HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Keng, J. C. W. Articles by Ramia, N. T. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Keng, J. C. W. Articles by Ramia, N. T. Agricola Articles by Keng, J. C. W. Articles by Ramia, N. T.

Cryoprotective Effect of Dimethyl Sulfoxide (DMSO) on Soil Structure During Freeze-Drying¹

ABSTRACT

The effect of the cryoprotective property of dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) on soil pore structure during freeze-drying was examined in the laboratory. Undisturbed heavy clay soil cores (75 mm high and 75 mm in diameter) were saturated with 0%, 10%, 28% and 35% H₂O-DMSO solution before freeze-drying. Shrinkage measurements, mercury intrusion determinations, and scanning electron microscope (SEM) examinations were performed to study the effects of DMSO on soil structure. Shrinkage results suggest that the shape of soil samples has the greatest effect on directional shrinkage. Freeze-drying caused thermal cracks which belies the true volume shrinkage. Mercury intrusion data and SEM photographs indicate that DMSO treatments alter the pore size distributions. The most interesting discovery in this experiment was, for this particular soil, that pores in the range of 10 nm to 10² nm seem most susceptible to compaction caused by ice crystal formation.

¹ Joint Contribution from the Agassiz Research Station and The Chem & Biol. Rese. Inst., Canada Dept. of Agric. Agassiz Research Station Contribution no. 309.

² Research Soil Physicist, Agriculture Canada, P.O. Box 1000, Agassiz, B.C., Canada, VOM 1AO; Research Organic Chemist, CBRI, Agric. Canada, Ottowa, Canada, K1A OC6; and Research Assist, Univ. of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada, respectively.

Received for publication January 4, 1984. Accepted for publication August 16, 1984.