-------
xllOO
SILT
CLAY
LOAM \
\/
SANDY
CLAY
LOAM
Selected
Samples
+ 0"-8"
a 8"-16"
o |6"-24"
* 24"-32"
Lonse
I. Upper Slope
2. Creekbed
3. Pinewoods
4. 03A
5. 3C
60 40 20
Percent Sand
Fig. 4 - USDA soil texture triangle for Lanse soil samples
0 B
-------
20
A 100
-I- 0" - 8"
a 8" - 16
o 16"-24"
A 24"-32"
Koto
I. KA
2. KB
3. KC
SILTY /
CLAY
LOAM
II
80
60 40
Percent Sand
20
Fig. 5 - USDA soil texture triangle for Kato soil samples
-------
TABLE IV
Physical Properties of Soils at the
Lanse and Kato Sites
Depth Increment (inches): 2-4 4-8
Soil 2C cored January 29, 1969 (Lanse)
7« Moisture
Sample volume, cc.
Dried wt., g.
Bulk density D^, g/cc
Total porosity, ST = 100
Pp = 2.65 g/cc
Depth Increment (inches):
Soil KA cored July 8, 1969 (Kato)
% Moisture
Sample volume, cc
Dried wt., g.
Bulk density, g/cc
Total porosity
Soil KB cored July 8, 1969 (Kato)
7. Moisture
Sample volume, cc
Dried wt., g.
Bulk density, g./cc.
Total porosity
Soil KG cored July 8, 1969 (Kato)
7» Moisture
Sample volume, cc.
Dried wt., g.
Bulk density, g./cc.
Total porosity
Depth Increment (inches)
Soil 3D cored November 6, 1969 (L
7. Moisture
Sample volume, cc.
Dried wt., g.
Bulk density, g./cc.
Total porosity
8-12
12-16
nse)
32.3
64.33
71.0
1.10
58.5
0-8
21.6
411.6
334.6
0.812
69.3
22.2
411.6
323.8
0.785
70.4
23.3
411.6
286.5
0.698
73.7
0-4
nse)
29.8
205.8
188.2
0.914
65.5
24.5
205.9
261.9
1.27
52.0
8-16
14.0
411.6
603.3
1.46
44.9
14.3
411.6
525.8
1.28
51.7
16.3
411.6
558.9
1.36
48.3
4-8
26.1
205.8
212.7
1.03
61.0
20.8
205.9
256.2
1.24
53.2
16-24
15.5
411.6
596.6
1.45
45.3
11.5
411.6
59.09
1.44
45.6
13.5
411.6
517.0
1.26
52.5
8-12
23.6
205.8
245.8
1.19
55.1
9.3
205.9
323,
1
40
5
57
7
24-32
12.5
411.6
550.0
1.34
49.5
13.5
411.6
677.6
1.64
38.0
15.7
411.6
609.5
1.48
44.1
12-16
23.7
205.8
310.4
1.51
43.0
21
-------
Under saturated conditions, soil water is under no tension but is
subject to gravitational forces only. Saturated flow of water in soil
is therefore normally downward, unless an impervious lower layer
induces lateral flow. This downward gravitational force will carry
latex down to the depth of small capillaries where particle blockage
can occur.
Elemental analysis of Lanse soil (Table V) combined with crystal-
lographic examination revealed that the major component of < 2 ram
fraction of the soil is quartz. The relatively high aluminum and iron
concentration indicates the presence of layered hydrated clays.
TABLE V
Mineral Analysis of Upper Slope Composite Soil Samples*
at Lanse Site
Depth Increment (inches): 0-8 8-16 16-24
A12°3
Fe203
Mn02
MgO
GaO
Ti02
Na20
K20
CuO
NiO
CoO
Ignition Loss at 900°C - %
'•Analyzed at Penn. State University Minerals Composition
Laboratories except for Cu, Ni, and Co.
Composition (%")
79.5
10.3
6.25
0.09
0.35
0.17
0.82
0.41
1.60
0.003
0.004
0.008
6.96
75.5
13.8
6.16
0.05
0.48
0.10
0.83
0.38
2.09
0.003
0.004
0.002
6.25
75.5
14.8
5.77
0.07
0.60
0.09
0.86
0.38
2.18
0.005
0.006
0.003
5.90
22
-------
Dr. Frank Caruccio, our consultant on this project, examined soil
samples at sites 03A (Lanse) and KA (Kato) at four depth increments
using an optical microscope with polarized light to differentiate
between quartz clay and hydrated layered silicate clays. Lanse 03A
soil was found to contain a relatively high amount of clay resembling
montmorillonite in structure whereas the Kato KA soil has less
hydrated clay of different shape that suggests a micaceous structure.
The quartz clay particles were stained with iron compounds. X-ray
diffraction of clay separated from 03A soil at 24-32 in. depth con-
firmed the presence of montmorillonite. Cation exchange capacity (CEC)
values ranging from 6 to 13 meq/100 g of soil (Table VI) also prove
the presence of reactive minerals. Chemically active mineral groups
in the soil interact with latex and other additives. Physical inter-
action with sealant particles can occur by adsorption and surface
effects.
It is common among soils developed in the temperate zones to have a
lower pH at a two or three foot depth and it was hoped to make use of
this difference to effect the coagulation of latex, since latex
stability is very dependent on pH. We looked for this effect in the
soil of the Lanse and Kato areas but as can be seen in Table VI the
pH variation with depth is very small. At sites KB and KG, areas
where rotting oak leaves cover the ground, the pH is generally lower.
The Atterberg limits measure the consistency of the soil containing
enough water to make a smooth paste. The liquid limit (L.L.) or upper
plastic limit is the percent moisture at which soil becomes semi-fluid.
The plastic limit (P.L.) is the percent moisture at which the soil
crumbles when it is rolled to a 1/8 inch thick thread. The plastic
index (P.I.) is the difference between the liquid and plastic limits.
All three are directly related to the amount of clay in the soil.
Because we added the soil sealant by an irrigation method, the water
holding capacity is of interest. Except for the creekbed soil, which
is relatively low in clay, all the samples have the desirable positive
plastic index.
Lanse Site
The accompanying topographic map (Figure 1) shows the experimental test
area at Lanse, Pennsylvania. Brown's Run is a dry creekbed during the
summer but a flowing stream in the winter and spring. The area has
four distinct topographic features that account for the variability in
soil properties. Along part of the creekbed is a boggy area at flood-
plain level, there are slightly sloping upper plain areas on each side
of the stream, there is a stand of pine trees at the northwest corner
of the property, and spoil banks from previous strip mining operations
both to the northeast and northwest (not shown on map).
From December to June, when the stream was flowing (or frozen), there
was a perched water table which we measured occasionally (see Table VII)
23
-------
TABLE VI
Chemical Properties and Atterberg Limits of
Soils at Lanse and Kato Sites
Depth Increment (inches) 0-8 8-16 16-24 24-32
pH
Upper slope composite (J.anse)
Pinewoods composite (Lanse)
Creekbed composite (Lanse)
03A (Lanse)
3C (Lanse)
KA (Kato)
KB (Kato)
KC (Kato)
Cation Exchange Capacity (meq/100 g)
03 A
KA
KB
Atterberg Limits (7, moisture)
Upper slope composite L.L.*
P.L.*
P.I.*
Pinewoods composite L.L.
P.L.
P.I.
L.L.
P.L.
P.I.
L.L.
Creekbed composite
3C
03A
KA
KB
KC
I.
P.L
P.I
L.L
P.L
P
L.L.
P.L.
P.I.
L.L.
P.L.
P.I.
L.L.
P.L.
P.I.
5
5
5
5
6
6
4
5
10
9
7
30
26
4
27
26
1
29
26
3
31
26
5
30
26
4
30
25
5
-
-
-
33
31
2
.9
.5
.7
.6
.2
.4
.8
.2
.4
.9
.8
5
5
6
5
6
6
4
4
7
6
5
27
22
5
23
20
3
22
21
1
31
25
6
26
20
6
28
21
7
22
18
4
29
23
6
.7
.6
.0
.5
.3
.1
.8
.8
.0
.9
.5
5
5
5
5
6
5
4
4
9
6
4
28
22
6
23
18
5
19
20
-1
35
29
6
26
21
5
31
21
10
22
18
4
30
23
7
.3
.5
.8
.3
.2
.6
.9
.8
.9
.3
.6
5.8
5.5
6.0
5.9
5.0
4.9
7.4
11.6
12.8
26
21
5
22
18
4
18
.19
-1
35
26
9
27
21
6
33
22
11
26
18
8
35
24
11
* L.L. = liquid limit; P.L. = plastic limit; P.I. - plasticity index.
24
-------
TABLE VII
Water Tables and Elevations at Lanse Site
Hole Elevation
Position (ft)
1A
IB
2A
2B
2G
3A
3B
3G
4B
4C(N)
4C(S)
5C
Creekbed S.
Creekbed N.
03A
1565
1562
1570
1565
1563
1571
1568
1570
1572
1570
1570
1572
1558
1570
1574
12/3/68
-
2
-
17
5
23
11.5
17
11
-
-
-
•»
12/11/68
-
-
21
16.5
26
21
19.5
19
29
18.5
20
—
4/7/69
3
0
5
13
4.5
20
12
15
9
25
13
-
4/11/69 5/2/69
3
2
8
17
8.5 14
22.5
17
18 20
11.5 17
28 28.5
14.5 19
17.5 21
The relative water table depth and position elevations show that the
water flows laterally through the soil toward the stream bed. The data
from piezometer pipes at site 4B confirms that the perched water table
is caused by a relatively impermeable layer between three and five feet
from the surface because, while the perched water table is evident in
uncast holes, the hydraulic head is much higher at three feet depth
than at five feet (Table VIII).
We had expected a soil of moderate permeability from the soil texture,
but the presence of a perched water table indicated low permeability,
so we asked Mr. William L. Braker, soil scientist from the USDA, Soil
Conservation Service, Clearfield Office, to examine and define the
soil for us. His report (condensed) with definitions follows:
"A deep soil (which all of these are), is one in which depth to
hard bedrock is greater than forty inches. Soil permeability
rates as defined by USDA, Soil Conservation Service, are as
25
-------
TABLE VIII
Hydraulic Head in Piezometer Pipes at Lanse Site
Position 4B
Position 4CN
Depth:
Date
12/11/68
1/29/69
2/27/69
A/11/69
5/5/69
5/23/69
6/12/69
7/7/69
1/29/70
2/12/70
2/27/70
3/18/70
3/30/70
4/20/70
5/12/70
6/1/70
6/12/70
6/20/70
6/25/70
(placed 4/11/69)
5/5/69
5/21/69
6/12/69
1/29/70
2/27/70
3/18/70
3/31/70
4/30/70
5/12/70
6/12/70
1 ft
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
3.5
0
0
0
2.5
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
24
19
16
23
16
11
2
0
31
27
26
23.
30
26
10,
22
1,
8.
15
5 ft.
0
0
5
2.5
3
3
4
2.5
4
7
4.5
4
4.5
3.5
4
5.5
6
5.5
5
.5
.75
0
2.5
5
2
4
2
0
0
0
.25
0
0.5
5.5
5
6
3.5
2
3
26
-------
follows:
Descriptive Term Range in Inches/Hour Feet/Year
Slow less than 0.2 < 146
Moderately slow 0.2 - 0.63 146 - 460
Moderate 0.63- 2.0 460 - 1460
Moderately rapid 2.0 - 6.3 1460 - 4600
Rapid more than 6.3 > 4600
"The primary reason for the slow and moderately slow permeabil-
ties are the fragipans in the subsoils of the Ernest and Brink-
erton soils; and is due to the position in the landscape of the
Atkins soil. Ernest is the most extensive soil on this plot.
The Atkins is the floodplain soil along the creek. Brinkerton
is the wetter upland soil on the southwest side of the plot.
"Ernest are deep, moderately well to somewhat poorly drained
soils of the uplands. They have developed in loamy, colluvial
material derived from shale and sandstone bedrock. These
nearly level to moderately steep soils have a moderately slowly
permeable fragipan subsoil. The water table normally rises to
within 12 and 18 inches of the surface during wet periods of
the year.
"Atkins are deep, poorly and somevrtiat poorly drained flood
plain soils. They have developed in loamy alluvial sediments
eroded from higher residual soils derived from gray and brown
shale and sandstone. These nearly level soils have a moder-
ately slowly permeable subsoil. The water table normally
rises to the surface during much of the year. Most use
problems are related to flooding, the high water table, and
to the moderately slowly permeable subsoil.
"Fragipan is a subsurface soil structure that seems to be
cemented when dry, but is fragile when moist, has a relatively
high bulk density and is slowly or very slowly permeable to
water. Fragipans may be a few inches to several feet thick."
The Brinkerton soil does not concern the problem because we were unable
to obtain an easement for the property in the southwest corner of the
plot. The two plots to which latex was applied are Atkins soils. The
spoil bank is not a soil in the real sense of the term.
