الفهرس 
Material and methodsOnly 14 pages are availabe for public view
 |  | from | 232 |  |  |
| | | from | 232 | | |
Abstract
The study concern the pedochemical characteristics of soil in El-
Tina and EI-Qaa plain in the north western and south western parts of
Sinai Peninsula.
Twenty two soil profiles were taken to represent the different
geomorphic units in the areas, and were morphologically described; and
their physical, chemical and mineralogical properties were measured.
1- Physical and chemical properties
(I) Soils of EI- Tina plain geomorphic units:
a-EI-Tina- plain.
These soils have variable texture, sandy to clayey with increase
of clay with depths. Content of CaC03 varies from 0.02 to 6.4 %,
organic matter was less than 1.4 %. Soils are neutral to moderately
alkaline (pH 7.0 to 8.3.) values ofEC of saturation extract =110 to
219 dSm-1 (extremely saline). Soluble ions Na+ >Ca++> Mg++>K+ ;
CI> 804> HC03-(no cOtl. Gypsum: 0.3 to 9.9%.
20J
b- The elevated sand dunes
Soil textures mainly sands, with one sandy Ioam; content of
CaC03 = 1.8 and 6.6 % (no specific pattern with depth). Organic matter
= 0.05 to 0.20/0. Soils are midly alkaline to moderately alkline (pH 7.6 to
8.3); E C = 0.4 to 1.4dSm-1• Soluble ions: Na+ »ca” > Mg++>K+ ~S04-
> cr >HC03- in two profiles and cr > S04- > HC03- in the other two
profiles. Gypsum = 0.13 -- 0.280/0.
(2) Soils of El- Qaa plain geomorphic units.
a- The wadis.
Soil txture varies from sand to silty clay; CaC03 = 6.8 up to 39.2
%. The highest CaC03 is generally associated with the limestone parent
material. Organic matter content< 0.40/0.soils are midly alkaline( pH 7.6
_ 8.0). EC = 0.65 to 32.5 dSm-’ soluble ions: Na+ > Ca ++> Mg++ > K+ ;
S04- »Cl’ >HC03 in two profiles, Cl> S04- >HC03-.in one profile.
Gypsum content = 0.080/0to 5.5%.
b- Soils of the alluvial fan.
These soils have coarser texture ranges from sand to loamy sand;
Ca C03 = 1.7 and 10.3%. Organic matter < 0.04%. Soils are midly
alkaline (pH 7.5 to 8.0), Ee = OJ to 0.7 dSm-
1
. Soluble ions
c-Soil of the coastal plain.
These soils have texture class varies from sand to sandy loam .
CaC03 = 3.5 to 38.1 0,/0 no pattern with depth. Organic matter
< 0.1 % Soils are mildly alkaline (pH 7.5 - 8.0). EC = 3.2 to 33.4 dSm}
Gypsum content =0.2 to 0.80/0.
2- Cation exchange capacity.
Cation exchange capacity (CEC) = 16.5 - 53.2 me/IOOg EI-Tina
~ plain, with Mg++being the dominate followed by Ca++.
CEC in elevated sand dunes = 2.7 - 6.8 me/IOOg. Ca >Mg++>
Na+ >K. In EI-Qaa plain, CEC = 1.5 to 9.8 me/100g; Ca >Na+
3- The total amorphous inorganic materials
In El-Tina plain content = 1.49-3.90/0ranged with the dominance of
silica (0.9 _2.40/0)followed by iron oxides (0.14-1.2%) and alomina
oxides(0.06-1.20/o). In the elevated sand dunes plain contents = 0.36-
1.43% ranged with dominant of silica ( 0.29-1.16°.10)followed by iron
oxides (0.04 - 0.25%) and alumina oxides (0.004 - 0.03).
In EI-Qaa plain content = 0.45-L51~ with silica> iron oxides>
alumina oxides. No specific depthwise distribution high contents
El-Tina plain may be due to the long time of aqueous transportation
prior to sedimantation and the low content in EI-Qaa is reflection of
the arid conditions and the sandy nature dunes .
4-Total of Fe, Mo, Zn,and Cu.
Total Fe = 1.5- 74.4 g kg” highest in EI-Tina plain and lowest in
EI-Qaa plain. Total Mn = 10 to 1200 mg kg” g highest in EI-Tina;
lowest in El-Qaa. Cu = 2.0 -89.0 mg kg-l
, highest in EI-Tina, lowest
in EI-Qaa. Total Zn = 5.0to 85.3 mg kg”, highest in El-Tina plain,
, lowest in El-Qaa plain.
The vertical distribution of trace elements is discussed in light of
the statistical parameters of weighted mean ”W”, trend ”T” and
specific range ”R”.
5-Soil mineralogy.
5.1 Mineralogy of the sand fraction.
Light minerals are almost entirely of Quartiz (> 92.49 %),
associated minerals are feldspars of which orthclase and plagioclase are
principal members while microcline is the least abundant.
Heavy minerals are dominated by opaques; the non-apques are
dominate by proxenes, amphiboles and epidotes. Zircon, grant, rutile
and tourmaline are in moderate amounts, the others are less or
absent.
Uniformity of soil parent materials
A test of uniformity and development of soil profiles is conducted by
based on evaluating the frequency distribution of resistant minerals
and weathering ratios, soils are heterogeneous (either due to their
multi-origin or to the subsequent variations during their
sedImentation) being young pedologically.
clay mineralogy.
Mineralogical identification of 19 clay samples using x-ray
diffraction showed smectite (montmorillonite) as the predominant
minerals followed by Kaolinite then interstratified minerals, hydrous
mica, vermiculite and chlorite. Accessory minerals are mostly quartiz
followed by feldspars, with calcite and dolomite in traces.<Mineralogy
of clay sugg.ests the inheritance of clay minerals from parent
materials, and variation of the clay minerals assemblages with depth
reflects the multi-origin of the soils.
6-Surface area of the clay fraction.
Surface area = 96 _ 508 m2 I gm., highest in EI-Tina plain., lowest
in the elevated sand dunes with values being as follow :
El-Tina plain> EI-Qaa plain> elevated sand dunes.
7- Cation exchange capacity of the clay fraction
Values = 18.7 _ 52.2 me IIOOg., highest in EI-Tina plain, lowest
in the elevated sand dunes; since smectite was greater the former than
the latter geomorphic unite than the soil samples of elevated sand
dunes and EI-Qaa plain.
8-soil Taxonomy.
Aridisols and Entisols.
1-Aridisols
1- Typic Aquisalids
2- Gypsic Aquisalds
3- Typic HaplosaUds
4- Gypsic Haplosalids
5- Typic Haplocakids
11- entisols
1- Typic Torri psamments.
2- Typic Torri orthents
9. Land evaluation
( 8
2
) Good soils in part of the elevated sand dunes(El-Tina) and
part of the coastal plain (El-Qaa)
( 8
3
) Fair soils in El-Tina plain the elevated sand dunes, wadis
(EI-Qaa) and alluvial fan
(N) Non agricultural soils, in part of the elevated sand dunes (EITina)