ИСТИНА

Stabilization of soils and grounds against wind and water erosion is described by using aqueous solution of interpolymer complexes (IPCs), products of interaction between cationic and anionic polymers. Upon deposition of the IPC formulation over soil, a protective layer (crust) forms on the top, composed of IPC and soil particles. The high stability of the IPC ‐soil crust is due to the IPC block structure with hydrophilic free ionic blocks and hydrophobic mutually neutralized anionic/cationic blocks, which ensures an optimum IPC adsorption on the soil surface and binds soil particles to larger aggregates. The IPC treatment retains the porous structure of soil, which favors seed germination and plant development. Being effective absorbent of heavy metals, the IPC formulation allows a normal seed germination in the presence of toxic metal ions. Additionally to ecological and agricultural applications, the IPC formulations have potential for immobilization of moving sands, conservation of mining dumps, treatment of road slopes, etc. The work was in part supported by Russian Foundation for Basic Research (Grant 18-29-25017).