Pristine soil property and mineralogy as the strategic rehabilitation basis in post-earthquake-induced liquefaction, tsunami and landslide in Palu, Indonesia

Unprecedented terrible and catastrophic disasters on September 28, 2018 triggered by earthquake-induced liquefaction, tsunami and landslide hit Palu, Central Sulawesi, Indonesia. The objective of the study was to assess and evaluate soil mineralogical compositions, properties, heavy metals, and water quality in the areas of post-earthquake-induced liquefaction, tsunami and landslide to provide the basis for agricultural and ecosystem rehabilitation. The soil samples were collected by digging pits after 12-days of disaster at liquefied soils, tsunami sediments, and soil mass motion/landslide for analyses. Water samples for analysis were collected from soil pits, surface flow and new spring. Results showed that the earthquake-induced liquefaction, tsunami and landslide completely reshape the ecosystem landscape and reset the initial soil formation as revealed by the formation of sand boil microrelief, accumulation of tsunami sediment on initial soil surfaces, and redistribution of soil through mass movement on landscapes. Liquefaction increased the number of weatherable minerals in the sand fraction, varying from 28 to 58% as compared to natural soils (17-42%), indicating the high nutrient reserve of pristine liquefied soils in the long-term. The clay minerals were dominated by smectite followed by illite and kaolinite and were not affected by earthquake impacts. The liquefaction increased soil pH and sand fraction and decreased all soil nutrients, which collectively became severe limiting factors for crop establishment. The tsunami resulted in new material deposits of 5-10 cm thick overlain the natural soils in coastal areas. The deposits did not increase the number of weatherable minerals but resulted in the highest electrical conductivity of soil and water, and high concentrations of Ca, Na, Mg and K ions. The concentration of total and availability of all types of heavy metals is below the threshold limits, indicating no potential heavy metal risks in post-earthquake-induced disaster areas. Information of high weatherable minerals and pristine soil properties, water and heavy metals from this study may provide a strong effective basis for rehabilitation and management of agriculture and the environment in post-disaster areas in the long-term period of time.

Automated summary

The study assessed and evaluated the impact of earthquake-induced liquefaction, tsunami, and landslide on soil mineralogical compositions, properties, heavy metals, and water quality in Palu, Indonesia. The results showed significant changes in ecosystem landscape and soil formation, with high nutrient reserve in liquefied soils but severe limiting factors for crop establishment. Information from the study may provide a strong effective basis for rehabilitation and management of agriculture and the environment in post-disaster areas in the long-term.