Freezing and thawing changes the structure of soil because of the expan-
sion of ice lenses in the soil . To determine how deeply the ground
freezes on the site in the winter, resistance thermometers were placed
at 2-inch and 1, 2, 3, and 4 foot depths at site 4B at Lanse and soil
27
-------
temperatures were measured one or two times a week (see Figure 6). At
no time did the soil temperature go below 32°F at the one-foot depth.
From periodic observations in the field the frost line was determined
to be about eight to ten inches deep. The saturated condition of the
soil and presence of a water table probably limited the frost-line
depth. The implication is that the soil structure is affected only to
a depth of 8 to 10 inches. The mean monthly air temperature is
included for comparison with the soil temperatures.
A rain gage was obtained from and set up by the Pennsylvania Depart-
ment of Forests and Waters. Data in Table IX compares rainfall rates
at Lanse, Clarence (which is near the Kato site), and Philipsburg
FAA-AP. The totals show the variability of rainfall within a thirty-
mile span.
Kato Site
We began to investigate the Kato site in June, 1969. The forested
mountain top of about 90 acres, of which 70-75 acres are State Forest
Land, overlies the abandoned Kato deep mine. Since it is surrounded
by an unrestored high wall and spoil banks, vehicular access to the
area is available at only one place from the southeast corner. The
only water close to the site is acid mine water from drainage holes
at the base of the mountain.
Piezometer pipes were placed at one, three, and five foot depths about
three hundred feet from the high walls at the south (KA), northeast
(KB), and northwest (ICC) border of the State Forest land. No water
was found in these pipes. Water table measurements were in uncased
holes made when coring soil samples contained water.
28
-------
82
78
74
70
66
62
58
54
50
46
42
38
34
30
26
24.2
Monthly Mean Air Temp. °F
24.3\ 3O.O\46.8 . 5^/ i 5^.^ , 6^7 , 65.3 , Sfitf , 472
Dec. Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May June July Aug. Sept. Oct. Nov. Dec.
1968 1969
Fig. 6 - Soil temperature at Lanse, Pa. at five depths
-------
TABLE IX
Rainfall Data from November 1968 to October 1970
Philipsburg, Pa .
November 1968
December
January 1969
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
Annual Total (inches)
November
December
January 1970
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
Annual Total
4.01
2.93
1.47
0.67
1.31
3.81
3.91
5.92
6.26
3.14
1.82
2.36
37.61
4.38
3.82
1.06
3.56
2.39
4.36
3.30
5.02
6.17
6.17
2.40
4.38
45.73
Clarence. Pa
4.29
3.32
1.33
0.78
1.23
2.35
2.59
4.55
5.23
3.92
1.34
2.80
33.73
3.59
6.44
1.09
3.61
2.66
4.08
4.07
3.27
6.78
6.78
1.67
3.95
44.14
1 9
Lanse, Pa.''
1.35
0.30
1.45
2.85
2.10
2.90
4.70
2.20
2.35
1.35
21.55
(10 months)
2.80
2.70
2.15
1.30
2.40
3.45
2.95
2.45
5.15
5.15
1.45
4.20
35.10
(1) Data from U.S. Dept. of Commerce, ESSA, Environmental Data Service,
(2) Data obtained from raingauge on the site.
30
-------
SECTION VI
EXPERIMENTAL
LABORATORY PROCEDURES
Reconstructed Soil Samples
Most laboratory sealant studies were carried out in 2.0 inch I.D.
Plexiglas tubes of 9.0 inches height containing 4.0 to 4.5 inches
reconstructed soil from an 0-8 or 8-16 inch soil horizon at the
Lanse site. (When soil was used from the Kato site, the top soil
horizon was approximately 0-4 inches. The 4-8 inch horizon was some-
what comparable to the Lanse 8-16 inch horizon.) A 20 mesh Saran or
steel screen was placed over the rubber stopper with a bottom drain to
a 100 ml measuring cylinder. In some earlier experiments a 1/2 inch
bed of 1/4 inch pea-gravel was then added, but in later experiments
this was eliminated as it showed no particular utility. Field soil
samples collected by a shovel were stored in sealed containers and
sieved through a 4 mesh screen just before use. (Moisture content
was typically about 25% for A horizon soil and about 20% for B horizon
soil.) The sieved soil minus roots was then added in increments of
about 1 1/4 inches. Compaction was effected by dropping a weighted
ramrod (1-7/8 inches O.D.) five times from a height of two inches. If
about twenty tamps were used or if the soil columns were rapped vigor-
ously while water-logged, compaction was high with no detectable per-
colation. Freezing such samples would then usually cause very slow
percolation, e.g. 1-2 ml/day.
Using this as a standard procedure, percolation flows were usually
stablized after two to three days to rates of about 100 to 200 ml/hour.
Percolate was recycled carefully to minimize disturbance of the soil
surface.
When percolation flows were about 100 to 200 ml/hour, various additives
(sealants) were introduced to the moist column in two to three incre-
ments to maintain a slight head. Additive concentrations were usually
2-1/2% with some at 5% in earlier experiments. Typical use of 40 ml
of 2-1/2% additive corresponds to 4400 Ibs/acre.
When no more additive was present as supernatent liquid, water washes
of about 15 ml were then used several times followed by special addi-
tives as needed. More water washes were then used to maintain a head
of about 1/2 inch. Percolate was collected in 100 ml cylinders to
measure percolation rates in ml/hr. Turbid percolate was evaporated
to determine amount of eluted latex. Percolate was sometimes checked
for pH by Pan-pH Indicator Paper9»^° reading in 0.5 units. Surface
tension measurements were sometimes made by a DuNouy tensiometer10 in
experiments using a surfactant for pretreatment.
31
-------
Clear percolate wash liquid from latex applications was usually
recycled carefully but washes of soluble sealants were discarded, using
fresh tap-water as make-up.
Since the hydrostatic head above the soil was usually about 1/2 inch
average, Darcy values (K) were calculated by the equation
h A
where K = hydraulic conductivity (ft/day)
L = length of column (ft)
h = effective head (ft) = L + y^
Q = ft /day effluent
A = cross-sectional area
— = hydraulic gradient
LI
Percolation flows of 1.00 ml/hour thus correspond to a Darcy value of
0.0346 ft/day or 12.6 ft/year where L = 4 inches and h = 4.5 inches.
(Darcy values in this report have been converted to feet/year to avoid
fractional numbers.)
Reduction of percolation is frequently used as a measure of sealant
efficiency in this report and is defined by the equation
% Reduction = a ~ b x 100
a
where a = ml/hour before use of sealant
b = ml/hour after use of sealant
"Undisturbed" Soil Samples
Although most of the laboratory work with sealants was done with recon-
structed soil samples, some'undisturbed"field cores were also tested
for percolation characteristics before and after use of additives (See
Table X).
Containment of the soil samples for this work was accomplished by one
of two procedures: 1) coating with a cold-molding polysulfide-'-^' H
and 2) coating with a polyolefin shrink tubing* ' .
32
-------
TABLE X
Addition of Sealants to "Undisturbed" Soil in Shrink Tubing
Sll S12 S14 S3 S4 S8 S9
Soil Source
Depth (in.)
Sealant
Ib/acre
hr to add
Surface Film
KB
0-8
NH,
4000
29
No
KB
8-16
VA
2000
29
Yes
KA
8-16
NH4
4000
29
No
2D
0-8
VA
750
29
Some
2D
8-16
VA
1150
29
Yes
4B
8-16
NH4
2700
29
No
3A
0-8
3471
6200
-
Low
Darcy Permeability (Ft/Yr)
Start
6/19-6/26/68
6/26-7/3
Dried out for
one month
8/2-8/9
8/9-8/14
8/14-8/27
8/27-9/5
9/5-9/15
9/15-9/20
Ave.
Efficiency
31.
0.
0.
2
73
317
2.9
0.73
2.6
15.
0.
*
8
73
98
0.73
.73
.73
2.
,
»
2
73
73
2.
•
f
6
37
73
12.
8-3.7
-
-
1.3
3.5
2.4
3.3
2.9
2.7
91
2.1
2.1
1.5
2.0
2.0
2.9
2.1
28
8.7*
1.8
1.8
1.5
.74
.55
1.3
92
0.41
.96
.92
.96
Low
.30
.66
.84
.34
.96
.67
.63
71
,73
.0
,81
.89
.91
.44
.80
70
.34
.60
.74
.93
1.1
.64
.72
70
* S14 Application of 10,000 Ib/acre Na_C03 as 5% solution
VA = Borden vinyl acetate #2140
NH^ = Gale on NH3; applied as 2% NH4OH
S9 = Naugatuck SBR J3471 to thin-walled sampling
tube for one month before transfer
Cores of 6.7 inches height; no eluted latex
33
-------
Perma-Flex CMC Blak-Tufy (a polysulfide) gave excellent adherence to
the soil with no wall effects. The three components were mixed as
directed and a coating brushed on the vertical soil core resting on a
1/2 inch bed of pea-gravel above a rubber stopper with a hole for a
drain. (Modeling clay was used as a seal around the gravel and masking
tape was used to extend the core about 3/4 inch.) The soil column was
placed in a circular container and then liquid mix was added to the
height of masking tape. Setting occurred in about one hour. The
following day the firm soil column was used for percolation studies with
a head of about 1/2 inch water.
The shrink tubing procedure was recently described by Bondurant . The
"undisturbed"soil core was placed inside the tubing above a 1/2 inch bed
of pea gravel supported by a one-hole rubber stopper. Shrinkage was
effected by a heat gun. No appreciable wall effects were evident when
tested with fluorescent additives. Shrink tubing was not useful with
reconstructed soil samples.
Soil Characterization
'Soil characteristics were determined by standard methods wherever
applicable. Samples were prepared according to ASTM Method D421-58
Particle size distribution was determined by the method for "Grain
Size Analysis of Soils", D422-6316 using Apparatus A. Soil particle
specific gravity was determined by method D854-58 . Oven dry mois-
ture content was measured according to procedure D2216-63T . Liquid
and plastic limits were determined by methods D423-61 * and D424-5920
respectively. The cation exchange capacity (CEC) was analyzed by the
ammonium acetate method described by Bear . Mr. Norman Suhr, assis-
tant director of the Mineral Constitution Laboratories at Pennsylvania
State University, analyzed heavy metals content of three soil samples
by atomic absorption, and sodium and potassium by flame photometry.
Our analytical laboratory made elemental analyses by means of emission
spectroscopy. The pH was measured on soil samples that were slurried
with an equal weight of distilled water.
FIELD PROCEDURE
Measuring the effectiveness of latex as a soil sealant when applied to
test plots in the field was not straightforward. In the present work,
since the test area was small compared to the size of the underground
mine, the quantity and quality^of the mine effluent could not be
expected to change appreciably. Thus our method of estimating sealing
effectiveness did not involve monitoring of mine effluent, but con-
sisted of measuring soil moisture under the treated area at depths to
five feet and comparing the data to those from an adjacent (untreated)
area. If the seal was effective, moisture levels would be lower under-
.neath the treated area, although it was recognized that lateral move-
ment of ground water could have an effect on the results.
34
-------
SECTION VII
RESULTS OF LABORATORY PERMEABILITY AND ELUTION STUDIES
Sealants for A Horizon Soil
The twelve latexes listed in Table XI penetrated A horizon soil as
shown by elution through a laboratory soil column and gave good
sealing efficiency. See details in Table XII. High elution through
laboratory soil columns of 4 to 6 inches depth is desirable because
it predicts penetration of latex to a greater depth in the field.
No definite correlation was evident between penetrating ability and
particle size, surface tension, or pH. Most of the materials, however,
were characterized by low surface tensions in the 36 to 53 dynes/cm
range while particle sizes were usually in the intermediate range of
about 1500 to 2500 L
Naugatex J-3471 (a highly crosslinked styrene-butadiene copolymer) was
the most promising of this group for stability, penetrating ability,
and sealant efficiency. It also showed utility with JB profile soil.
Many of the other latexes tested in this investigation showed good
sealing efficiency but were judged unsatisfactory because they gave
low penetration or formed surface films with A horizon top soil. In
general, latexes containing cationic surfactants were not satisfactory
because they formed a heavy surface film. This is due to neutraliza-
tion of the positive latex charge by the negatively charged soil par-
ticles.
Sealants for B Horizon Soil
With reconstructed soil columns, only a few materials gave appreciable
penetration of B horizon soil. Most of the sealant is believed dis-
tributed through the column with only a fraction appearing as free
latex. Part of the sealant was sometimes evident as a surface film,
presumably resulting from agglomeration of latex particles. Latexes
showing penetrating and sealing activity were: Goodrich 2679X,
Borden 2140, Borden 2134, Paisley 71-9052-0, Naugatuck 3471 and
Naugatuck R-8438-20C. See Table XIII for further details.
