Effect of a Lignin-Based Hydrogel on Bulk Density, Particle Density and Porosity of Water-Repellent Sandy Soils

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Authors
Vitková, Justina ORCID logo 0000-0003-4192-9724
Szewczuk-Karpisz, Katarzyna ORCID logo 0000-0002-8682-3491
Siryk, Olena ORCID logo 0000-0002-1961-7700
Grygorczuk- Płaneta, Katarzyna ORCID logo 0000-0001-9134-0112
Kukowska-Superson, Sylwia ORCID logo 0000-0001-6109-8978
Kwayela Sama, Desmond ORCID logo 0000-0001-5172-3485
Kaczor, Monika ORCID logo 0000-0003-0552-8595
Bulak, Piotr ORCID logo 0000-0002-0611-002X
Peth, Stephan ORCID logo 0000-0001-9799-212X
Šurda, Peter ORCID logo 0000-0002-1367-9820
Date
2026-08
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Abstract
Prolonged periods of drought are becoming an increasingly frequent global phenomenon, highlighting the need for soil amendments capable of improving soil water availability and gradually releasing soil water into the soil environment. In this study, we investigated the effects of a lignin-based hydrogel as a potential soil amendment for water-repellent sandy soils. As only a limited number of studies have examined the effects of hydrogels on water-repellent soils, this research provides novel insights into their potential to modify the physical properties of such soils. Our results demonstrated that hydrogel application had a statistically significant effect on all three investigated water-repellent sandy soils: it decreased bulk density and increased total porosity. However, particle density responses differed among the three soils, indicating that the effect of hydrogel on this parameter was soil texture-dependent. The results did not provide conclusive evidence that the long-term presence of hydrogel significantly altered the soil physical properties investigated. Overall, the findings indicate that lignin-based hydrogel can modify the physical structure of water-repellent sandy soils, particularly by reducing bulk density and increasing porosity, while its effects on particle density and the persistence of these changes over time may depend on soil-specific characteristics.
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hydrogel  water-repellency  sandy soils
Citation
Vitková, J., Szewczuk-Karpisz, K., Sirik, O., Grygorczuk- Płaneta, K., Kukowska-Superson, S., Kwayela Sama, D., Kaczor, M., Bulak, P., Peth, S., & Šurda, P. (2026). Effect of a Lignin-Based Hydrogel on Bulk Density, Particle Density and Porosity of Water-Repellent Sandy Soils [Submitted Manuscript under Review]. https://open.icm.edu.pl/handle/123456789/27035
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https://open.icm.edu.pl/handle/123456789/27035
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