The magazine MAQ December 2019 January 2020 | Page 181

MAQ Magazine n. 16 / January 2020

Improving the Quality of Soil

It has been reported that hydrogels, nano-clays, and nano zeolites enhance the water holding capacity of the soil and allow a slow release of water. This, in turn, reduces the hydric shortage, particularly during the crop season. Such practices are also helpful in the reforestation of degraded areas that have lost their soil fertility.

Besides, organic materials like polymer and carbon nanotubes as well as inorganic elements like nano metals and metal oxides can be used to absorb the contaminants thereby improving the soil remediation capacity and reducing the time and cost involved.