A comprehensive review on applying petroleum mulches for soil erosion control and vegetation enhancement in arid regions. Field experiences, environmental challenges, and optimization strategies discussed.

This innovative study demonstrates how surface asphalt application to soil can significantly enhance water harvesting and tree growth in drylands.
The technique shows substantial promise in reducing irrigation needs, supporting afforestation efforts, and combating desertification across Iran’s semi-arid regions.

Explore how surface and subsurface petroleum mulches impact seedling emergence and development.
A must-read for agricultural innovation!

Oil drilling operations produce substantial amounts of waste, including drilling mud and heavy petroleum residues, which pose a serious threat to the environment. This study explores the reuse of such waste oils as mulch for stabilizing shifting sand dunes. This approach not only offers an effective means to reduce environmental pollution but also helps in controlling wind erosion and dust storms in arid regions. The economic analysis suggests that recycling waste oil in this way is more cost-effective than burning or burying it. The paper concludes with practical recommendations for implementing this solution as an environmentally friendly alternative in desert management.

This report, part of the 1973 FAO/UNDP Seminar, explores the distribution, properties, and stabilization efforts of sandy soils and sand dunes in Iran. It covers soil classifications, protective measures, and R&D projects such as petroleum mulching, mechanical windbreaks, and plantation of resilient species. Since 1959, Iran has made significant efforts to combat desertification and stabilize moving sand dunes in regions like Ahvaz, Sabzevar, and Qazvin.
Furthermore, in an official FAO report to the Government of Iran in 1971, the use of petroleum mulch was recommended, provided that the mulch layer can retain moisture and remain stable until full seed germination and seedling establishment.