Impact of earthquakes on soil chemical properties: A Review of mechanisms, changes, and implications for environmental and structural resilience
Shoma Hore
Post Graduarte Student, BUET, Dhaka-1000, Bangladesh
Mosharof AlAlim
Assistant Engineer, LGED, Dhaka-1216, Bangladesh
Ripon Hore,PhD
Geotechnical Lab Manager, APS Engineering and Testing, LA-70820, USA
DOI: https://doi.org/10.59429/ear.v3i1.8575
Keywords: Earthquake; soil chemical properties; seismic impacts; liquefaction; soil compaction; nutrient cycling; earthquake-resistant infrastructure; Bangladesh; environmental resilience; post-disaster recovery
Abstract
The response of soil chemical properties to seismic events has gained significant attention in recent years due to its potential impact on both the environment and infrastructure. Earthquakes can alter the chemical composition of soils, leading to changes in their mechanical properties, which may subsequently affect the stability of embankments, retaining walls, and other civil infrastructure. This review presents a comprehensive analysis of the chemical changes in soils following earthquake events, with a particular focus on the factors influencing these changes and their implications for engineering applications. The paper examines the underlying mechanisms that govern soil behavior during and after seismic events, including liquefaction, soil consolidation, and contamination from hazardous materials. Furthermore, it highlights the importance of post-earthquake soil chemical analysis in assessing potential hazards, such as the release of harmful substances, and offers recommendations for improving soil management strategies in earthquake-prone regions. By reviewing both experimental studies and field observations, this research aims to provide a deeper understanding of the complex relationship between seismic activity and soil chemistry. The novelty of this review lies in its systematic approach to integrating chemical analysis and seismic impacts on soils, offering valuable insights for engineers, environmental scientists, and policymakers involved in disaster risk management and mitigation. Ultimately, this review serves as a foundational resource for enhancing earthquake-resilient infrastructure in geologically active areas.
References
1.Hore, S. (2024). Assessment of soil chemical characteristics in the context of Bangladesh: A comprehensive review. Community and Ecology, 2(1).
2.Rahman, M. R., & Lateh, H. (2017). Climate change in Bangladesh: A spatio-temporal analysis and simulation of recent temperature and rainfall data using GIS and time series analysis model. Theoretical and Applied Climatology, 128(1-2), 27-41.
3.Girgin, U., Kurt, A. A., & Odabasi, F. (2011). Technology integration issues in special education schools in Turkey. Cypriot Journal of Educational Sciences
4.Krausmann, E., Renni, E., Campedel, M., & Cozzani, V. (2011). Industrial accidents triggered by earthquakes, floods, and lightning: Lessons learned from a database analysis. Natural Hazards, 59, 285-300. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11069-011-9754-3
5.Hossain, M. Z., Hore, S., & Hore, R. (2023). Stability analysis of rainfall-induced landslides: A case study of a hilly area in Bangladesh. Earthquake, 1(1), 2023.
6.Hore, R., Hossain, M. Z., Hore, S., et al. (2024). A comparative seismic study of wrap-faced retaining wall embankment using sands of Bangladesh. Iranian Journal of Science and Technology: Transactions of Civil Engineering. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40996-024-01600-9
7.Hore, R., Hore, S. (2024). Analysis of dynamic soil properties by a systematic approach. In G. Feng (Ed.), Proceedings of the 10th International Conference on Civil Engineering, ICCE 2023. Lecture Notes in Civil Engineering, vol. 526. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-97-4355-1_59
8.Hossain, M. M., Hore, S., Al Alim, M., et al. (2025). Numerical modeling of seismic soil-pile-structure interaction (SSPSI) effects on tall buildings with pile mat foundation. Arab Journal of Geosciences, 18(10), 12155-4. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-024-12155-4
9.Hasegawa, A., Ohira, T., Maeda, M., Yasumura, S., & Tanigawa, K. (2016). Emergency responses and health consequences after the Fukushima accident: Evacuation and relocation. Clinical Oncology, 28, 237–244.
10.Foong, L. K., Rahman, N., & Ramli, M. Z. (2016). Laboratory study of deformable double-porosity soil. Malaysian Journal of Civil Engineering, 1(1).
11.Arefin, M. S., Talukder, M. A. R., Hore, S., & Hore, R. (2023). A novel study on the present situation of infrastructure of water, sanitation, and hygiene of rural people in Bangladesh. Western European Journal of Historical Events and Social Science, 1(1), 44-58.
12.Cruz, A. M., Steinberg, L. J., et al. (2004). State of the art in Natech risk management. European Commission Joint Research Centre. UN ISDR EUR 21292 EN.
13.Foong, H. F. (2016). Predicting cognitive function of the Malaysian elderly: A structural equation modelling approach. Aging Science.
14.Iqbal, S., Clower, J. H., Hernandez, S. A., Damon, S. A., & Yip, F. Y. (2012). A review of disaster-related carbon monoxide poisoning: Surveillance, epidemiology, and opportunities for prevention. American Journal of Public Health, 102(10), 1957-1963.
15.Steinberg, L. J., Cruz, A. M., Vardar-Sukan, F., & Ersoz, Y. (2001). Risk management practices at industrial facilities during the Turkey earthquake of August 17, 1999: Case study report. Integrated disaster risk management: Reducing socio-economic vulnerability, IIASA, Luxembourg, Austria.
16.Talukder, M. A. R., Hore, S., & Hore, R. (2023). Systematic approach of earthquake awareness analysis in Bangladesh. Earthquake, 1(1), 1-9.
17.Young, S., Balluz, L., & Malilay, J. (2004). Natural and technologic hazardous material releases during and after natural disasters: A review. Science of the Total Environment, 322(1–3), 3–20. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0048-9697(03)00446-7