Effects of Zeolite on Physical Properties of Different Textured Soils

Despite the use of several organic and inorganic soil conditioners for development of the physical properties of the soil, the investigations on the effects of zeolite on soil physical properties are very scarce. This laboratory study was carried out to determine the effects of zeolite (clinoptilolite) with different rates on soil physical properties in soils with different textures [clay (soil I), loam (soil II), sandy loam (soil III)]. Mean weight diameter of soil I decreased from 9.24 mm to 5.06 mm with zeolite application. These values were obtained as 5.16 mm to 4.14 mm and 2.61 mm to 2.77 mm for soils II and III, respectively. Zeolite applications significantly increased aggregate stability of all the soils in all aggregate size fractions as compared to the controls. Dispersion ratio of soils amended with zeolite showed significant decreases. Whereas the aggregate stability of control was 26.64%, it increased to 43.51% with 5% zeolite application, which is almost 63% greater than that of control. Zeolite applications on all three soils significantly decreased bulk density and increased porosity and hydraulic conductivity. When means were compared it is seen that the control bulk density value (1.16 g cm-3) decreased to 1.10, 1.08 and 1.06 g cm-3 with 1%, 3 and 5 zeolite application, respectively. While the hydraulic conductivity was determined as 21.45 cm h-1 in control, it was determined as 27.4, 30.51 and 38.37 cm h-1 for 1%, 3 and 5 zeolite application rates, respectively. Results have shown that zeolite can be used as an amelioration material to improve soil physical properties