Effect of Different Exposure Conditions on Alkali Contaminated Kaolinitic Clays: A Micro Level Investigation

Rapid industrialization, have led to the release of various pollutants into natural ecosystems. Soil often gets contaminated with variety of chemical pollutants. One such chemical is alkali, which has a negative impact on the behaviour of soils, affecting the foundations of the structures built on them. The current research attempted to replicate the long run effects of caustic alkali on kaolinitic clays. This allowed mineralogical and morphological aspects of the clays under consideration to be analyzed at the particle level interaction, so that remedial measures can be taken at an early stage. Two kaolinitic clays red earth and kaolin and chemical caustic alkali of 4N NaOH were selected for the study. An initiatory investigation is conducted by varying experimental conditions. XRD and SEM investigations are carried out to better understand the particle level interaction and mechanism. Micro level studies revealed that the new mineral formations differed with the type of soil as well as experimental conditions. In addition to neogenic formations, long run effects of exposure to NaOH can be replicated instantly by exposing to higher temperatures.