Latex Stability
Laboratory soil column experiments demonstrated the need for greater
penetration of latex into the soil. Indeed if the chemical stability
of a latex is defensive, surface films result.
Chemical stability can be determined in one of two ways by adding a
coagulating salt, such as calcium chloride or aluminum sulfate. One
way is to measure how much salt is needed to form a bulk precipitate;
35
-------
TABLE XI
Penetrating Sealants for A Horizon Soil
Latex Properties
Supplier
Naugatuck
Dow
Borden
Code
J1896
J1925
J2752
J3471
870
874
2134
2140
2153
2158
2635
Type
SBR-mod .
SBR -mod .
SBR-mod.
SBR
PVC
PVC-Vinylidene
Chloride
Vinyl Acetate (VA)
VA copolymer
Vinyl Acrylic
Vinyl Acetate
PVC Copolymer +
%
Latex
E luted
29
17
27
74
50
50
18
32
47
27
43
Particle Surface
Size Tension
A Dvne/cm.
1500
1400
2000
2400
2000
2000-3000
4000
53
64
37
36
36
36
42
40
42
44
37
- _EM_
10.6
9.6
8.9
9.8
8.
8.
3.5
7.2
5.
4-6
7.
Sealing
Efficiency
m
89
81
79
80
78
54
86
94
95
94
88
plasticizer
Goodrich
2679x6
Acrylic
33
45
8.8
79
-------
TABLE XII
Penetrating Sealants for A Horizon Soil
Percolation
Sealant
Latexes
Naugatuck
OJ
Incremental Additions
Naugatuck
Naugatuck
+ TEPA Coagulant
Dow
Dow
Borden
Goodrich
Acrylamide + Aram, persulfate
R - re-used column.
1896
1925
1925
2752
2752
2768
2768
3471
3471
3471
3471
3471
3471
870
874
VA 2140
2140
PVC 2635
VA 2134
VA 2153
VA 2158
2679X6
Lb/Acre
5500
5500
+3300 R
5500
+3300 R
5500
+3300 R
5500
+3300 R
5500
5500
5500
5500
4400
5500
5500
5500
5500
6600
8800
4400
4400
5500
4400
Rate •
Start
710
925
180
610
145
775
310
520
101
1610
530
1060
2240
1060
848
252
1040
1320
1240
1065
1240
228
721
- ft/vr
After
Sealing
77
180
26
145
52
310
153
104
41
14
42
5.5
177
230
88
64
164
173
56
78
48
218
Efficiency 70
of
Sealant
89
81
86
79
96
60
50
80
62
99
92
99
91
78
54
65
94
88
86
95
94
79
70
Latex
E luted
29
17
-
27
-
33
-
74
-
25
22
0
20
50
50
18
32
43
67
47
27
33
34
Soil
Source
2C
2C
2C
2C
2C
KB
KB
KB
03A
2C
2C
03A
2C
KB
KB
KB
KB
03A
2C
Surface
Film
Mod.
Low
Low
Low
Low
Mod.
Low
Mod.
Low
Low
Low
Low
Low
Some
No
No
No
-------
oo
TABLE XIII
Penetrating Sealants for B_ Profile
Percolation
Rate - ft./yr.
Sealant
Latexes
Goodrich
Borden
Naugatuck
Paisley
Solutions of
Goodrich
+ Tergitol
Dow Montrek
NH4OH
Code
2679x6
2679x6
2140
2134
2134
2134
3471
3471
R-8438-20C
N32C03
71-9052-0
Polymers and plonomers
K714
15-S-12
12 |
600J
600
Sod. hexametaphosphate
Hydrazine
Lb . /Acre
3500
5500
4800
2750 R
1670
1670 R
1670
4400
44001
5400J
5400
4400
2800
31
4400
3100 R
4400
19400
Froze
4400
6600 R
Start
472
570
665
88
1010
91
12
55
1680
1720
1510
202
335
265
204
478
1
1260
1700
After
Sealing
15
25
10
2
91
20
1.4
11
3.8
3.4
94
16
265
28
138
18
3
10
3.0
Efficiency %
of Latex
Sealant
97
95
98
97
91
78
89
80
99
98
87
93
22
90
32
99.8
97
97
Soil
Eluted Source
9
16
13
73
0
0
0 Sk.
12
0 Sk.
0 Sk.
34
Inches
Penetrated
(1-2)
(1-2)
OA3
2C
OA3
KB
KB
KB
KB
KB
KB
KB
OA3
KB
KB
Surface
Film
Some
Some
Some
Low
Low
Low
Some
None
None
None
Sk = skinned (removed top half inch of soil).
R
re-used column
-------
a second way is to add a very small amount of coagulant to a dilute
latex solution and measure the optical density at 700 rag, in a Gary
spectrophotometer to determine how much the particles have grown by
insipient coagulation. Both these methods were used on a series of
latexes with and without added anionic or nonionic surfactants.
It was found that:
1) The addition of surfactant before adding electrolyte increased
chemical stability,
2) Tergitol 15-S-12 (a nonionic) was more effective than Aquarex G
and Nacconol 90 (anionics), and
3) 800 A particle size latex required more electrolyte than 400 A
latex to cause instability.
These results confirm the behavior of latex in soil columns where the
highest elution has occurred when latex was stabilized with excess
Tergitol 15-S-12.
To further corroborate these observations with respect to reaction
with the soil, a series of experiments was carried out by shaking 10 g
air-dried Lanse soil for 0.5 to 1.5 hours with 20 ml 2 1/2% latex by
itself and with 10 parts added surfactants. Samples were then settled
overnight, centrifuged for separation of soil and coagulated latex,
and decanted for measurement of solids in the supernatant liquid.
The data show that stability of latex to soil is increased by the
addition of surfactants, particularly Tergitol. (The latter is more
effective with 10 parts than with 5 parts per 100 parts rubber.)
Although this vigorous shaking of latex and soil in a bottle is a
more drastic condition than latex percolation, the results show that
the addition of surfactants to the latex will reduce coagulation by
chemicals in Lanse soil, i.e., increase the penetration of the latex
into the soil.
Water Soluble Inorganics as Soil Sealants
Dilute aqueous ammonium hydroxide (2 1/27.) was found to be an effective
soil sealant (see Table XIV). This effect was checked a number of
times with both A and B profile soil from Lanse or the Research Center.
Use of 2-1/2 or 5% aqueous sodium carbonate was also found to be a
very effective sealant for all classes of soil tested (Table XIV).
The mechanism of this sealant action is believed to involve swelling
resulting from montmorillonite type clays.
39
-------
TABLE XIV
Inorganic Chemicals as Soil Sealants
Sealant Lb/Acre
NH4OH
NH^OH
Percolation
Rate - ft/yr
After
Start Sealing
4400
11000
11000
605
1580
1420
8
1.6
6
Efficiency
of
Sealant
99
99.9
99.5
7o Latex
Eluted
1-2
1-2
Soil
Source
03A
RC
RC
Surface
Film
None
None
None
Ammonium carbonate and bicarbonate were found to be ineffective.
The effectiveness of ammonium hydroxide and sodium carbonate as soil
sealants is of interest but is of very limited value because of the
water solubility of the reagents and the resulting temporary nature
of the seal.
Work by Agey ° reports effective sealant activities with sodium car-
bonate as well as a variety of lithium salts. With a western type of
soil, Agey did not obtain effective sealant action with ammonium
hydroxide, however. Letey^O has reported that soil and sand can be
made water repellent by treatment with ammonium hydroxide. He also
noted that a certain type of humic acid produced by microbiological
action was a very effective sealant in the form of Fe^""*" or Al '~"H~
salts. Phillips-*! reports that mixtures of sodium humate with alkali
metal carbonates or polyphosphates are effective soil sealants.
09
Work of PuriJ^ in India notes that calcium saloids in clays are quan-
titatively converted to sodium saloids by action of sodium carbonate.
The fine clay particles produced fill up interstices and make the
soils impervious to water. This technique was used on a 13 mile
length of canals in India to reduce seepage very effectively.
jjlays as Sealants
Since commercial bentonite clays cost about two cents per pound,
Montmorillonite BP was investigated as a sealant in very dilute (0.25
to 0.50%) dispersion and as an extender in several latexes. The clay
was kept suspended by the addition of a surfactant. Pore blockage
occurred, but most seals were made at the surface and in no case was
penetration greater than two inches, in laboratory soil columns. It
was concluded that no further work was warranted.
40
-------
SECTION VIII
FIELD PERMEABILITY STUDIES
Natural Permeability
To determine the relative permeability of the soil a series of percola-
tion tests were performed at the three locations of interest at Lanse,
i.e., 3C, 03A and strip bank, and KA and KB at Kato. Soil cores were
removed to 2, 8, 16, 24 and 32 inch depths with the thin wall sampler
tube, each core separated from the next by about fifteen feet. Then
two-foot-long thin-wall tubes were inserted into the 2, 8, and 16 inch
deep holes and three-foot long tubes were inserted into the 24 and 36
inch deep holes. Each tube was tamped down about one inch further to
assure a bottom seal; the tubes were filled with water and the rate of
fall was measured.
O £
The test is similar to those done for septic tank percolation studies ,
but is not quantitatively related to Darcy's coefficient of hydraulic
conductivity because the water can flow in three dimensions from the
bottom of the tube. The measurements are dependent on the length of
test, since the rate of fall is a function of the head. Therefore, it
should be noted that the 24 and 32 inch deep tubes should give faster
percolation rates because of the one foot greater head. At locations
03A and 3C the data show a sharp decrease in percolation at increasing
depth, Table XV. However, the percolation at 03A and 32 inch depth is
much higher than at 3C (0.2 vs. 0.01 inches/hour); the fragipan layer
must be deeper at the 3C location since this area does experience a
perched water table. On the strip bank the rates of falling head are
randomly variable, appearing to be as much dependent on the particular
location of insertion as on depth of placement. For example, water
drained from the 16 inch tube as fast as it was added, probably into a
sub-surface cavity or crevice.
At Kato the tubes were more difficult to place because of interference
of tree roots. For this reason 2 inch deep tubes were not inserted.
These short tests at Kato were inconclusive, varying extensively when
the tubes were moved.
Field permeability tests were also performed in two (previously
described) eight-inch diameter permeater tubes at Lanse and one at
Kato. Because the soil is confined inside the tube, hydraulic con-
ductivity can be calculated according to Darcy's flow equation.
The high values reported in Table XVI experienced when the tubes were
rewetted from a dry surface condition, enable us to conclude that
infiltration is faster than the saturated permeability of the soil.
In contrast to the falling head percolation tests, these permeability
results do not show a high variation between locations.
41
-------
5/19 - 5/21
Location
Lanse 3C
Lanse 03A
•P-
S3
Strip bank
(Lanse)
TABLE XV
Falling Head Percolation Tests
Depth:
Test *
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
2"
Time
10
3
4
5
5
5
5
6
43
15
13
10
15
1
20
1
3
4
1
min.
min.
min.
min.
min.
min.
min.
min.
min.
min.
.5 min.
. min
min
hr
min.
hr
.1 hrs
.4 hrs
hr
Rate*
9.75
480
360
300
300
300
300
240
25.
34.
33.3
17.2
20.
13.
5.6
4.25
1.9
1.5
0.5
8"
Time
10 min.
14 min.
5.3 hrs
14 hrs
16.3 hrs
8.8 hrs
14.4 hrs
l.hr
44 min.
12 min.
12
10
15 min.
7.9 hrs
1 hr.
20 min.
1 hr
3.1 hrs.
4.4 hrs
15 hrs
1 hr
Rate
2.4
5.9
3.5
4.3
0.65
0.54
0.51
0.38
23.
27.5
19.8
9.4
6
2.7
2.25
10.5
8.5
5.26
5.5
1.23
3.13
16"
Time
24.3 hrs
15.1 hrs
5.3 hrs
2.6 hrs
16.3 hrs
8.8 hrs
14.4 hrs
l.hr
11 min.
10 min.
2.7 hrs
10 min.
15 min.
7.9 hrs
15.4 hrs
1 hr
drains
Rate
0.78
0.78
0.81
1.05
0.70
0.70
0.61
0.36
33.4
24.
6.
9.
6.
2.4
1.46
0.63
immediately
-
24"
Time
47 hrs
39.4 hrs
14.3 hrs
440 hrs
46 min.
24.6 hrs
16 hrs
3 hrs
17 hrs
7.9 hrs
15.4 hrs
1 hr
20 min.
20 min.
17.9 hrs
4.3 hrs
3.1 hrs
15 hrs
1 hr
Rate
0.01
0.019
0.017
0.0125
0.5
0.42
0.66
0.83
0.73
0.81
0.72
0.63
40.
7.1
1.9
3.2
3.7
2.0
3.63
32"
Time
47 hrs
39.5 hrs
14.3 hrs
440 hrs
41 min.
24.5 hrs
16 hrs
3.1 hrs
17 hrs
8 hrs
15.4 hrs
1 hr
20 min.
