Example properties of soil binders for erosion prevention

Example properties of soil binders for erosion prevention. Source: California Stormwater Quality Association; California Stormwater BMP Handbook.
Link to this table

Evaluation criteria	Binder type
	Plant material based (short lived)	Plant material based (long lived)	Polymeric emulsion blends	Cementitious - based binders
Relative cost	Low	Moderate to high	Low to moderate	Moderate
Resistance to leaching	High	High	Low to moderate	Moderate
Resistance to abrasion	Moderate	Low	Moderate to high	Moderate to high
Longevity	Short to medium	Medium	Medium to long	Medium
Minimum curing time before rain	9 to 18 hours	19 to 24 hours	0 to 24 hours	4 to 8 hours
Compatibility with existing vegetation	Good	Poor	Poor	Poor
Mode of degradation	Biodegradable	Biodegradable	Photodegradable / chemically degradable	Photodegradable / chemically degradable
Campatibility with existing vegetation	Good	Poor	Poor	Poor
Mode of degradation	Biodegradable	Biodegradable	Photodegradable / chemically degradable	Photodegradable / chemically degradable
Labor intensive	No	No	No	No
Specialized application equipment	Water truck or hydraulic mulcher	Water truck or hydraulic mulcher	Water truck or hydraulic mulcher	Water truck or hydraulic mulcher
Liquid / powder	PowderX	Liquid	Liquid / powder	PowderX
Surface crusting	Yes, but dissolves on rewetting	Yes	Yes, but dissolves on rewetting	Yes
Clean up	Water	Water	Water	Water
Erosion control application rate	Varies1	Varies1	Varies1	4,000 to 12,000 lbs / acre

¹Application rate varies with slope steepness (i.e., steeper = more); see manufacturer’s recommendation.