Abstract

Desertification driven by active dune soils poses a major environmental challenge in arid regions and is increasingly intensified by climate variability. In southern Iraq, migrating dunes frequently encroach on major highways, creating dangerous driving conditions and imposing high maintenance costs, which underscores the urgent need for effective and practical stabilization solutions. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), a cellulose‑based polymer, for stabilizing dune soils collected from five representative sites along active dune fields in southern Iraq. Dune soil samples were treated with CMC concentrations ranging from 10% to 50% and tested over curing periods of up to 80 days. The experimental program was supported by chemical, mineralogical, and penetration resistance analyses, and by multivariable regression modeling to quantify the joint effects of polymer content and curing time. The results demonstrate a substantial improvement in soil strength following CMC treatment. At 10% CMC content, penetration resistance increased by approximately 140–165% after 28 days of curing compared with untreated soil, while higher polymer dosages (40–50%) produced strength increases exceeding 300% relative to natural dune soil. The most pronounced gains occurred within the first 28 days, after which penetration resistance values stabilized, indicating completion of the curing and bonding process. These findings demonstrate that CMC significantly enhances the mechanical resistance of dune soils and offers an environmentally compatible solution for limiting dune migration in desertification‑prone regions, particularly in areas adjacent to infrastructure where improved soil stability is required.