1 hr
3.9 hrs
4.3 hrs
15 hrs
1 hr
Rate
0.008
0.011
0.009
0.0054
0.18
0.14
0.18
0.20
0.26
0.38
0.43
0.38
11.2
8.25
2.80
2.60
1.80
2.88
* Rate is given in inches/hour.
-------
TABLE XV (cont'd.)
Location
Lanse 3C
Lanse 03A
Kato KA
Kato KB
Depth:
Test #
1
2
3
1
2
3
1
2
1
2
JL!
Time
40 min.
10 min.
-
10 min.
20 min.
10 min.
2 min.
12 min.
10 min.
10 min.
Rate*
3.2
3.8
-
30
23
13
180
117
6
1.12
16"
Time
25 min.
16.2 hrs.
24.6 hrs.
20 min.
10 min.
24.2 hrs.
5 min.
10 min.
10 min.
45 min.
Rate
0.20
0.24
0.47
43
3.4
0.62
5.25
1.25
2.25
2.5
24"
Time
585 hrs.
16.7 hrs.
25.2 hrs.
2 hrs.
19 hrs.
24.3 hrs.
10 min.
42 min.
10 min.
23.2 hrs.
Rate
0.023
0.052
0.044
0.38
0.38
0.47
6
3.1
1.12
0.04
32"
Time
585 hrs.
16.7 hrs.
25.2 hrs.
2 hrs.
19 hrs.
24.3 hrs.
19.8 hrs.
—
11 min.
64 min.
Rate
0.009
0.026
0.029
0.25
0.35
0.53
0.025
-
25
3
*Rate is given in inches/hour.
-------
Date
6/12
7/8
7/9
9/4
9/5
9/19
10/21
10/22
10/23
11/7
11/8
11/20
11/21
TABLE XVI
Darcy Hydraulic Conductivity (K) of Field Permeameters
Time of Test
(Hrs.)
24
17.
24.
15.
24.
24.
3.
24.
24.
19.
24.
288.
24.
Lanse Site
K (3C)
(ft./yr.)
7.67
20.8
7.67
12.0
7.67
*56.9
*52.2
11.3
3.65
nil
nil
1.83
3.65
K (4B)
(ft./yr.)
17.2
29.6
11.3
*104.
19.0
3.65
4.75
3.65
2.56
3.65
Kato Site
K (KA)
(ft./yr.)
38.3
*dry
Effect of Sealant Applied in the Field
Ammonium hydroxide, sodium carbonate, and Naugatex J-3471 latex were
found to be effective sealants in laboratory columns. Field tests of
these sealants vrere made by sprinkling dilute solutions of these com-
pounds on three five-by-five foot plots separated about fifteen feet
from each other. In each case, directly after the application of the
sealant solution, a water flush was sprinkled over the area to abet
penetration into the soil.
Two or three weeks later, soil cores were dug in 4-inch increments to
8 inch and 16 inch depths, making two holes into which two-foot-long
thin-wall tubes were inserted. Concurrently 8 inch and 16 inch holes
were dug and thin-wall tubes were inserted into an adjacent untreated
area. Subsequently, falling head percolation rates were measured.
The results of the percolation tests are shown in Table XVII. The
treatments appear to have been more effective at 16 inches deep than
at 8 inches. In the case of the ammonium hydroxide tests, the effec-
tiveness at the 16 inch depth was somewhat delayed and short lived.
Although the test time is shorter for the sodium carbonate and latex
treatments, the 16 inch deep reduction in percolation is significant.
Comparing the untreated area with the treated area results for
November 8 only, the percent reduction in percolation is 96.6% for
the sodium carbonate and 98.9% for the latex treated area.
44
-------
TABLE XVII
Falling Head Percolation Tests at Lanse
(Units: Time - minutes, Rate - in./hr.)
Depth:
8/1/69
10/21
10/22
10/23
11/6
11/7
11/8
NH^OH Treated
8"
Time
10
5
5
30
10
15
30
15
15
15
15
Rate
32.25
25.5
22.5
15.0
16.25
6
5
4
4.5
4.5
4.
16"
Time
5
5
15
15
15
15
15
15
15
Rate
12
12
7.38
9.5
9.5
8.5
8.
8.5
8.
Untreated
8"
Time
10
5
5
30
10
15
30
15
15
15
15
NH4OH Treated
16
15
15
-
.
-
-
-
-
-
8
10
10
.
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
60
66
74
.
-
.
_
-
-
-
125
113
108
.
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
60
240
-
.
1183
120
60
1457
92
30
30
60
60
.
-
1077
60
60
60
1301
48
72
60
0.625
0.375
-
.
0.2
0.25
0.375
0.19
0.16
0.50
2.5
0.63
0.25
.
-
0.38
0.75
0.75
0.75
0.9
1.9
2.0
2.0
15
15
15
-
.
-
-
-
-
-
10
10
10
40
60
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Rate
43.5
37.5
36.25
23.5
35.5
21.5
20.75
22.5
22.
22.
21.5
16"
Time
5
5
15
15
15
15
15
15
15
Rate
186.
190.
80.
68.
57.
47-
43.
46.
41.
Untreated
47
41
42
-
-
-
.
-
-
.
20
18
18
17
16
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
15
15
29
30
30
90
60
30
30
30
10
10
10
40
60
15
15
30
60
60
60
60
-
58
54
35
34
23
13
10
17
19
18
26
20
20
21
18
18
19
16
14
8
8
8
-
8"
Time
Na
15
15
15
15
.
.
-
-
-
.
10
10
10
40
60
-
-
-
-
.
.
-
-
Rate
2co3
44
45
54
54
-
-
-
-
-
-
28
24
24
20
20
-
-
-
-
-
.
-
-
Time
16" 8" 16"
Rate Time Rate Time
Rate
Treated utex 34n
15
15
115
241
1188
120
60
30
30
30
30
60
60
-
-
1075
60
60
60
1480
60
60
60
0.5
0.5
0.25
0.25
0.15
0.12
0.25
0.50
0.75
0.75
0.13
0.25
0.03
-
-
0.20 15 14 60
0.19 15 12 60
0.19 30 12 60
0.38 60 10
0.26 55 4 1360
0.19 60 3.5 60
0.31 60 3.3 60
0.31 - - 60
0.38
0.25
0.13
-
0.12
0.06
0.06
0.12
-------
Spoil Banks
The soil aggregate system that composes the spoil banks is not defin-
able because of the intermixture of soil, sub-soil and bedrock com-
ponents, with resultant large voids. If penetrating sealants are not
effective, it may be practical to seal these restored stripped areas
with a surface seal. Therefore, to test surface seals on the spoil
bank at Lanse, five solutions which had previously given effective
surface seals in laboratory soil columns were applied in field tests.
Five 8-inch diameter galvanized stove pipe sections 8 inches long were
pushed into the rocky soil 1 to 1 1/2 inches deep on the spoil bank in
Location 4D. The following sealants were tested:
GM-39: 800 ml. of 2 1/2% EPDM latex containing 40 parts of
Aroclor 124210 per 100 parts of rubber.
GM-38: 800 ml. of 2 1/2% EPDM latex containing 40 parts of
paraffin soap per 100 parts of rubber.
PR-10: 800 ml. of 5% solution of Phillips PR-10 sealant, a
latex-oil mixture.^
BP-clay: 3500 ml. of water containing 80 g. of montmorillonite
BP clay and 40 g. of sodium-hexametaphosphate.
Water
Repellant: 250 ml. of water containing 2.5 g. of nonylphenoxyacetic
acid dissolved in 20 g. of 28% NH4OH, followed by 250
ml. of 0.17. HC1.
These short tests indicate that PR-10 is a poor sealant, GM-38 and
GM-39 are intermediate and montmorillonite clay and nonylphenoxyacetic
acid appear to have sealed well enough to be of further interest.
See Table XVIII. The acid became more effective after it was allowed
to dry.
TABLE XVIII
Surface Seal Tests on Spoil Bank at Lanse
[Time (in minutes) to Dryness of 500 ml Increment of Water]
PR 10 BP-Clay Repellant
7 105 103
62 - 61
10/23 6323 21
35 31 6 30 100
11/7 28 33 2 112 110
60 37 3 -
11/8 59 135 3 223 575
46
-------
SECTION IX
LATEX IRRIGATION AND EVALUATION AT LANSE
It was decided to demonstrate the use of latex as a soil sealant by
irrigating three small plots at Lanse coded 03A on the west of Brown's
run, 3C on the east of the stream, and SB, an area on the spoil bank.
Earlier plans to sprinkle latex on twenty acres of the side were
abandoned because of easement difficulties. On the basis of results
from laboratory soil columns and small plot experiments at Lanse,
Naugatex J-3471 was the latex of choice. The irrigation system con-
sisted of plastic pipe (two inch size) for the main line from the
water meter to the irrigation area because of lower price and ease of
handling. Because the municipal water supply was limited to 20 gpm,
low-volume 14V-LA-TNT Rainbow sprinklers were specified with low angle
20° 3/32 inch nozzles to reduce wind effects. At the expected nozzle
pressure of 50 psig, each sprinkler covers a 56 foot diameter area at
a delivery rate of 1.64 gpm. Each of the three test areas was covered
with twelve sprinklers, six used with water alone as a control area
and six used with latex and subsequent water spraying. One-quarter-
turn inlet valves were positioned on the main lines leading to each
area. Flow to the treated and untreated areas was set at 10 gpm by
Dole flow control valves in the main entry lateral to each of the six
sprinklers.
To avoid the use of dilution tanks, a Moyno pump operated by a 1/2 HP,
1140 rpm 5:1 reducing drive was used to deliver 1/2 gpm 48% latex for
mixing with 10 gpm water. A 3500 watt gasoline generator provided
power for pump and light. Latex was applied at night to take advantage
of the lower evaporation and higher humidity.
Neutron gauge access tubes were placed in orthogonal arrangement in the
areas that were irrigated, with four tubes in the section that were
sprinkled with latex and four tubes in the untreated irrigation section
in each of the three locations. Each tube, five and one-half feet long
and sealed at one end with a plug welded in place, was inserted five
feet into the ground in a cored hole.
In each irrigation area, the left section of six sprinklers spread the
dilute latex while the right section sprinkled the same amount of
water to serve as a control plot. As shown in Figure 7 each sprinkler
has a 56-foot sprinkling diameter at 50 psig design water pressure.
The sprinklers are 30 feet apart on the laterals and 35 feet apart
between the laterals. The access tubes (coded AT on Figure 7) were
placed in comparable spots on the two sections of each area, so that
four soil moisture measurements on the two sections could be compared.
Bouyoucos resistance blocks (BB) were also placed in areas 03A and 3C
at one, two and three foot depths, but not on the spoil bank area.
47
-------
oo
00
•
•~J
I
3 H
(D H.
m cw
en
O
3
w
rt
ro
3
I-1'
O
H-
O
3
to
rt
X
Co
aatex
ump
Fig. 7 - Irrigation system for application of latex at Lanse site
AT - access tube; BB - Bouyoucos block; FCV - flow control valve
-------
A service contract was arranged with Pennsylvania State University for
thirteen once-a-week neutron gauge measurements of. 25 access tubes at
4 depth intervals, extending from June 10 to September 10, 1970. The
information was supplied as volume percent water content.
On June 17-18, 18-19, and 19-20 (1970) latex was applied to plots 03A,
3C and the spoil bank (SB), respectively. Table XIX shows the time
schedule and the quantities of water and latex irrigation to each area.
Latex applications in Areas 03A and 3C were apparently successful, but
on the spoil bank appreciable puddling occurred with some latex run-off
into the control area. A portion of the SB area had experienced prior
compaction and settling; this part of the area showed the greatest run-
off.
TABLE XIX
Latex Application Schedule at Lanse
Plot
Date
Pre-Irrigation
Start
Time
Gallons of water
Latex Irrigation
Start
Time
Gallons of water
Gallons of Latex
(47.8% T.S.)
Latex (solids)
Post Irrigation
Start
End
Time
Gallons of water
Total water (gal.)
(inches)
03A
6/17-18/70
4:00 p.m.
5 hr.
4,645
9:00 p.m.
12 hr.
12,485
275
1,052*
12:00 N
2:40 p.m.
2 hr. 40 rain.
2,230
19,370
1.59
3C
SB
6/18-19/70
4:10 p.m.
4 hr. 35 rain.
4,000
8:45 p.m.
9 hr.
9,700
275
1,052*
5:52 a.m.
2:05 p.m.
8 hr. 13 min.
7,200
20,900
1.71
6/19-20/70
9:15 p.m.
1 hr. 37 min.
1,430
10:52 p.m.
10 hr. 30 min.
10,990
275
1,052*
9:25 a.m.
3:30 p.m.
6 hr. 5 rain.
