Soil Compaction

07/22/25

“What happens to soil when its particles are pressed together?”

Soil is one of the foundations of terrestrial life on Earth. Soil’s porosity allows for water infiltration and drainage. But when soil particles are crushed together, they lose much of their porosity, leading to worse drainage, which can stifle plant growth and increase stormwater runoff/soil erosion. This Soil Compaction is a major problem for agricultural and stormwater management and requires amelioration to minimize damage.

• Earth/Climate science
• Ecology
• Engineering
• Urban Systems