EVALUATION OF GEOTEXTILES APPLICATION IN SANDY SOIL: THEIR EFFECT ON WATER DEPLETION, HYDRAULIC CONDUCTIVITY AND INFILTRATION

Abstract

Geotextile is an expression used to denote the fabrics or textiles used in soils for different purposes. The special properties of the fabrics are the controller of their action and profession. The research aims to study the effect of applying natural and synthetic geotextiles on the subsurface layer of sandy soil. Hydraulic conductivity, water depletion and infiltration (cumulative and rate) were measured for untreated and treated soil samples. The results showed that, compost and the two types of geotextiles appeared an ameliorative effect on the aforementioned parameters, such as slowing down vertical water movement, allowing better horizontal wetting and increasing water maintenance in the soil comparing to control. Both types of geotextiles were better than organic manures (i.e. compost) in many aspects such as their cleanliness, easiness to be packed and transported. These materials normally have not dust, bad smell, herb seeds, nematode or infection with insects or fungi. Natural and synthetic geotextile showed comparative results. The study recommended using polyester geotextile as an amendment for sandy soils because it is effective and environmentally safe, like natural geotextile (cotton), besides that, it is cheaper and more durable compared to cotton.