Effect of Changing Water Content on the Properties of Kuttanad Soil

This paper brings out various mechanisms that control the changes in the properties of Kuttanad soil due to removal of water upon drying. The detailed studies conducted include microfabric imaging, analysis of pore fluid and evaluation of the index properties of the soil before and after drying. The role of pore fluid salinity and organic matter was evaluated by studying the index properties of the soil after subjecting it to different treatments. Although several factors such as dehydration due to mineralogical changes, presence of sesquioxides and oxidation of pyrites are responsible for changes in soil properties, it has been brought out that the drying up of organic matter further causing cementation and aggregation in the soil is a major cause, influencing the soil properties upon drying.