INTEGRATION OF RS AND GIS FOR STUDYING THE GEOMORPHOLOGICAL AND PEDOLOGICAL FEATURES OF SOME SOILS SOUTH WEST OF EL-SADAT CITY, EGYPT

Abstract

The current work aims to study the geomorphological and pedological characteristics as well as classification for soils in the area located at south west of ElSadat City. The integration of Remote Sensing (RS) and Geographic Information System (GIS) techniques was used to perform this work. This work could be presented important information about the potentiality of these soils for proper plans of reclamation, improvement and management. The geomorphic map produced using RS and GIS technology indicated that, there are three identified and interpreted geomorphic units in this area. These units are Low Terraces, Moderate Terraces and High Terraces. Fourteen soil profiles were selected representing these geomorphic units. The land and site features are observed and registered. Profiles were morphologically described, and then samples were collected representing the subsequent layers in each profile for integrated physical and chemical analyses. The elevation of the studied profiles varied between 14 and 52 m. that increased from the Low Terraces to the High ones. The soils have almost flat to gently undulating topography with gentle sloping. All studied soils are deep and characterized as freely well drained. These soils have almost slightly to gravelly loamy sand texture with rapid hydraulic conductivity. The soils have mainly weak granular to subangular structure and some layers have single grains. The most of studied soils are virgin without or with scanty vegetation. The morphological rating scale (relative distinctness of horizons "RHD" and relative profile development "RPD") indicates a slight distinctness between horizons which mainly attributed to the depositional pattern and /or regimes of soil materials more than development. The analytical data of the studied soils revealed that, the soil reaction is slightly alkaline. All the studied soils are non-saline and not sodic. The soils differ from slightly to strongly calcareous according their CaCO3 content. Organic matter (OM) and gypsum were low. The cation exchange capacity (CEC) was also low due to the low content of fine fractions and OM in these soils. The studied soils haven't any diagnostic horizons, therefore they were classified up to sub great group level under Entisols order mainly as Typic Torripsaments.