4,810
17,230
1.41
*Equivalent to 4,650 Ibs/acre
The purpose of the water irrigation before latex application was to
provide a wetting front in the soil, whereas the subsequent post-
irrigation was needed to rinse the latex from the vegetation, and to
flush the latex deeper into the soil. In addition, 5,000 gallons of
49
-------
irrigation water were applied on June 20-21 to Area 03A, June 22-23
to 3C, and June 23-24 to SB to continue the downward movement of mois-
ture into the soil. Almost half an inch of rain fell on June 21 which
aided in keeping the ground surface high in moisture.
There was no difference in the appearance of the vegetation between the
latex-treated and control areas at any time after application. The
grass and legumes were thicker and greener than the year before and the
weeds were higher, probably because of the wetter condition provided by
the irrigation. No deleterious effects to the trees on the spoil bank
has been observed.
Analysis of Soil Moisture Data
It was anticipated that soil moisture measurements taken at intervals
of one foot depths would be a valid way to determine the effectiveness
of the latex as a soil sealant. Neutron gauge measurements reported
by Dr. L. T. Kardos, Environmental Scientist, Pennsylvania State
University, as volume percent soil moisture were analyzed in two
groups, the first including two weeks before and five weeks after
application, and the second involving data taken the subsequent seven
week period. The data was treated for analysis of variance and tests
of significance.
The analysis divided the sources of variation into the following four
factors:
1. Left versus right section of each plot.
2. Depth at which soil moisture was measured, that is 1, 2, 3 and
4 feet.
3. a) Week-to-week variation.
b) Alternatively, pre-treated weeks versus post-treated weeks.
4. Access tube position. There are four positions in each section.
Each plot was analyzed separately for group 1 data as follows;
Analysis A. All 224 measurements were utilitzed (2 sections x 4
depths x 7 weeks x 4 positions), in which factor 3b
(2 levels) was considered.
Analysis B. Pretreatment data only were considered (2 sections x
4 depths x 2 weeks x 4 positions) in which factor 3a
compares two weeks under untreated condition.
Analysis C. Post-treatment data only were considered (2 sections
x 4 depths x 5 weeks x 4 positions) for the first five
weeks after treatment. Factor 1 above is now a measure
of treatment significance.
From these three analyses, variances of the main factors and their
50
-------
interactions were calculated.
By comparing the difference based on the latex application to the error
variance (the sum of all variances not attributed to treatment), the
effect of treatment can be evaluated. On this basis Analysis B deter-
mines that there is a difference between the sections in areas 03A and
3C prior to treatment but not for the spoil bank. Analysis C deter-
mines that there is also a significant difference between the treated
and control sections after treatment for 3C and 03A areas but not for
the spoil bank.
Analysis A answers the question whether the difference between the
treated and control sections was significantly larger after treatment.
The answer is negative for all three plots based on analyses of vari-
ance. However, the averaged delta value of the spoil bank (SB) after
treatment does show a significantly larger difference at the one-foot
level (Table XX, t = 5.88). Figure 8 shows graphically that delta
moisture increased after latex application and remained high through
the next four weeks.
Table XX explains why Analysis A gives no treatment significance.
Although there are wide differences between the control and test sec-
tions after treatment, these same differences are evident prior to
treatment as well. Table XX shows the soil mositure averages of the
four positions in each section prior to (two weeks), and after (five
weeks) the latex was applied to the test area. The standard deviation
of the means (S.D.) is also given for each set of values. The relative-
ly high standard deviations reflect the wide fluctuation of values from
position more than from week-to-week variation. The delta value is the
average volume percent soil moisture of the test area minus the control
for each depth.
In Figure 8 the delta values are plotted for each of the first seven
times soil moisture was measured. It can be seen that except for the
one-foot depth in area SB, the delta difference before and after latex
treatment is marginal.
The fact that the delta soil moisture decreases with depth at 3C but is
a maximum at four feet in area 03A indicates that soil moisture differ-
ences are characteristic of section differences. The "Student-t-
Distribution" demonstrates that many of the values show very low signif-
icance.
For the group 2 data, the difference (delta) in soil moisture between
the average (4 positions) of the treated section and the average of the
control section for the three areas of interest over the period of
July 30 to September 17, 1970, inclusive is shown in Figure 9.
Table XXI shows that the soil moisture and delta soil moisture average
of the seven measurements differ little from the first five post-
treatment data.
51
-------
TABLE XX
Soil Moisture Data
Depth % Moisture % Moisture
(feet) Control* S.D. Test Area** S.D.
Plot
1
2
3
4
Plot
1
2
3
4
Plot
1
2
3
4
Plot
1
2
3
4
Plot
1
2
3
4
Plot
1
2
3
4
3C - Prior
23.67
33.85
35.45
33.22
3C - After
29.44
36.21
35.71
33.56
03A - Prior
26.27
28.71
26.01
25.09
03 A - After
to Treatment:
1.108
.973
1.056
2.117
Treatment:
.680
.480
.691
1.555
to Treatment:
.618
.319
.710
.529
Treatment:
30.20 .453
29.06
27.26
26.57
.448
.741
.408
SB (Spoil Bank) - Prior to
18.75
15.07
14.41
15.25
SB - After
17.86
16.98
15.02
15.73
.544
.737
1.120
.903
Treatment;
.143
.584
.852
.545
25.99
31.67
32.42
27.04
30.94
32.73
32.89
26.78
28.16
28.67
25.02
32.65
33.71
30.02
27.34
37.57
Treatment:
18.39
15.40
15.64
16.67
21.10
15.54
14.74
16.87
1.623
3.094
3.201
1.351
.899
1.716
1.759
.856
.025
.983
.434
2.473
.892
.683
1.020
1.906
.583
1.085
1.145
.983
.533
.824
.808
.755
Delta
2.31
-2.18
-3.02
-6.19
1.50
-3.48
-2.82
-6.78
1.89
-.04
-.99
7.56
3.51
.96
.08
11.00
-.36
.33
1.23
1.42
3.24
-1.45
-.28
1.13
S.D.
1.965
3.244
3.370
2.512
1.127
1.782
1.890
1.775
2.117
1.034
.832
2.529
1.000
.817
1.261
1.950
.797
1.311
1.602
1.335
.552
1.010
1.175
.931
t-dist
fDeltaN
\sT~J
1.17
0.67
0.90
2.46
1.33
1.95
1.49
3.82
0.89
0
1.19
3.00
3.51
1.18
0
5.65
0.45
0.25
0.77
1.06
5.88
1.44
0.24
1.21
* Average of 4 positions, 2 weeks
** Average of 4 positions, 5 weeks
S.D. is the standard deviation.
52
-------
6/10
6/17
6/24
7/10
7/17
V
Area 03A
After latex
application
7/22 (1970)
6/10
6/17
6/24
7/10
7/17 7/22 (1970)
H
2
o
eg
AJ
4
2
0
-2 .
-4
Spoil
Bank
6/10
6/17
6/24
7/1 7/10
Test date
7/17
7/22 (1970)
Fig. 8 - Effect of latex on delta soil moisture, i.e., difference
In soil moisture between treated and control areas.
53
-------
O
to
a
4J
ft
&
Area 03A
9/30
8/5
8/12 8/19
8/26 9/2
9/7 (1970)
7/30
8/12
8/19
8/26
9/2
Area 3C
9/9 9/7 (1970)
9
u
CO
•o1 °
CO
a ~
u -2
7/30
8/5
8/12
9/2
9/9
8/19 8/26
Test date
Fig. 9 - Effect of latex on delta soil moisture, i.e., difference
in soil moisture between treated and control areas
9/17 (1970)
54
-------
TABLE XXI
Soil Moisture Data
Seven weeks combined - 7/30 to 9/17 (1970)
Depth
(feet)
% Moisture % Moisture
Control Area S.D. Test Area
S.D.
Delta
S.D.
t-dist.
(Delta}
VS.D. 1
Plot 3-C
1
2
3
4
28
34
35
33
.31
.88
.04
.02
.653
.294
.444
1.278
29
32
31
26
.54
.37
.32
.15
.836
1,422
1.467
.656
1
-2
-3
-6
.23
.51
.72
.88
1
1
1
1
.061
.452
.532
.436
1.16
1.73
2.42
4.80
Plot 03-A
1
2
3
4
28
28
26
26
.91
.79
.47
.04
.552
.235
.517
.341
32
28
27
37
.03
.92
.14
.16
.783
.600
.855
1.359
3
11
.12
.14
.66
.12
.958
.644
.999
1.401
3.
0.
0.
7.
26
22
67
94
Plot SB
1
2
3
4
16.86
16.21
14.94
15.27
.197
.461
.636
.486
19.82
15.27
14.36
16.78
.453
.694
.632
.608
2.97
- .94
- .58
1.51
.494
.833
.897
.778
6.01
1.13
0.65
1.94
Because the results of the in-depth soil moisture were inconclusive, we
determined gravimetric soil moisture to a depth of one foot and com-
pared treated and control sections at areas 03A and 3C. As in neutron
gauge moisture measurements, position variations were high. Moisture
decreased with depth, except where the soil was saturated with free
water or was especially stony as noted in Table XXII. In area 03A the
soil from the treated section was wetter than the control, whereas the
reverse was true at 3C (see average values and L-U values in Table XXII),
Evapotranspiration by the vegetation is probably not a factor because
it rained the night before the samples were taken. Again, section
differences appear to be dominant.
Since soil moisture did not serve as a measure of sealing effectiveness,
permeability tests were done on several occasions. Twelve 8-inch
diameter by 12-inch long stove pipes were pressed into the ground ten
inches, three in comparable positions in each section of Areas 03A
and 3C. After sprinkling each area with 12,000 gallons of water,
55
-------
TABLE XXII
Gravimetric % Soil Mositure of Samples Taken August 31, 1970
Latex Treated (L) Untreated Control (U)
Depth, in.
03A
Av.
Av. A (L-U)
3C
Av.
Av. A (L-U)
0-4
38.2
41.8
33.6
28.8
35.6
5.6
22.4
26.9
25.8
28.2
25.8
-3.7
4-8
26.6
36. 51
30.0
26.2
29.8
2.8
17.4
23.1
23.0
20.5
21.0
-1.8
8-12
23.8
30.91
34. 31
20.7
27.4
5.0
10. 12
22.0
23.4
21.0
19.1
-2.6
0-4
32.4
29.1
31.2
27.4
30.0
27.3
33.3
28.7
31.3
26.6
29.5
4-8
26.4
26.5
27.2
28.0
27.0
26.2
30.4
20. 72
12. 72
23.9
22.8
8-12
22.6
23.0
21.0
22.8
22.4
23.8
26.8
22.7
16.3
19.0
21.7
Free water in soil
o
Soil sample was stony
permeability tests were done on September 16, 1970 in the stove pipes
by adding 500 ml increments of water and measuring the time to dis-
appearance of free water from the tubes. Specific permeability was
calculated by dividing the infiltration in cubic centimeters per
minute (500 cc/t (min.)) by the surface area (324 cm2) of the tube.
The permeability is synonomous with Darcy's hydraulic conductivity K,
cm/rain. These numbers are recorded in Table XXIII as cc/min. cm , as
well as percent efficiency, as defined by the permeabilities of the
control minus the latex treated tubes divided by the control times 100.
The data demonstrate a consistent reduction of permeability in the
experimental sections of 90 to 99% efficiency, even though there is
significant variability between tubes within each section.
On October 12, 1970 when the tests were repeated, the efficiency
remained high except for position 03A-1. For some unexplained reason
the 03A-1 tube in the treated area became quite permeable while infil-
tration of the control at 03A-1 and 2 decreased appreciably. The 03A
56
-------
TABLE XXIII
Location
03A-1
03A-2
03A-3
3C-1
3C-2
3C-3
Overall
Time
fain.)
65
245
120
>480
80
200
125
250
10
20
22
20
44
80
73
75
average
Latex Treated CL)
Permeability**
(cc. /min. -era?) Average
0.0238
0.0063
0.0128 0.0143
< 0.0032 < 0.0032
0:0193
0.0077
0.0123 0.0131
0.0062 0.0062
0.154
0.077
0.070
0.070 0.095
0.0350
0.0193
0.0212
0.0206 0.0240
0.0260
Time
fain.)
3
6
4
5
2
15
11
16
1
1
1
5
21
19
26
1
2
2
2
1
2
2
2
Control (C)
Permeability**
(cc./min .-cm?)
0.512
0.257
0.386
0.308
0.771
0.103
0.140
0.096
1.54
1.54
1.54
0.308
0.0735
0.0810
0.0594
1.54
0.771
0.771
0.771
1.54
0.771
0.771
0.771
Average Efficiency*
0.366 95. 7X
0.278 >98.8X
1.54 99. OX
0.130 95. OX
0.963 90. OX
0.963 97. 5X
0.707 96. 4X
* Efficiency - ^ ' L
C
** Permeability
57
-------
TABLE XXIV
Permeability Tests at Lanse on October 12. 1970
Latex Treated
Location
03A-1
03A-2 ,
03A-3
3C-1
3C-2
3C-3
Overall
(L)
Time Permeability** Time
(min.) (cc. /min. -cm.) Averaee (rain.)
