THE EFFECT OF A SUBSURFACE HYDROPHOBIC LAYER ON WATER AND SALT MOVEMENT

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Abstract
Experiments were conducted on the effect of a hydrophobic layer, a 1:4 mixture of crude oil:soil, on water and salt movement in columns of brine-contaminated and uncontaminated soil. The mixing of oil with soil lowered water retention at low suctions, and increased saturated permeability and water repellency of the mixture. The hydrophobic layer reduced capillary rise, and increased waterholding capacity of the overlying soil. After 6 wk of intermittent leaching the salt content of the soil above and below the hydrophobic layer was lower than in the absence of this layer. The hydrophobic layer prevented resalinization of the overlying soil during a subsequent 4-wk evaporation period. The thickness of the hydrophobic layer (0.5 or 1.0 cm) did not seem important. Key words: Salt movement, hydrophobic layers, redistribution of water and salt

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