Published Paper Details:

Fertilizer contamination of soil is occurred due to application of fertilizer to soil for plant growth. It percolates steadily into subsurface environments and contaminates the soil and water system. One of the major contaminant sources is agricultural field. The extensive use of fertilizers contaminates the soil and the contamination has not just affected the quality of the soil but will also alter the geotechnical properties of soil and quality of ground water. The large amounts of carbamide (urea) fertilizers which are used in agricultural activities in India leads to the contamination of large quantities of soil surrounding the agricultural fields. An extensive laboratory testing program is carried out to determine the compaction characteristics, hydraulic conductivity, and shear strength parameters of uncontaminated and contaminated soils for comparison. Two types of soils are used including fine to medium sand and clay. Contaminated specimens are prepared by mixing the dried soil samples with different carbamide concentrations of 2,4,6 and 8%. Based on the laboratory tests it is found that a considerable effect occurred on the hydraulic, compaction and shear strength characteristics of soil due to the application of carbamide in it. These soils might be used for geotechnical purposes and the results obtained will benefit to engineers or decision makers in recycling or re-using of contaminated soils.