The use of electrokinetic geosynthetics (EKG) in enhanced performance of sports turf

This paper considers the effect of electrokinetic geosynthetics on the performance of natural sports turf. It is considered herein that electrokinetic treatment comprises electroosmotic water flow and electrolytic evolution of gas. When used on natural sports turf, the combined effects include control of water flow, pore pressure, pH and oxygen levels. Together these affect both the physical (performance related) characteristics such as water content, shear strength and ball bounce, and the biological (reliability related) characteristics such as aeration and pH control. Turf-grass health is determined by factors such as adequate drainage and aeration of the soil, sufficient light and the effective control of pests and weeds. The use of electrokinetic geosynthetics (EKG) in the management sports turf to enhance performance indices and reliability characteristics has been researched in the UK using natural (in situ) and constructed sports turf systems. Field data collected over a period of three years have shown that controlled application of electrokinetic phenomena using EKG provide several key benefits including: dewatering to influence water content, shear strength and ball bounce, and aeration of the root zone with increased root respiration and microbiological activity, adaptation of turf-grass to the stresses of low light levels (including improvements in root strength) and reduction in levels of thatch (excess dead organic matter).