Evaluating the Effectiveness of Polyvinyl-Based Polymers for Soil Surface Stabilization: A Comprehensive Study

One of the global environmental issues, particularly prevalent in Iran, is wind and dust erosion. To address this issue, different approaches including physical, chemical, and biological methods have been proposed. In this study, chemical polymers in various formulations were utilized for soil stabilization. The experiments were conducted under controlled indoor conditions using a wind tunnel. Three polymers—polyvinyl alcohol-1, polyvinyl alcohol-2, and polyvinyl acetate—were combined with nanoclay and calcium carbonate and applied to 30×30×3 cm soil trays at a rate of 2 L m -2 . After a 30-day drying period, soil loss, penetration resistance, layer thickness, and aggregate stability were measured in three replicates. Tests were performed at a wind speed of 15.6 m s -1 , monitored with a hot wire anemometer. Penetration resistance was recorded every 24 hours using a Mortar Penetration Resistance Apparatus, and aggregate stability was assessed using wet sieving with eight sieve sizes ranging from 2.000 to 0.046 mm. The results demonstrated that the type of polymer used significantly influenced soil loss, penetration resistance, and aggregate stability. In general, the application of the polymer formulations led to a decrease in soil loss compared to the control treatment. Polyvinyl alcohol-1 exhibited the highest stability, while polyvinyl acetate showed the highest penetration resistance. The formulations F8PVAC, F 8 PVA 1 , and the control treatment resulted in the highest rates of plant growth, with germination percentages of 78%, 69%, and 95% respectively. Based on the findings, the use of F 8 PVAC and F 8 PVA 1 formulations is recommended as ideal options for field-scale applications due to their environmental friendliness and high penetration resistance. The applied polyvinyl-based polymers stabilized the soil by bonding particles, reducing porosity, and forming cohesive membranes, which enhanced penetration resistance, minimized soil loss, and improved aggregate stability. These long-chain macromolecules wrap around soil aggregates, creating elastic and viscous structures that gradually increase compressive strength. By bridging and binding particles, polymers form a robust three-dimensional network, enhancing overall soil stability and erosion resistance. Further research, including field-scale studies, is needed to confirm their practical effectiveness.