggregates. The performed research showed that the soil volume changes were relatively small for moorsh and the highest for willow and moss peat. After a few drying-wetting cycles, the moorsh soil aggregates also retained the highest amount of water in comparison with willow and moss peat.
Key words:
drying, peat-moorsh soil, rewetting, shrinkage, swelling