Geochemistry properties of southern Malaysian organic soil

Abstract

Johore, the southern part of west peninsular Malaysia is found to be rich in peat soil, especially at the Pontian & Batu Pahat district. The physico-chemical properties of the peat soil at the region had been extensively studied by various researches but limited studies were based on the interface layer of peat soil and non organic soil. The behaviour of the interface layer soil is believed to be governed by its organic matter content. Three locations of Batu Pahat, namely Parit Nipah, Parit Sidek & Batu Puteh which are difference in terms of geography setting were chosen in this case study. The main objective of this study is to characterize the geochemistry properties of the organic soil as a guide of its engineering behaviour. The soil specimens were collected using peat auger and undisturbed sampler. The organic contents and types of organic were determined in laboratory based on Loss on Ignition at 440c, carbon content and its molecular functional group. The pH, sulphate content, chloride content and cation exchange capacity (CEC) of the organic soil were also determined as a guide of its potential stabilization by using chemical stabilizer. X-ray fluorescence (XRF) and Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) were utilized to determine the bulk chemical composition of the soil and its functional group, respectively. The findings of this study are expected to give a better overview of organic soil which enable designer to have a better understanding when dealing with this kind of material.