Effect of Sodium Chloride on Plasticity, Swelling, and Compressibility Characteristics of Organo-Nanoclay Amended Bentonite

Compacted layers of soil and bentonites have been employed as hydraulic barriers in waste containment applications. They are effective in preventing leachate from reaching the surrounding soil and groundwater. However, in the presence of inorganic salts, heavy metals, and organic contaminants in the leachates, the properties of the liner material change, limiting its effectiveness as a liner material. Researchers have demonstrated that organoclays can effectively control and adsorb organic pollutants from wastewater and leachates. Hence, bentonite amended with organoclay can be used effectively as a liner material. The effect of a common inorganic salt in leachates, NaCl, on the geotechnical properties of organo-nanoclay amended bentonite is examined in this work. A series of tests were conducted using NaCl solutions at concentrations of 0 (DI water), 0.1, and 1N, and its influence on organoclay amended bentonite was investigated using free swell test, Atterberg limit’s test and consolidation test. The experiments’ outcomes showed that adding organoclay reduces salts’ effect on its liquid limit, plasticity index, free swelling, swelling potential, and compressibility of bentonite.