The morphological features and properties of some soils south west paris oasis, Egypt

M.E.M. Wahdan , M. Niazy. And A. M .A .Zayed.

Abstract

The study area is located south west of Paris Oasis and occupies about 178218 hectare and represented by 29 profiles . The study are which had rock formation belong to Cretaceous Nubian Sandstones, and has four landform units: 1- Sand sheet: These soils cover about 95042 hectares representing 53.33% of the total studied area and are classified according to USDA (2014) to seven taxonomic units Coarse loamy, mixed, hyperthermic. TypicTorriorthents a- Fine loamy, mixed, hyperthermic. TypicTorriorthents. b- Sandy, mixed, hyperthermic.TypicTorriorthents. c-Sandyover loamy,mixed,hyperthermic.TypiTcorriorthents.d-fine loamy ,mixed, hyperthermic .Lithic Torriorthents e - Sandy, mixed,hyperthermic.LithicHaplogypsids.f-Sandy, siliceous, hyperthermic. Typic Torripsamments, 2-Sabkha: These soils covera bout 3701 hectares representing 2.07 % of the total studied area and are classified to family levelas. a- GypsicHaplosalids, fine clayey, mixed, hyperthermic. b- TypicHaplosalids,sandy, mixed, hyperthermic. 3-Pediplain: The soils under consideration have area of about 63428 hectare and represent 35.60% of the total area.The soils of this unit are classified as follows: a- Sandy,mixed,hyperthermic.TypicTorriorthents. b-Fine, loamy , mixed , hyperthermicLithic Torriorthents. c- Coarse loamy, mixed,hyperthermic. Lithic Torriorthents. d- Coarse loamy, mixed,hyperthermic.TypicTorriorthents. 4-Barchan dunes belts. Soils of dunes occupy about 16047 hectare and represent about 9.00%of total area. They have one taxonomic unit: a-- sandy, siliceous, hyperthermic Typic Torripsamment. -Land suitability evaluation Values of suitability indices for the current suitability are marginally class (S3) except soils of profiles3, 5and25 which are not suitable(N1), soils of profiles 28and29which are not suitable(N2),and Soils of profiles1, 15, 17,26 and27which are moderately suitable (S2) On the other hand, these soils would be moderately suitable (S2) their potential condition. Soils of profiles 17,24and26 which would be highly suitable(S1), and soils of profiles2,3,4,5,6,79,12,18and19 which would be Margin( S3). The soils of profiles28and29 are permanently not suitable (N2).

Key words

Sabkha, Pediplain, Barchan dunes belts, Land Form, Land classification, Land evaluation