7
12
13
contained
free J
water
158
176
165
204
26
46
36
21
35
45
average
0.220
0.129
0.119
nil
0.0098
0.0088
0.0093
0.0076
0.0594
0.0335
0.0429
0.0734
0.0440
0.0343
34
20
0.156 19
70
100
80
1
0.0093 1
1
6
0.0085 23
24
2
3
0.0453 2
2
2
0.0506 2
0.0450
Control (C)
Permeability**
(cc.Anin.-cm^) Average Efficiency*
0.0454
0.0771
0.0812
0.0220
0.0154
0.0193
1.54
1.54
1.54
0.2570
0.0670
0.0643
0.771
0.514
0.771
0.771
0.771
0.771
0.0679 negative
0.0189 ~ 1007.
1.54 99.37.
0.1294 93.27.
0.685 93.47.
0.771 93. 9%
0.535 91.57.
* Efficiency •
C - L
Permeability • /;5^3 .
' t (min.)
58
-------
treated section was obviously vetter than the adjacent control section
with small water puddles in low places and in tube 03A-2. These data
are shown in Table XXIV.
To determine the permeability at ten inches depth the tubes were
removed from the ground with the enclosed soil and then reinserted in
the holes without the soil. When this was done in holes 03A-2 and 3
water flowed into the holes from the thoroughly saturated soil. We
may conclude from this that under saturated conditions the sealant
induces lateral flow at a higher level in the soil. However, the
effect of the latex sealant on permeability from the ten-inch depth
down is much poorer than in the top ten inches as the data in Table XXV
show.
TABLE XXV
Permeability Tests at Lanse on October 13, 1970
(10 Inches of top soil removed from tubes)
Latex Treated (L) Control (C)
Perm** Perm**
Time (cc/ Time (cc/ Eff.*
Loc. (min.) min. cm ) Aye (min.) min. en/) Ave (%)
03A-1 6 0.257 4 0.386
9 0.172 0.215 11 0.140 0.263 18.3
03A Free water entered hole 10 0.154
when soil was excavated
26 0.059 0.107
03A-3 Same as 03A-2 >233 >0.0066 0.0066
3C-1 >250 <0.0062 6 0.257
50 0.0309 0.144 >95.5
3C-2 20 0.0771 6 0.257
120 0.0151 0.0461 15 0.103 0.180 74.4
3C-3 34 0.0454 16 0.0963
57 0.0271 0.0363 85 0.0182 0.0573 36.7
Overall average 0.0759 0.1263 39.8
C - L
* E
Efficiency
C
1 SAT
** Permeability = ' ,\
3 t (min.)
59
-------
TABLE XXVI
Permeability Testa at Lanae on May 5. 1971
Latex Treated (L)
Location
03A-1
03A-2
03A-3
03A Average
3C-1
3C-2
3C-3
3C Average
Overall Average
* V wet
Time(t)
(min.)
46
85
93
20
27
24
26
10
33
26
28
2
6
8
9
10
7
14
17
18
16
6
12
16
18
21
Permeability
cc . /min . /car
0.0336
0.0182
0.0166
0.0772
0.0571
0.0644
0.0594
0.154
0.0468
0.0594
0.0551
0.772
0.257
0.193
0.172
0.154
0.221
0.110
0.0910
0.0858
0.0965
0.257
0.129
0.0965
0.0858
0.0735
0.1380
_ fC - L\ ,A,
Average Time
(min.)
35
106
0.0228 84
1
2
1
0.0645 1
5
6
4
0.0813 6
0.0562
1
3
4
4
0.310 3
1
3
3
3
0.121 2
1
2
2
3
0.1284 2
0.186
1 AA T»^_ _UJ
Control (C)
Permeability*'
cc . /min . /car
0.0441
0.0146
0.0184
1.54
0.772
1.54
1.54
0.309
0.257
0.386
0.257
1.54
0.515
0.386
0.386
0.515
1.54
0.515
0.515
0.515
0.772
1.54
0.772
0.772
0.515
0.772
0.668
1.543
* Average I
Efficiency
0.0257 11
1.368 95
0.302 73
0.5652 91
0.668 54
0.771 84
0.874 85
0.771 75
80
60
-------
The permeability was still generally lower in the treated than in the
control areas in May 1971 (see Table XXVI). For example in Area 03A
the average sealing efficiency for the three locations was 917e, while
in Area 3C the sealing efficiency was 75/i.
In Table XXVII we compare the permeability efficiency as a function of
time from September 1970 to May 1971. The results indicate that seal-
ant qualities are retained but at a reduced efficiency after wintering.
The overall sealing efficiency for the 03A and 3C has been reduced from
96 to 80 percent from September 16, 1970 to May 5, 1971. The reduc-
tion in sealing effectiveness may be caused by the action of freezing
and thawing, and/or by increased porosity of the soil by root growth
and the action of living organisms - insects, worms, etc. It should
be recalled that most of the latex has been found within the top
twelve inches of soil.
TABLE XXVII
Comparison of Permeability Efficiency with Time
Location
03A-1
03A-2
03A-3
3C-1
3C-2
3C-3
Overall average for
03A and 3C Areas* 96 92 80
*Based on mean of all the permeability measurements
This confirms our conclusion (previously drawn from soil moisture data)
that area differences are at least as large as differences caused by
latex treatment. Referring to Table XXVI, it may be pointed out that
one inch of water (2.54 cm) at 0.0562 cc/min. cm* permeability requires
7 1/2 hours to infiltrate, whereas at 0.186 cc/min. cm2 one inch of
water will infiltrate in 2 hours.
2
Calculation: 97
99
95
90
98
% Efficiency on
1970 October 12, 1970
negative
~100
99
93
93
94
May 5, 1971
11
95
73
54
84
85
61
-------
e\
f-, or, 2.54 cc/min. cnr ..,,-,. 0 , , ..
@ 3C = 137 mm. » 2 hrs., 17 mm.
0.186 cc/min. cm2
The calculated infiltration times are shorter than the actual observed
infiltration rates of the rain because measurements in the stove pipes
are affected by wall and disturbance factors as a result of placing
the pipes into the soil.
62
-------
SECTION X
LATEX DISTRIBUTION IN SOIL
Methods
The optimum situation in sealing the soil with latex would be to
locate the sealant at the depth where natural permeability is lowest,
and to narrow distribution of the latex to a film. To ascertain how
closely we were achieving these objectives it was necessary to devise
a method to measure the concentration of latex in soil. A number of
methods were explored and two were used in actual field tests.
SBR latex tagged with C was prepared and used to determine the dis-
tribution of polymer in the soil. The latex was made by copolymer-
izing a mixture of radioactive and normal styrene with butadiene^in
bottles by conventional methods. Average particle size was 600 A.
Diluted aliquots had 1.40 microcuries radioactivity per gram of latex.
Tagged latex was mixed with soil in a range of proportions from 0.01
to 0.25% by weight to develop a calibration curve. Analyses of soil
in the laboratory and from the field were determined by comparison
with this master curve.
Styrene-containing polymers have a characteristic peak at 700 cm"1 but
crosslinked SBR is not soluble in solvents normally used in infra-red
spectroscopy, e.g., carbon disulfide. We developed a method for solu-
bilizing the crosslinked polymer by stirring overnight at room temper-
ature a soil sample in chloroform with t-butyl hydroperoxide and
osmium tetroxide. The filtered chloroform residue was dried to con-
stant weight, thoroughly mixed and pressed into a KBr pellet, and
concentration was determined by measuring the absorption at 700 cm"1.
Details are given in an Appendix.
Results
Concurrent with the sprinkler irrigation of areas 03A and 3C at' Lanse,
C1^ tagged latex was applied to soil confined in eight-inch diameter
stove pipes twelve inches long which were pressed into the ground ten
inches. In another experiment at locations 3A at Lanse, and KA and KB
at Kato, a mixture of 160 ml of tagged latex and 480 ml of regular
latex was applied followed by a comparable water addition. Sample
cores were dug with a one-half inch pipe cover on July 14 and August 20,
1970 and on May 5, 1971. Samples were oven-dried, ground, sieved
through 40 mesh screen and the radioactivity was measured. Similarly,
cores were dug at Kato on October 14, 1970 and May 3, 1971. Figure 10
is a histogram of the results of the tests at Lanse.
Figure 10 shows that 1) the concentration decreased most in the first
month, and 2) it decreased most in the top twelve inches. Interest-
ingly, the shape of the histograms remained similar for each location.
For example, all three times of test have the highest concentration
63
-------
.05
Area 3C
48 12 16 20 24
Area 3A
0 4 8 12 16 20 24
Soil core depth (inches)
Fig. 10 - Distribution of SBR in Lanse soil
I I
July 14, 1970
Aug. 20, 1970
JNl May 5, 1971
64
-------
at 4-8 inches in the 3C area, and at 0-4 inches in the 03A and 3A
areas. The higher values on May 5, 1971 of 03A and 3A at 16-24 inches
may indicate some mobility of the SBR, although sensitivity of the
analysis at concentrations below 0.01% is not good enough to draw this
conclusion categorically.
The distribution of C1^ tagged J-1405 SBR at Kato as shown in
Table XXVIII indicates very little change between October 14, 1970 and
May 3, 1971 soil samples.
TABLE XXVIII
Distribution of Tagged J-1405 SBR in Kato Soil (Wt. 7.)
Depth (in.) KA 10/14/70 5/3/71 KB 10/14/70 5/3/71
0-4 0.024 0.018 0.027 0.023
4-8 0.015 0.019 0.045 0.043
8-12 0.009 0.006 0.016 0.012
12-16 0.003 0.007 0.004 0.010
16-20 0.000 0.007 0.000 0.006
20-24 0.008 0.006
The distribution of different average particle diameter latexes
applied in eight-inch diameter tubes at locations KA and KB in Kato
was investigated by the infra-red analysis of oxidized residues.
Latex B-2301-02 is 400 * average particle diameter, ANJ-27-100K latex
is 800 * and J-1405 is 1200 ft in particle size. The objective of this
test was to determine the effect of latex particle size on the distri-
bution of latex in the soil. The results are shown in Table XXIX as
percent rubber in soil and as the percent of the total found to a
depth of twenty-four inches. There is general similarity among the
three latexes of different particle sizes. However, there is sig-
nificant difference between locations KA and KB. The highest con-
centration at KA is within the top four inches, whereas at KB the
concentration is maximum at the four to eight inch depth. We have
reported that soil texture at KB is coarser than at KA. It may be
concluded that soil conditions have a major influence on how the
latex is distributed within the soil.
From the point of view of a material balance, these results are not
quantitative, accounting for only 20-50% of the latex applied. Since
the results are obtained against standards done in triplicate, this
discrepancy is explained by losses along the walls of the tubes and
lateral dispersion from the bottom of the tube walls. The accuracy
of the method is as good as the accuracy of the standards, which
had less than ± 5% deviation. The precision of the method is very
good as demonstrated by comparing Samples J-1405-1 and 2 of the table.
65
-------
TABLE XXIX
Percent Latex in Kato Soil
Depth (inches) 0-4
KA-J-1405
KA-J-1405 (dup.)
KB- J- 1405
KB-J-1405 (dup.)
KA-B2301-02
KB-B2301-02
KA-ANJ-27-100K
KB-ANJ-27-100K
.043
.043
.048
.032
.019
.027
.022
4-8 8-12 12-16 16-20
.023
.023
.125
.117
.017
.101
.022
.035
Percent of Total Latex
Depth J-1405-1
0-4 50.5
4-8 27.1
8-12 13.0
12-16 9.4
16-20
20-24
J-1405-2 B2301-02
50.5 49.2
28.3 26.2
11.8 7.7
9.4 1.5
9.2
6.2
.011 .008 nil
.010 .008
.017 .004 .002
.005 .001 .006
.009 .002 .004
.012 .008 .003
.013 .007 .003
for Each Depth
ANJ-27-100K J-1405
37
30
16
11
4
1
.0 24.2
.2 63.2
.4 8.6
.0 2.0
.1 1.0
.3 1.0
20-24
nil
-
.002
.004
.003
.001
X stones
B2301-02
13.8
73.1
6.5
1.5
2.9
2.2
ANJ-27-100K
27.5
43.8
16.3
8.7
3.7
stones
-------
SECTION XI
SOIL BOX EXPERIMENT
The extrapolation of results from reconstructed laboratory soil
columns to field conditions is difficult because of the limitations of
laboratory experiments. Permeability and elution tests performed in
the laboratory differed from the natural state in that the soil was
sieved through 1/4 inch screen to remove large stones and roots, its
density was controlled by tamping the soil into two-inch I.D. tubes
instead of normal weathering, and water and latex were applied with a
constant head of liquid. Tube wall effects are important in inter-
preting data. Conversely, interpretation of field results were con-
founded by non-homogeneities within the sample tested, a soil profile
with gradation of permeability and density with depth, and uncontrolled
weather conditions and seasonal changes that affected the results.
