Work

Research on the Improvement of Water Retention, Anti-Erosion and Mechanical Properties of Aeolian Sand Slopes Under the Synergistic Effect of Xanthan Gum and Water Retention Agents

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Aeolian sand slopes in the Fugu area of Yulin, Shaanxi Province, China, are prone to rainfall-induced erosion because of the loose structure and low water-holding capacity of the sand, which constrains long-term, sustainable ecological restoration. To address this, aeolian sand was amended with xanthan gum (XG) and a superabsorbent polymer (SAP) and combined with a honeycomb confinement system; evaporation, 70 mm·h−1 rainfall–erosion, and direct shear tests were carried out. SAP increased the 24 h water content of untreated sand from 1.8% to about 20–22%, while excessive SAP led to surface cracking. XG strengthened interparticle bonding and reduced 60 min cumulative erosion from about 53 kg to <0.5 kg (reduction > 99%) and improved shear strength. Within the practically recommended range (XG 0.5–1.0%, SAP ≤ 0.25%), XG and SAP showed water-supply-improving and surface-strengthening effects that effectively covered the early-stage vegetation protection gap, i.e., the period before vegetation becomes dense enough to resist raindrop impact and runoff erosion. The results provide laboratory support for sustainable, nature-based stabilization of aeolian sand slopes in semi-arid engineering areas.

Source: Sustainability

DOI: 10.3390/su172310441

Authors: Niandong Deng, Xuejian Bai, Chong Xu, Yixuan Liang, Zhuxin Mao, Ming Bai

Institutions: Xi'an University of Science and Technology, Xi'an Botanical Garden of Shaanxi Province, Huanghe Science and Technology College

Language: English

Topic: Geotechnical Engineering and Soil Stabilization

Subfield: Civil and Structural Engineering

Field: Engineering

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDG: Life on land

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,896