EGU21-12868
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu21-12868
EGU General Assembly 2021
© Author(s) 2023. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.

Impacts of nano-clay addition to soils: a meta-analysis

Grace Maddox1, Stephen Bell1, and Carles Barriocanal1,2
Grace Maddox et al.
  • 1Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona, Institut de Ciencia i Tecnologia Ambiental, Barcelona, Spain (graceginn.maddox@e-campus.uab.cat)
  • 2Universitat de Barcelona, Geography Department, Barcelona, Spain

Nano-sized clay particles exhibit unique physicochemical properties within soil matrices relevant to several areas of applied environmental sciences. The amendment of soils with nano-clays in field, lab, and greenhouse settings has been increasingly studied over recent decades from various disciplinary perspectives. In general, nano-clay as a soil amendment is seen as a potentially effective and economically feasible method for managing soil resources. However, no comprehensive review and quantification of the impacts of nano-clay amendment on soil physical, chemical, and biological properties has been undertaken, which limits its uptake and application. Here, we provide a review of the impacts of nano-clay addition in soil, using a meta-analytical approach considering soil health parameters (e.g., organic carbon, water retention, cation exchange, pH, pollutant concentration). Preliminary results synthesizing field and lab experiments indicate a wide range of positive effect sizes across key soil properties, with only limited benefits occurring in specific cases. Our results highlight the significant potential of nano-clay as a soil amendment in diverse applications, especially when coupled with the economic and logistical suitability of nano-clay amendment globally.

How to cite: Maddox, G., Bell, S., and Barriocanal, C.: Impacts of nano-clay addition to soils: a meta-analysis, EGU General Assembly 2021, online, 19–30 Apr 2021, EGU21-12868, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu21-12868, 2021.

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