Physicochemical Properties of Depth-based Soil on the Reclaimed Dredging Area

임해준설매립지 토양의 깊이별 이화학적 특성

Through analyzing the specific physicochemical alterations in depth-based soil at reclaimed dredging area, the baseline data were provided for developing the reclaimed dredging area as natural landscape planting sites and ecological-landscape sites based on the soil improvement technology. There was no physical disturbance for 15 to 20 years in Gwangyang Bay reclaimed dredging area after reclamation. Physicochemical examinations of the soil were performed based on the vertical depth. Results of physicochemical analysis such as pH, electric conductivity, total salt contents, silt, clay contents, available phosphorus, calcium, magnesium, sodium, chlorine, and sodium-adsorption ratio showed increasing patterns with the depth while total organic contents, total nitrogen, and sand showed decreasing patterns. Potassium as an exchangeable cation, showed similar distribution patterns between the shallow and deep soil. This result strongly implied that long-term exposure to natural rainfall in reclaimed dredging area altered soil characteristics related to salinity. This research demonstrated that there were no remarkable differences in physicochemical characteristics at soil depth and groundwater table height, suggesting a baseline data for developing reclaimed dredging area. Additional investigation is required for different reclaimed dredging areas. Also, additional monitoring and examination are need on plant communities and time variable alteration in the soil to test the feasibility of reclaimed dredging areas as natural landscape planting sites and ecological-landscape sites.