The impact of building materials and the addition of peat on water retention in model urban soil

Presented here are the results of the investigations of the impact of building materials and peat on the static hydro-physical characteristics of Orthic Luvisol. The basic physical and chemical properties of the mixtures investigated have been determined. It has been assumed that a mixture of soil with foam-concrete shows a much higher level of water retention than do other mixtures in the whole range of pF values. The highest differences have been noticed for amounts of gravitational water and water useful for plants. The addition of peat into the soil and model mixtures increased retention levels in the whole range of pF values of the mixtures investigated. The presence of peat contributed mainly to an increase in water useful for plants and in water unavailable for plants.