Synthesis of a soil conditioner from acrylic waste and its effect on aggregate stability and moisture retention in two soils

A water soluble soil conditioner of the polyacrylic acid type was synthesized from industrial acrylic fiber waste. To study the effect of this polymer on aggregate stability and water retention, a loamy sand soil and a silty clay loam soil were treated with this polymer at two ionic strengths. Water stable aggregates in both soils increased significantly 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 silty clay loam. Ionic strength of the applied solution 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 concentrations but increased at higher concentrations. This trend was reversed in case of the silty clay loam.