ASSESSING THE IMPACT OF PNEUMATIC AIR FRACTURING AND AIR SPADING WITH BIOCHAR ON URBAN SOILS FOR ENHANCED STORMWATER TREATMENT
Date
2025-05
Authors
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Publisher
University of Delaware
Abstract
Urban soils are often greatly impacted by soil compaction, leading to
detrimental soil conditions. Two methods of de-compacting the soil, pneumatic air
fracturing and air spading were used to treat compacted soils at an urban park in
Washington D.C. The effects of these two techniques were evaluated over a six-month
period. The soil infiltration rate, saturated hydraulic conductivity, and penetration
resistance were measured over the course of three separate field visits as an indication
of the compaction of the soil. It was found that pneumatic air fracturing had a
measurable effect on penetration resistance, and therefore soil compaction, at certain
areas within the site. However, air spading had no measurable effect on penetration
resistance anywhere at the site. In order to determine the impact of either treatment on
infiltration rate or saturated hydraulic conductivity, more field data is required. Future
work will be conducted in June 2025 and every six months beyond to continue to
monitor the site.