Evaporation beds are used in which soil type?

• A. Clay soil
• B. Sandy soil
• C. Rocky soil
• D. Peaty soil

Answer: (A)

Evaporation beds rely on letting water evaporate from the surface, so you want soil that slows water’s movement into the ground. Clay soil has very low permeability due to its tiny, tightly packed particles, which keeps the liquid near the surface long enough for evaporation to occur and reduces seepage. In sandy soil, water drains quickly, so evaporation isn’t the primary removal mechanism and there’s a greater risk of contaminant movement downward. Rocky soil isn’t suitable for building a stable bed, and peat soils can be unstable and behave unpredictably under a bed. So, clay soil is the best fit for evaporation beds.