SYNTHETIC MACRONET HYDROPHILIC POLYMERS AS SOIL CONDITIONERS .1. KINETIC CHARACTERIZATION OF MACRONET SULFONATED POLYSTYRENE RESINS

Polystyrene-based macronet polymers, bearing ionic groups on their chains, have shown properties that can characterize them as soil conditioners. This study is based on their capability to retain water in their structure in amounts that equal many times the polymer's dry weight. The kinetics of water retention indicated that the velocity with which they act in polymer-soil systems is hi-h. The water capacity as well as the apparent density of the polymer-soil mixtures was determined. At the same time, the performance of these mixtures was identified using soil column experiments under free water flow. The final values for the mixtures' water capacity were found to depend on the swelling ratio and the water capacity of the polymer itself.