Effects of Parent Material Weathering on Mineralogical and Chemical Properties of Some Soils in the Bahariya Oasis, Western Desert, Egypt

Abstract

The clay mineralogy and trace elements analysis of 31 selected soil profiles was recorded using X-ray diffraction analysis and X-ray fluorescence analysis. Results indicate that smectite is the predomoniant clay mineral followed by kaolinite in the soil derived from Bahariya, El Hefhuf and Khoman Formation. Kaolinite is the predominat mineral in the soils derived from El Heiz, Qazzun and Radwan formation. The origin of these clay minerals may be related almost entirely to parent rocks without significant transformation within the soil profiles studied. The distribution of the trace elements in the studied soil profiles indicate that, zirconium (Zr) is the dominant element in all profiles studied and Formation. Barium (Ba) is the second dominant element followed by Zin (Zn) and chromium. (Cr). Based on the soil properties and the American soil Taxonomy (2006) Baharia Oasis soils were classified at great soil group level into Torripsaments, Torriorthents, Haplosalids and Haplocalcids

Mechanization Assessment of Soil Compaction Induced by Traffic of Farm Machinery

“…This system provides suitable environment for the plant (non-compacted soil) and farm machinery (compacted soil) through the establishing permanent traffic lanes in the fields used for all agricultural operations and avoiding random traffic of farm machinery [8]. Most of the previous studies in this aspect have focused on the impact of this CTF on improving the productivity of agricultural crops at the lowest costs (increasing of input use efficiency) [9], and the impact of the CTF system in reducing capacity and energy costs under European and Australian conditions [10]. This system has not been investigated under the Iraqi condition, and probably in the Middle East despite the good results that has been achieved in the countries that adopted this agricultural regime.…”