This study analyzed physico-chemical characteristics of soils and soil profile on planting ground in planting site for landscape tree located in Incheon International Airport(IIA) which opened on 29th, March of 2001, with an aim to provide basic mater...
This study analyzed physico-chemical characteristics of soils and soil profile on planting ground in planting site for landscape tree located in Incheon International Airport(IIA) which opened on 29th, March of 2001, with an aim to provide basic materials regarding tree management and planting ground improvement in the Reclaimed Seaside Area.
In this study, IIA sites(excluding a 3.8㎢-large golf course from a total size of 55.35㎢) were divided into five areas including Main Terminal Building(MTB), International Business Complex, Airport Support Complex, Free Trade Zone(FTZ) and Access Road. In theses areas, tree and soil surveys were conducted between October and November of 2010.
The planting ground for landscape tree in IIA was developed based low reclamation method that reclaims the ground at a level lower than the highest high water level. Therefore, the installed drainage is shallow and the pipe conduit has small grade. Usually, ground water level remains stable. However, a combination of rising sea level and localized torrential rain leads to rise in the ground water level. When the ground water level goes up, it brings hazardous factors to tree growth including poor drainage, inundation of a low-lying planting ground, and salt increase in dredging soil. While the reclamation ground was being developed, maritime matters selectively excluding clay and organic matters were used in order to promote physical stability of the ground, which in turn caused many problems in soil environment of the planting ground, such as a shortage of content in organic matters, available phosphate and potassium and a low level of CEC.
In particular, heterogeneous and poor materials of mounding soil, disturbance of dredging sand, high soil hardness by tread-pressure, and soil horizon of underground generated a wide range of effects ,such as worsening not only physical property but also chemical property of soil. Salt brought from outside by saline and windage ,which rise on the base soil layer, destroyed a base balance in planting ground and consequently generated ionic antagonism and synergistic action. As a result, this study drew unexpected correlations related to tree damages like pH-rise, disturbance of nutrition, defective absorption of micro-elements and furthermore covered very complicated and various aspects. The study results are summarized as follows:
First, the planting ground in IIA has a variety of structural characteristics. Hardpan or heterogeneous soil horizon exists under the ground or poor mounding materials mixed with a considerable amount of rock, gravel and blasting rock were used. In addition, a landfill of waste aggregates, a horizon disturbed with dredging sand and mounding materials, and a horizon mainly composed of clay are found in this ground.
Second, the soil horizon existing under the ground becomes a main reason of reduced effective depth of soil. Also, it causes disturbance of water circulation system and poor drainage in the soil and hinders nutrition and gas circulation, thus putting a negative effect on plant growth. And, it is inferred the soil horizon changes chemical property of soil in a diverse manner.
Third, the planting ground in IIA has soil hardness to the extent that root growth is affected by tread-pressure. The mounding layer in the planting ground is slightly acid while the dredging soil becomes alkaline due to accumulation of leached salt and remaining salt. The soil has a low level of organic and available phosphate contents. And the soil's EC is at a low level enough not to affect growth of landscape trees. But, in comparition to dredging soil or deep soil area, occasionally, surface soil area has a higher level of EC. Thus, it is inferred that some areas has salt accumulation on bed soil due to salts increase from the base soil to mounding soil or poor drainage.
Fourth, it is concluded that calcium(Ca) accumulation and pH-rise are resulted from decomposition of shellfish residue mixed during dredging process. Contrary to the general concerns about the Reclaimed Seaside Areas, excessive accumulation of calcium(Ca) does not occur and rather, many places are found to have an insufficient level of calcium(Ca), which is below the ideal base balance. In the case of Mg, when being evaluated based on standard content in soil, it's level is disclosed as ‘appropriate’ or ‘insufficient’ but, when evaluated based on base saturation percentage(BSP), many places are found to have ‘excessive’ amount. On the other hand, most places are in shortage of K. it is analyzed the base-imbalance of positive ion is largely responsible for worsening chemical properties of soil and disturbance of nutrition related to ionic antagonism and synergistic action.
Fifth, it is required to ease the high soil hardness, destroy the soil horizon, use efficiently dredging soil, supply insufficient organic matter and available phosphate and manage fertilizer for base balance in order to improve planting ground of the Reclaimed Seaside Areas. From the perspective of institutional improvement, it is necessary to approach the evaluation concept on soil environments of the Reclaimed Seaside Areas from a different angle , in order to practically reflect specialty and reality of the Reclaimed Seaside Areas.
Key Word: Soil Horizon, Base Balance, Magnesium(Mg++) Accumulation, Antagonism, pH-Rise Mechanism