Evaluation of the Use of Lime and Nanosilica for the Improvement of Clay Soil Structure and Degradation of Hydrocarbons

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

This manuscript addresses an interesting and very valuable experimental work about the use of lime and nanosilica for the improvement of clay soil structure and degradation of hydrocarbon pollutants. Lime and nanosilica were used in different treatments for three months. Different soil structure characteristics were investigated after and before this treatment. This is an interesting study. The problem can be regarded as being within the scope of Pollutants. Despite the massive amount of work done in this research project, the article in its current shape should be improved. However, after analyzing the content, I address some major comments, which should be considered prior to acceptance of this manuscript.

1. The authors should explain why they used 0.5 % nanosilica and 2 % lime in T7.

2.  All figures should be improved.

3. The authors should present supporting information only in the supplementary file. I didn’t find Figure S1 (the boxplots of months one and two).

4. Line 145; Please remove this line.

5.  Conclusions: I think that a conclusion section could highlight and summarise the key findings and provide significant outcomes of your investigation.

 

 

Author Response

Dear reviewer:

We thank the for your suggestions that will undoubtedly help us improve our manuscript. Below you will find the answers to each of the suggestions issued.

 

1. The authors should explain why they used 0.5 % nanosilica and 2 % lime in T7.

The concentration of nanosilica and lime where chose according to the experimental design. Using the lowest concentration on nanosilica and the expected best performance of lime according to literature. The explanation is now included in the manuscript.

2. All figures should be improved.

All figures have been improved.

3. The authors should present supporting information only in the supplementary file. I didn’t find Figure S1 (the boxplots of months one and two).

The supplementary file has been updated

4. Line 145; Please remove this line.

The line 145 have been removed

5. Conclusions: I think that a conclusion section could highlight and summarise the key findings and provide significant outcomes of your investigation.

A conclusion section has been added.

Best regards 

Isabel Cipriani

Reviewer 2 Report

Praca jest ciekawa, ale jej wartość merytoryczna złagodzi braki (opisane w załączonym pliku PDF). W pierwszej kolejności należy usunąć liczne błędy redakcyjne, rozbudować dział materiałów i metod, a także jakość zdjęć i ich opisów. Po udoskonaleniu praca może zostać poddana ocenie merytorycznej.

Comments for author File: Comments.pdf

Author Response

Dear reviewer:

We thank for your suggestions that will undoubtedly help us improve our manuscript. Below you will find the answers to each of the suggestions issued.

The work is interesting, but its substantive value will mitigate the shortcomings (described in the attached PDF file). First of all, numerous editorial errors should be removed, the materials and methods department should be expanded, as well as the quality of photos and their descriptions. After improvement, the work may be subject to content evaluation.

All the suggestions of format have been updated in the document revised. The figures and captions have been improved. The materials and methods have been widely detailed in the supplementary information.

Best regards

Isabel Cipriani

Round 2

Reviewer 1 Report

The improvements achieved by the authors in the revision look good. 

One more comment; Lines 117:119; Please support this sentence with references.

Author Response

Dear reviewer:

Please find attached the revised manuscript entitled “Evaluation of the use of lime and nanosilica for the improvement of clay soil structure and degradation of hydrocarbons” We thank you for your suggestions that will undoubtedly help us improve our manuscript. Below you will find the answers to each of the suggestions issued.

 Lines 117:119; Please support this sentence with references.

A reference has been added.

Best regards

 

 

Reviewer 2 Report

Dear Authors,

the publication after removing the still existing errors (marked in the PDF file) will be suitable for publication. But please explain what you mean in line 111: 2-kilo terrariums?

Kind regards

Reviewer

Comments for author File: Comments.pdf

Author Response

Dear reviewer:

Please find attached the revised manuscript entitled “Evaluation of the use of lime and nanosilica for the improvement of clay soil structure and degradation of hydrocarbons” We thank you for your suggestions that will undoubtedly help us improve our manuscript. Below you will find the answers to each of the suggestions issued.

 

the publication after removing the still existing errors (marked in the PDF file) will be suitable for publication. But please explain what you mean in line 111: 2-kilo terrariums?

All the pdf mistakes have been corrected including the a new PCA figure.

The 2-kilo terrarium has been explained

Best regards