Effects of anti-dust agents on soil chemicals at margin of forest roads

Dust is occurred when a vehicle passes from the dry surface of unpaved roads. Dust particles can affects negatively on plant growth, water quality and road life. In this study the effects of some environmental friendly anti-dust agents including different dosage of sugarcane molasses, polyacrylamide and bentonite were investigated on road dust control. Research was done in 3, 9, 27 and 81-dat time frame.

Rear-mounted solution spray system equipped with 8 nozzles was used for implementation of treatments in rate of 2-2.5 l m-2 in three sites in forests of Golestan provinces including Loveh, Kouhmian and Shastkalateh. Besides, dust sucker instrument was applied to collect dust particles. Data were collected when a vehicle is passed with speed of 40 km h-1. Moreover, soil samples were collected from the margin of forest roads to measure the changes in soil Na, K, Ca and Mg due to washing.

Results showed that dust of forest roads decrease with increasing the anti-dust agent concentration and increased with time. In Loveh forest roads, polyacrylamide with concentration of 6% and sugarcane molasses with concentration of 20% were the most appropriate treatments. Bentonite was unsuitable due to the high amount of fines in surfacing materials. In Kouhmian forest roads, polyacrylamide with concentration of 4% and sugarcane molasses with concentration of 20% and in Shastkalateh forest roads, polyacrylamide with concentration of 2% was the most appropriate treatments. Bentonite increased the Mg and pH and Molasses increased the K and decreased the pH of soil at margin of forest roads. In other cases, there wasn’t a significant effect from the treatments on chemical properties of soil at margin of road. In Kouhmian forest roads, polyacrylamide with concentration of 4% and sugarcane molasses with concentration of 20% and in Shastkalateh forest roads, polyacrylamide with concentration of 2% was the most appropriate treatments. Bentonite increased the Mg and pH and Molasses increased the K and decreased the pH of soil at margin of forest roads. In other cases, there wasn’t a significant effect from the treatments on chemical properties of soil at margin of road.

Base on findings, sugarcane molasses in roads with high fine particles was most efficient, but in roads with low fine particles polyacrylamide was most efficient. These additive materials hadn’t significant effects on adjacent soil chemicals due to their low amount.Base on findings, sugarcane molasses in roads with high fine particles was most efficient, but in roads with low fine particles polyacrylamide was most efficient. These additive materials hadn’t significant effects on adjacent soil chemicals due to their low amount.