Soil erosion is the process by which soil is worn away by wind, water, or other agents. It is a natural process, but human activities such as deforestation, overgrazing, and poor agricultural practices can accelerate it significantly.
As topsoil erodes, the soil's ability to retain water and nutrients diminishes, reducing crop yields. Innovative solutions can help protect ground layers and improve soil health to combat soil erosion and ensure sustainable agriculture.
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Find out more on what causes soil erosion?
Key Technologies Addressing Soil Erosion
Soil Stabilization Methods
Bioengineering techniques, such as planting vegetation on slopes and using biodegradable materials to reinforce soil, can help stabilize soil and prevent erosion. Geotextiles, synthetic or natural fabrics, can also reinforce soil, improve drainage, and filter water.
It is important to highlight that bioengineering techniques can help prevent erosion, but solutions where vegetation is not established may be sensitive to climatological conditions.1 Therefore, when used in conjunction with sustainable agricultural practices, these technologies can help mitigate soil erosion and protect our environment.
Smart Agriculture
Precision farming tools, such as GPS-guided tractors and drones, allow farmers to apply fertilizers and pesticides more precisely, reducing the risk of runoff and soil erosion.
Data-driven methods such as machine learning algorithms (e.g., Random Forest, Support Vector Machine, Artificial Neural Networks), ensemble models, and fuzzy multi-criteria decision-making approaches are effective in predicting and preventing soil erosion. For instance, the SSAO-MARS method, which combines machine learning and meta-heuristic algorithms, can predict soil erosion susceptibility with a classification accuracy rate of roughly 96%.2 By combining these technologies with sustainable farming practices, farmers can reduce erosion risks and improve overall soil health.
Innovative Materials
Polymer-based soil binding agents can be effective in stabilizing soil, particularly in areas prone to erosion. Polymer-based soil binding agents, like interpolyelectrolyte complexes (IPCs), can effectively suppress water and wind erosion, even preventing the spread of radioactive particles from contaminated sites.3 Moreover, polyacrylamide (PAM) and polysaccharide polymers can reduce runoff, effectively control sheet erosion, and promote soil aggregates due to their ability to bind and stabilize soil particles.4
Nonetheless, synthetic materials may rise environmental concerns. Sustainable alternatives, such as biopolymers derived from renewable sources like plants or bacteria, might offer a more environmentally friendly approach. These biopolymers can potentially bind soil particles together, improve soil structure, and enhance water retention, contributing to soil stabilization and erosion control.
Why The World Is Running Out Of Soil
Applications and Benefits
Bioengineering and geotextiles have diverse applications across various sectors. In agriculture, bioengineering techniques can help stabilize slopes and prevent soil erosion, while geotextiles can improve drainage and filter water.
TerraFirma specializes in bioengineering solutions for soil stabilization, erosion control, and ecological restoration. This company has improved project foundations for more than 52,000,000 m2 area worldwide, providing turn-key solutions to every project, including site preparation and soil improvement in addition to roads and infrastructure.5
TenCate woven geotextiles are versatile materials used in various civil engineering applications. Initially employed to repair storm damage along coastlines, they have expanded to a wide range of uses, including road construction, embankment reinforcement, and hydraulic structures.
These geotextiles serve as separation and filter layers, allowing groundwater to permeate while preventing soil erosion. Additionally, they can reinforce soil structures, offering high tensile strength, low elongation, and minimal creep to ensure long-lasting performance and stability.6
Environmental restoration
Environmental restoration is a crucial endeavor aimed at revitalizing degraded ecosystems. Plant covers are particularly effective for erosion control and regeneration of degraded soil, conserving soil, water, energy, and biological resources.7
Innovative techniques are being employed to rehabilitate damaged riverbanks and coastal areas. By implementing innovative approaches, environmental restoration projects can achieve significant progress in mitigating the impacts of human activities and restoring the ecological balance of these vital ecosystems.
Bio-Engineering Solutions (BES) is a company committed to providing technical solutions that protect the environment and public health. Their services cater to industrial water treatment needs and energy generation, ensuring sustainable and efficient operations.8
This company provides strategies for environmental restoration projects, such as riverbank stabilization, coastal protection, and mine site reclamation. Its approach often involves using vegetation, wood, and other natural materials to create sustainable and resilient ecosystems.
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Conclusion
Adopting innovative technologies to combat soil erosion is crucial for protecting ecosystems and ensuring sustainable agriculture.
These technologies, such as bioengineering, geotextiles, precision farming, and biopolymers, offer effective and environmentally friendly solutions to mitigate soil erosion and improve soil health.
By exploiting these technologies, we can reduce human activities' negative environmental impacts, conserve valuable resources, and safeguard the future of our planet.
References
- Vianna, V., Fleury, M., Menezes, G., Coelho, A., Bueno, C., Da Silva, L., & Luz, M. (2020). Bioengineering Techniques Adopted for Controlling Riverbanks’ Superficial Erosion of the Simplício Hydroelectric Power Plant, Brazil. Sustainability. https://doi.org/10.3390/SU12197886.
- Vu, D., Tran, X., Cao, M., Tran, T., & Hoang, N. (2020). Machine learning based soil erosion susceptibility prediction using social spider algorithm optimized multivariate adaptive regression spline. Measurement, 164, 108066. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.measurement.2020.108066.
- Zezin, A., Mikheikin, S., Rogacheva, V., Zansokhova, M., Sybachin, A., & Yaroslavov, A. (2015). Polymeric stabilizers for protection of soil and ground against wind and water erosion. Advances in colloid and interface science, 226 Pt A, 17-23. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cis.2015.06.006.
- Lu, S., Wang, Z., Hu, Y., Liu, B., & Liu, J. (2018). Effectiveness and Durability of Polyacrylamide (PAM) and Polysaccharide (Jag C 162) in Reducing Soil Erosion under Simulated Rainfalls. Water, 10, 257. https://doi.org/10.3390/W10030257.
- https://www.terrafirmage.com/about-us. Accessed 30 November 2024.
- https://www.tencategeo.eu/en/products/woven-geotextiles. Accessed 30 November 2024.
- Zuazo, V., & Pleguezuelo, C. (2008). Soil-erosion and runoff prevention by plant covers. A review. Agronomy for Sustainable Development, 28, 65-86. https://doi.org/10.1051/agro:2007062.
- https://www.bioenggsolutions.co.in/. Accessed 30 November 2024.
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