Nevertheless, both laboratory and field tests showed that a specific
latex did perform as a soil sealant.
In view of these facts a soil box experiment was designed to overcome
some of the disadvantages associated with the small laboratory soil
columns and the field experiments. Two wood soil boxes 5 ft x 5 ft
x 5 ft were built in the greenhouse at the Uniroyal Research Center.
They were lined with plastic PVC sheeting provided with tubes every
six inches of depth on one side of each box to measure water removal
rates under saturated conditions. Tensiometer gauges were placed at
depths of 6, 12, 18, 24, 36 and 48 inches and Bouyoucos blocs and
resistance thermometers were positioned at 6, 24 and 48 inch depths.
Each box was filled with a uniform sub-soil obtained from Ogdensburg,
N. J. The texture of this soil was determined to be a sandy loam by
the ASTM Hydrometer method, as shown below:
Texture of Ogdensburg, N. J. Soil
% USDA
Gravel (+2 mm) 11.6
Sand (-1-0.05 mm -2 mm) 48.0 54.1
Silt (+0.005 mm -0.05 mm) 30.4 34.2
Clay (-0.005 mm) 10.0 11.7
USDA. texture classification (without gravel)
is sandy loam
The boxes were thoroughly wetted by sprinkling to abet settling and
allowed to dry by draining to check seepage ports and functioning of
tensiometers.
67
-------
In preparation for applying latex in the soil box experiments, twelve
laboratory soil columns of Ogdensburg soil were reconstructed to 1)
test the permeability behavior of this particular soil and 2) to test
effects of different particle size latexes and levels and methods of
adding surfactant. These tests were carried out by first measuring
water permeability for two weeks and then measuring permeability for an
additional three weeks after applying 40 ml of 2 1/2% latex (1 g solids)
The results are shown in Table XXX. The data show that:
a. Although the soil column permeability was stable for four days
before adding the latex (the "before latex" value is an average
of 4 days results), continued wetting caused further reduction
in permeability (Columns 2, 6, 11).
b. The three latexes which had no surfactant added formed surface
films (Columns 1, 3, 10). Surface films cannot be observed
with ANJ-27-100K latex but their presence is indicated by the
non-wetting behavior of the surface when the first few drops
of water are applied to the column soil (for example see
Column 10).
c. Surface films were also observed in columns 4 and 5 where 10
phr of Tergitol 15-S-12 was applied to the soil before the
latex; however, some latex was eluted.
d. ANJ-27-100K latex seems to become less effective in sealing
efficiency with passage of time (Columns 7, 10, 12).
e. Of those columns treated with latex to which 5 phr Tergitol
was added, only J-1405 latex was eluted through the column
(Column 8). This is probably due to the higher stabilization
of the J-1405 latex. It should be noted that percent reduc-
tion in permeability is based on the 63.9% latex remaining
in the column.
Naugatex J-1405 latex -t- 5 phr Tergitol 15-S-12 surfactant was selected
for the soil box experiment because it had the best balance of elution
and permeability with no surface film. This latex was ordered from
Uniroyal Chemical for the experiment but was received as Naugatex
J-2758, a change in designation only of Naugatex J-1405.
On May 25, 1971, Soil Box #1 was sprinkled with eleven-and-one-half
gallons of 2 1/2% solids J-2758 latex containing five phr of addi-
tional Tergitol 15-S-12 surfactant. This is equivalent to 4000 Ibs.
of rubber per acre. Before the latex was applied the soil was pre-
wetted with eight gallons of water and after application of the latex
eighteen gallons of water was sprinkled on the soil in one gallon
increments on the same date. The latex was readily washed in and left
no surface residue. Concurrently, twenty gallons of water were
sprinkled on Soil Box #2 as a control. Table XXXI is a record of the
68
-------
TABLE XXX
Latex Experiments tn Laboratory Reconstructed Soil Columns of Ogdensburg. H. J. Soil
VD
Columns t
Latex
Surfactant added
latex added (g)
Latex eluted (X)
Surface film
Before Latex
After Latex:
lat week
2nd week
3rd week
1
J-1405
no
0.8
0
evident
85
0.7
1.4
1.9
2
none
no
0
107
88
69
63
3
12301-
02
no
1.0
0
evident
83
0.5
0.8
0.6
4 5
J-1405 B2301-
02
t 10 phr ^
on aoil
1.0 1.0
36.4 34.9
evident evident
Permeability in
69 59
6.8 16
5.7 19
3.2 23
6
none
no
0
ColuB
78
64
53
46
ABU -27-
100K
10 phr
on aoil
1.0
41.6
ras
57
13
22
28
8
9
J-1405 B2301-
02
<_ 5
in
1.0
36.1
75
39
34
33
phr _^
latex
1.0
0
78
32
31
34
10
AHJ-27-
100K
no
1.0
0
82
1.2
6.8
17
11
none
no
0
97
76
63
56
12
ASJ-27-
100K
5 phr in
latex
1.0
0
75
2.6
1.9
21
1 teduction
Before - After
lat week
2nd week
3rd week
99.1
97.5
97.9
17.8
35.5
41.1
99.4
99.0
99.2
90.2
91.7
95.3
73.0
67.9
61.0
18.0
32.1
41.0
77.2
61.4
50.9
58.0
54.7
56.0
59.0
60.3
56.5
98.5
91.9
79.2
21.6
35.0
42.2
96.4
97.5
72.0
* Columns are 2" in diameter and contain a 6" column of soil.
-------
TABU XXXI
Soil Box Water Additions. Soil Tension and Resistance Data
Date
5/24
5/251
5/26
5/27
5/28
5/29
6/1
6/2
6/3
6/4
6/5
6/7
6/8
6/9
6/10
6/11
6/12
6/14
6/15
6/16
6/17
6/18
6/21
6/22
6/23
6/24
6/25
6/26
6/28
6/30
7/2
7/6
Water
Added Tens ioraeters
(gal.) 6"
8 72
18 0
7 0
9 0
6 0
1 0
0 0
0 3
0 5
0 11
13
19
31
47
59
64
622
60
60
60
59
58
8 O3
12 50
7 8
13 2
10 0
2
21
40
78
-
12"
38
41
2
0
0
0
2
4
4
8
8
10
11
15
16
19
33
35
41
43
50
54
68
60
13
6
3
5
9
12
22
72
18"
Box
30
31
3
0
0
0
3
5
6
8
7
10
10
12
10
10
15
16
16
20
25
26
40
26
10
5
4
5
8
8
13
50
(Centibars)
24"
#1
30
25
7
2
3
5
5
6
6
8
8
12
10
10
10
10
12
12
12
16
17
17
28
26
16
8
8
8
9
9
12
40
13
11
10
6
5
6
5
6
6
8
8
11
11
11
11
10
10
10
10
12
13
10
13
13
12
11
10
9
10
10
10
14
48"
12
11
11
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
11
12
12
12
12
11
11
11
11
13
14
11
12
12
11
10
10
10
11
11
11
11
Bouyoucos Block
(Resistance, ft)
930
620
660
690
690
-
700
680
680
-
-
630
620
630
640
650
690
750
790
-
760
820
820
770
740
640
600
630
640
820
2'
500
500
450
460
470
-
480
460
470
-
-
430
420
410
410
410
410
420
440
-
440
420
430
420
420
410
400
410
400
410
4'
360
360
360
360
360
-
360
360
360
-
-
340
330
330
330
330
330
340
340
-
340
340
340
330
330
320
320
320
320
320
1 - 11 1/2 gal. of J-2758 latex was sprinkled on Soil of Box #1 at 2 1/2% Total Solids
2 - At readings between 65 and 85 tenslometers may begin to take in air, making
subsequent readings lower .
3 - Refilled with water
70
-------
TABL£ XXXI (Cont.)
Soil Box Water Additions, Soil Tension and
Date
5/24
5/25
5/26
5/27
5/28
5/29
6/1
6/2
6/3
6/4
6/5
6/7
6/8
6/9
6/10
6/11
6/12
6/14
6/15
6/16
6/17
6/18
6/21
6/22
6/23
6/24
6/25
6/26
6/28
6/30
7/2
7/6
Water Box #2 (Control)
Added T ens lometers (Centibars)
(gal.) 6J1
1
20 0
7 0
9 0
4 0
1 0
3
8
10
15
18
35
43
52
64
74
80
82
82
84
86
831
8 77
12 76
7 5
13 0
10 0
2
9
15
28
72
12"
-
16
6
3
2
0
3
7
6
10
10
14
24
15(?)
17
18
22
24
24
24
26
28
34
30
17
7
7
6
7
8
9
26
18"
-
13
10
4
2
3
5
7
7
10
10
12
13
12
13
13
15
16
16
17
20
18
22
22
19
14
7
8
8
8
10
15
24"
-
10
9
7
7
5
5
6
6
7
7
11
2A
-
-
105
12
12
11
12
14
12
5*
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
_
36"
-
13
11
12
11
10
9
11
11
12
13
16
15
14
14
13
14
14
13
15
16
14
14
14
15
14
14
14
14
14
14
4
Resistance Data
Bouyoucos Blocks
(Resistance, fl)
6"
960
590
610
600
610
-
620
660
610
640
680
720
750
940
1060
1110
1360
2040
1410
630
490
470
550
590
610
930
-21
460
460
460
450
450
-
450
440
440
400
400
400
400
400
400
420
410
400
400
390
390
390
360
370
370
370
Jtl
250
250
250
250
250
-
250
250
240
240
240
240
240
240
240
250
250
250
250
250
250
250
250
250
260
260
4 - Tensiometer water leaked out of tube.
5 - Refilled Tensiometer.
71
-------
amounts of water applied and the responses of the tensiometers and
Bouyoucos resistance blocks to the increase in soil moisture for each
box. Water was sprinkled in one gallon increments intermittently to
each box for several days to May 29 to keep the surface wet, and then
each box was allowed to dry. No significant differences in drying
rates nor water elution were observed between the two soil boxes.
A second wetting cycle was begun on June 21 and concluded on June 25,
a total of fifty gallons of water being added to each box. Again dur-
ing the drying cycle the drying and elution rates were similar.
Because of its location, Soil Box #1 received at least an hour more
exposure to the sun each day; this probably accounts for the somewhat
higher tensiometer readings from June 28 to July 7. In Soil Box #2
the 48 inch tensiometer gave no readings because of a water leak and
the 24 inch tensiometer gave intermittently spurious results.
Permeability tests were performed in the soil boxes by means of eight-
inch diameter, twelve inch long, stove pipes pressed into the soil
eight inches deep. These tests, shown in Table XXXII, indicate that
the latex did not act as a sealant. On the other hand, in laboratory
soil column tests with this soil, J-2758 latex did show sealing action.
The explanation of these anomalous results may be that the drying
cycles caused shrinkage that opened the latex-containing soil to its
natural porosity. High daily temperatures in June caused rapid and
severe drying of the soil at and near the surface.
On June 23 samples of soil from Soil Box #1 were cored in four-inch
sections to 36 inches depth, were oven dried, sieved through a 40 mesh
sieve and oxidized, and analyzed for styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR).
Ninety-two percent of the SBR (0.107% in soil) was found in the top
four inches, eight percent (0.009% in soil) was found in the four-to-
eight inch depth; none was detected below this depth. The Ogdensburg
soil used in this experiment is a rather open soil, characterized as a
sandy loam, so penetration was expected to be better, i.e. deeper,
than the above values. The poorer penetration of the latex in the soil
box as compared to field application at Lanse suggests that much of the
latex in the field penetrated into the soil by means of macro-cracks,
worm holes, etc., and not through the capillaries of the soil. The
lack of such macro-paths in the soil box and the method of packing the
soil in the box (tamping every two to three inches of soil with a five-
foot long 2x4 board) evidently restricted the downward flow of latex.
72
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TABLE XXXII
Date
July 16/?7/
July 19
July 22
July 23
Soil Box Permeability Tests
Box #1
Locat ion
1
1
2
3
Time
(min.)
6
7
8
8
8
8
8
9
5
5
5
5
6
5.5
10
11
11
10
10.5
Permeability
(cc./min./cm*)
0.257
0.221
0.193
0.193
0.193
0.193
0.193
0.163
0.308
0.308
0.308
0.308
0.258
0.280
0.154
0.141
0.141
0.154
0.147
Box t2 (Control)
Time
(min.)
8
8
9
9
10
10.5
10
10.5
9
10
10
10
10
12
5
8
8
8
8
Permeability
(cc./min./cnr)
0.193
0.193
0.163
0.163
0.154
0.147
0.154
0.147
0.163
0.154
0.154
0.154
0.154
0.129
0.308
0.193
0.193
0.193
0.193
Average
7.7
0.216
9.1
0.174
500 cc. water was placed on soil in 8" diameter stovepipe 12" long
pressed into soil 8" deep, and time recorded to disappearance of
water.
