Superabsorbent Hydrogels in the Agriculture and Reclamation of Degraded Areas

Katarzyna Sroka () and Paweł Sroka
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Katarzyna Sroka: Faculty of Geo-Data Science, Geodesy, and Environmental Engineering, Department of Environmental Management and Protection, AGH University of Krakow, 30-059 Krakow, Poland
Paweł Sroka: Faculty of Food Technology, Department of Fermentation Technology and Microbiology, University of Agriculture in Krakow, 31-120 Krakow, Poland

Sustainability, 2024, vol. 16, issue 7, 1-27

Abstract: Superabsorbent materials (SAPs) are crosslinked polymer networks composed of ionic and non-ionic monomers. SAPs can absorb and retain water solutions up to several hundred times their own weight. As a result of swelling, they form a gel that is insoluble in water, considered safe and decomposes over time. This review focuses on the synthesis, degradation and chemical composition of SAP materials, with particular emphasis on chemical substances that are soluble in water and can migrate into the environment. Numerous applications of natural and synthetic hydrogels in agriculture and the reclamation of degraded areas in preventing erosion, retention water, reducing leaching of colloidal soil components and plant protection products, fertilisers and mineral salts into surface waters have been described. The influence of SAPs on the microbial activity of soils is described. New trends in the search for environmentally friendly SAPs made of modified biopolymers and waste materials are presented, which not only increase yields, but also ensure sustainable agro-environmental development.

Keywords: superabsorbent; hydrogel; swelling; polyacrylates; water retention; soil amendment; nutrient release; agriculture (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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