73
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SECTION XII
COSTS
Table XXXIII itemizes the cost associated with the installation of an
irrigation system and the application of latex and water in the three
experimental areas at Lanse. There were no external labor charges (non-
Research Center) except for the installation of the water meter. Cost
of pipe and fitting are high because long lines were required at each
of the three different locations; these costs were minimized by using
plastic instead of metal pipe. Fifteen of the seventeen drums of latex
received were used, five drums for each area.
TABLE XXXIII
Irrigation Cost at Lanse
Equipment;
Moyno pump $ 355.00
Moyno pump (lease spare) 15% of purchase price 53.25
Pipe and fittings 900.00
Flow control valves 22.00
Sprinkler heads 156.60
Garden hose (3/4" heavy) 300 ft 75.60
1,562.45
Raw Materials:
Latex J-3471, 3500 Ibs @ $0.34/lb (dry basis) 1,190.00
Water, 75,000 gal. - June 1 to July 1 42.50
Other Charges
Water meter installation 70.71
Deposit on water meter $85.00
U-Haul rental trailer 26.26
Neutron gauge measurements 6/10-9/10 by
P.S.U. personnel 1,836.00
In tank-car lots latex would cost about $0.25/lb so that raw material
cost for a 4000 Ib /acre application would be in the range of $1,000
per acre. Equipment costs for setting up and irrigation are sensitive
to size of area to be irrigated, design of system, and availability
and cost of water. A realistic range is estimated to be between
$200-500/acre.
75
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SECTION XIII
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
This report was prepared by Jacob Tolsma and Arnold N. Johnson of the
Uniroyal Research Center, Wayne, New Jersey.
The valuable assistance and suggestions of the project officers,
Mr. Ronald D. Hill, Dr. David R. Maneval and Mr. John J. Buscavage
is gratefully acknowledged.
The authors are grateful to the following Uniroyal personnel:
Mr. Daniel Shichman, manager of Engineering Research, and Dr. Emmanuel
G. Kontos, manager of the Polymer Physics Research for their direction,
encouragement and suggestions regarding the experimental work, and Mr.
Mark Olson for the design of the hollow auger soil sampler.
We also wish to gratefully acknowledge the efforts and contributions
of ideas proposed by our consultants, Dr. Frank T. Caruccio, assistant
professor of geology at State University College, New Paltz, New York,
and Dr. Pa Ho Hsu, associate professor of soil chemistry, Rutgers
University, New Brunswick, New Jersey.
77
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SECTION XIV
REFERENCES
1. ''Abandoned Pits Problem: Mine Acid Clean-Steam Block", Pittsburgh
Press, Harrisburg Bureau 2/30/69.
2. "Chemical Conditioners Upgrade Soil Quality", News Feature Chem.
Eng., October 21, 1968 p. 66, 68, 70.
3. Trade Bulletin, "Soil Stabilization", International Synthetic
Rubber Co., Ltd., England.
4. Phillips Petroset Emulsions. Rubber Age, July 1969 p. 118.
5. W. T. Gooding, et al., "Soil Sealing Chemicals and Techniques",
U. S. Dept. of Interior, Res. and Dev. Report #381, p. 19.
6. L. M. Ellsperman, W. R. Morrison, "Asphaltic Membranes for Water
Seepage Control", ACS Symposium on New Uses for Asphalt, Atlantic
City, Preprint JL3 #4. Division of Petroleum Chemistry pp. C133-163.
7. C. M. Hansen "The Use of Asphalt to Increase Water Holding Capacity
of Droughty Soils", Ibid pp. Cl64-169.
8. C. W. Hayden and Wm. H. Heineman, "A Hand-Operated Undisturbed Core
Sampler", Soil Science ^06 #2,153-6 (1968).
9. Supplied by Pfaltz & Bauer, Inc., 126-04 Northern Blvd., Flushing,
New York.
10. Mention of commercial products does not imply endorsement by the
Federal Water Pollution Control Administration.
11. Perma-Flex CMC Blak-Tufy, The Perma-Flex Mold Company,
1919 E. Livingston Ave., Columbus, Ohio 43209.
12. H. L. Dalis, Inc., Long Island City, New York
Size FT-221-2 for 1-7/8 inch diameter cores (thin wall samples)
Size FT-221-3 for 2-3/4 inch diameter cores (hollow auger)
13. J. A. Bondurant. Soil Science 107, No. 1, 70 January (1969).
14. Dow Chemical Company, Midland, Michigan.
15. Procedures for Testing Soils, 4th ed. Dec. 1964. Published by
Amer. Soc. for Testing Materials Committee D18, Phila., Pa. p 76.
16. Ibid. p. 95.
17. Ibid. p. 92.
79
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18. Procedures for Testing Soils, 4th ed. Dec. 1964. Published by
Amer. Soc. for Testing Materials Committee D18, Phila., Pa. p. 107.
19. Ibid. p. 109.
20. Ibid. p. 85.
21. Firman E. Bear, "Chemistry of the Soil", Reinhold Publ. Company
(1964) p. 497.
22. Helmut Kohnke, Soil Physics, McGraw Hill (1968) p. 129-131.
23. W. T. Gooding, Feasibility Study of Chemical Sealing of Soils,
Research and Development progress Report No. 226, U. S. Dept.
of the Interior, June 1967.
24. A polyvinyl methyl ether supplied by General Aniline & Film as
a viscous 50% aqueous solution.
25. B. A. Hunter, and B. Von Schmeling, U. S. Patent No. 3,411,939
to Uniroyal, Inc., Nov. 19, 1968.
26. Rubber Age, July 1969, pp. 118.
27. R. H. Karol, Soils and Soil Engineering, Prentice-Hall, Inc.
ch 17 (1960).
28. E. Higashimura et al., U. S. Patent 3,417,567, Ex. 5 Mitsubishi
Rayon Co., Ltd., Dec. 24, 1968.
29. W. W. Agey, Reduction of Seepage Losses from Canals by Chemical
Sealants, Report #7584, U. S. Dept. of Interior, Bu. of Mines
(1965).
30. J. Letey, Soil Sc. Soc. Amer. Proc., 33 No. 1 149 (Jan., Feb. 1969)
J. Letey, Soil Sc. 93 149-153 (1962).
31. K. G. Phillips et al., U. S. Patent No. 3,379,014 to Nalco Chemical
Co., April 23, 1968.
32. A. N. Puri, Soils, Their Physics and Chemistry, Reinhold Publish-
ing Corp., New York, N. Y. p. 94-99 (1949).
33. J. F. Parr, Soil Science 107 No. 2 94 (Feb. 1969).
34. J. B. Decoste, Ind. Eng. Chem. Prod. Res. Development, _7 (4)
(Dec. 1968).
35. Yasunori Nishijima, Reports on Progress in Polymer Physics in
Japan VIII 139 (1965).
36. David E. Hill, Percolation Testing for Septic Tank Drainage,
Bulletin #678, Connecticut Agricultural Expt. Sta., New Haven (1966).
80
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SECTION XV
GLOSSARY
A Horizon - the surface layer of a mineral soil having maximum biolog-
ical activation; commonly referred to as topsoil.
A Profile - the topsoil layer (synonymous with A Horizon)
Atterberg limits - a measure of the workability or consistency of the
soil as affected by the water content. The limits are defined by
the water contents required to produce specified degrees of con-
sistency that are measured in the laboratory (see liquid limit,
plastic limit and plastic index).
B Horizon - the subsoil below the A Horizon topsoil.
Bouyoucos block - an instrument for measuring the water content of soil
based on dielectic conductivity.
B Profile - the subsoil (synonymous with B Horizon).
Cation exchange capacity (CEC) - the sum of the chemically exchange-
able cations of a soil.
Darcy Value (K) - a coefficient of permeability to correlate effects of
column height, head and diameter
K -
K hA
where K «• hydraulic conductivity (ft/day)
L = length of soil column (ft)
h = effective head (ft)
A = cross sectional area (ft^)
Q = quantity discharged (ft^/day)
Fragipan - a type of subsurface soil structure having a relatively high
bulk density. It is cement-like when dry and very slowly perme-
able to water.
Latex - an aqueous dispersion of finely divided rubber or plastic
materials of medium to high molecular weight. Stability is con-
trolled by use of surfactants, typically a mixture of anionic and
non-ionic materials.
Liquid limit - the water content (%) at which soil becomes semi-fluid,
like softened butter, as measured by a standard ASTM procedure.
81
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GLOSSARY (Contd.)
Mariott feed bottle - a device for maintaining a constant liquid level
above a soil column during percolation testing.
Montraorillonite - a specific type of clay soil (hydrous aluminum
silicate).
Permeability - a measure of the readiness with which the soil permits
the passage of water through a unit cross-section.
Permeameter tube - a thin-walled open-ended tube used to perform in
situ measurements of soil permeability. The tube is pressed
into the soil for part of its length, a measured amount of
water is placed in the tube and the time required for the
disappearance of this water is taken as a measure of soil
permeability. Eight-inch-diameter, twelve-inch-long stove
pipes, inserted eight inches into the soil, were used as
permeameter tubes for much of the present work.
Piezometer tube - a tube placed in the ground to establish the
location of the water table. An open-ended tube is driven into
the ground, then withdrawn, the soil core removed, and the empty
tube reinserted in the hole.
Plastic index - the difference between liquid and plastic limits. It
gives an indication of the "clayeyness" or plasticity of a soil
and is widely used in engineering classification for soils.
Plastic limit - the water content (70) at which soil begins to crumble
on being rolled into a thread 1/8 inch in diameter. It represents
the lowest water content at which soil can be deformed readily
without cracking.
Porosity - the ratio of volume of voids to the total volume of a given
mass of soil.
PVC - a homopolymer of vinyl chloride.
SBR - a rubber copolymer of styrene and butadiene.
Surfactant - a chemical which will reduce the surface tension of
aqueous solutions. There are three classes, namely, anionic,
cationic, and non-ionic.
Tensiometer - an instrument combining a manometer and a porous membrane
for measuring soil water suction.
VA - a homopolymer of vinyl acetate.
82
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APPENDIX
ANALYTICAL METHOD TO DETERMINE STYRENE -BUTADIENE RUBBER IN SOIL
Sample Preparation
Soil cores are cut in the field in 4-inch depth increments, dried,
ground and sieved through a 40 mesh screen and weighed.
Polymer Oxidation and Separation from Soil
Crosslinked styrene -butadiene rubber (SBR) is insoluble in most sol-
vents. The purpose of oxidizing the SBR in the soil is to render it
soluble in chloroform. Twenty grams of soil containing SBR is weighed
into a 125 ml erlenmeyer flask. Fifty milliliters (ml ) of chloroform,
15 ml of t-butyl hydroperoxide, and 2.5 ml of 17. osmium tetroxide in
benzene are added. A one -inch magnetic stirrer is placed in the flask,
the flask is stoppered and the contents are stirred overnight on a mag-
netic stirrer at room temperature. Overnight stirring has proved ade-
quate to give reproducible results .
The oxidized chloroform soluble portion is separated from the soil by
filtering through a #1 Whatman filter into a 500 ml vacuum flask. The
soil is washed four or five times with additional chloroform. The
chloroform filtrate is air dried by evaporating the chloroform in a
small beaker in a hood and subsequently dried to constant weight in a
vacuum dessicator.
Concurrent with the analysis of samples of unknown SBR concentration,
a known amount (for this work 15 mg was used) of the same SBR in 20 g
of a soilblank should be run as a standard in triplicate.
Infrared Analysis
A portion of the oxidized, thoroughly dried residue is ground with and
pressed into a KBr pellet and the characteristic peak at 700 cm"1 is
measured. The equivalent optical density (O.D.) of the standard is
measured and a specific O.D. per mg is calculated.
Then the mg. of SBR in the sample soil is calculated as follows:
(O.D. of sample) (total MR residue) + O.D^ Qf standard = mg of SBR
mg of sample in pellet mg £ sample
ma of SBR in sample =
mg of soil
83
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Comments
It has been found that a very dark or black residue indicates that the
oxidation has been too severe and invariably gives low results. It is
therefore important to do the drying at room temperature as well as
the oxidations.
The soil oxidation products contribute to the residue weight at 0-4"
and 4-8" depths, but do not appear to influence the optical density
of the styrene peak at 700 cm"*-.
The oxidized residue is partially insoluble in carbon disulfide, making
necessary the imbibation of solid residue into a well mixed KBr pellet,
rather than the less tedious method of infrared analysis in solution.
84
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1
5
,4 cr r.s.s ion Number
2
.Snbj'fc / I- it-lit & Group
0 5G
SELECTED WATER RESOURCES ABSTRACTS
INPUT TRANSACTION FORM
Organization
Uniroyal, Inc.
Research Center
Wayne, New Jersey 07470
Title
Use of Latex as a Soil Sealant to Control Acid Mine Drainage
1 0 Aulhorfs)
Tolsma, Jacob
Johnson, Arnold N.
1
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