Showing 440 results for Oil
H. Khaledian, D. Nikkami,
Volume 21, Issue 1 (6-2017)
Abstract
Appropriate utilization of agricultural land and natural resources, decreased erosion and increased production occurs in watersheds. On the other hand, land use pattern due to increasing human activities on the ground to meet different needs, is changing. Optimization of land use is one of the management methods to achieve stability and reduce soil erosion. In this study, by using linear programming (simplex) and Geographic Information System(GIS), was investigated the land use optimization in three scenario option to: current condition, management condition, and standard condition.Erosion potential by using MPSIAC Model in irrigated land 1.65, dry lands 3.31, pasture 3.64, gardens 1.49 and 3.85 tons per hectare per year was estimated for Chehel-Gazi basin. The results of the sensitivity analysis for tree scenario showed that in the event optimize land use, erosion potential in the current Condition 0.85 percent increased, But in the land management Condition 16.92 percent and in a standard Condition 32 percent decreased. The results of sensitivity analysis showed that changes in the area of pasture all three options have the greatest impact in changing erosion potential of basin.
Sh. Ghorbani Dashtaki, N. Karimian, F. Raeisi,
Volume 21, Issue 1 (6-2017)
Abstract
The use of organic matter such as urban sewage sludge may help sustainable soil fertility via improving the physical, chemical and biological soil characteristics. The main purpose of this study was to determine the effect of urban sewage sludge on chemical properties, soil basal respiration and microbial biomass carbon in a calcareous soil with silty clay loam texture. Therefore, three levels of water repellency (zero, weak and strong) were artificially created in a silty clay loam soil by adding urban sewage sludge (S0=0:100; S50=50:50 and S80=80:20 sludge weight: soil ratio). Water repellency was determined by water drop penetration time (WDPT) method. Also some chemical properties such as soil acidity (pH) and Electrical Conductivity (EC), Soil Organic Carbon (OC), soluble sodium (Na+) and soluble potassium (K+) were measured. The samples were incubated at 23-25 ºC for 30 days and their moisture was maintained at 70-80 % under field capacity and soil basal respiration and microbial biomass carbon of incubation period were evaluated. The results showed that the effect of urban sewage sludge on chemical properties was significant (P ≤0.0001). The application of urban sewage sludge led to significant increase in basal respiration (16 and 27 times) and microbial biomass carbon (15.2 and 26.5 times) in the water repellency soils (S50 and S80) compared to control soil. The observed positive effect of sewage sludge might be due to a high content of organic carbon and nutrients in urban sewage sludge and decrease in the labile organic matter and nutrients during incubation period.
S. M. A. Zomorodian, A. Soleymani,
Volume 21, Issue 1 (6-2017)
Abstract
Erosion is one of the main factors of destruction of hydraulic structures. Therefore, soil improvement is necessary to improve soil quality and reduce soil erosion. Due to the adverse effects of substances such as lime and ash and also the increasing usage of nanotechnology in various branches of engineering sciences, using nanoparticles as new additives is an efficient way. In this study, to investigate the effect of nanosilica additive on soil, erosion function apparatus (EFA) is used. Samples containing nanosilica with 0, 1, 1.5, 2 and 4 percent (w/w) of dry soil were compacted in the standard compaction mold. They were tested in a close flume and with variable discharges. Erodibility parameters showed that by addition of 1.5% nanosilica to the dry soil, erodibility decreased by 92% as compared with untreated soil. The optimal amount of nanosilica was chosen as 1.5%. The results showed that samples compacted with the optimum moisture content causes the least erodibility. Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) tests results showed that by addition of nanosilica to the dry soil, soil structure becomes more dense which reduces the risk of erosion.
A. H. Boali, H. Bashari, R. Jafari, M. Soleimani,
Volume 21, Issue 2 (8-2017)
Abstract
Appropriate criteria and methods are required to assess desertification potential in various ecosystems. This paper aimed to assess desertification levels in Segzi plain located in east part of Isfahan, with a focus on soil quality criteria used in MEDALUS model. Bayesian Belief Networks (BBNs) were also used to convert MEDALUS model into a predictive, cause and effects model. Soil samples were collected from 17 soil profiles in all land units and some of their characteristics such as texture, soluble sodium and chlorine, organic material, Sodium Absorption Ratio (SAR), Electrical Conductivity (EC) and CaSo4 of all soil samples were determined in soil laboratory. The effects of measured soil quality indicators on desertification intensity levels were assessed using sensitivity and scenario analysis in BBNs. Results showed that the used integrated method can appropriately accommodate uncertainty in the desertification assessments approaches created as a result of the influence of different soil characteristics on desertification. According to the results of MEDALUS model, 28.28 % and 71.72 % of the study area were classified as poor and moderate areas in terms of soil quality respectively. Sensitivity analysis by both models showed that soil organic matter, SAR and EC were identified as the most important edaphic variables responsible for desertification in the study area. Evaluating the effects of various management practices on these variables can assist managers to achieve sound management strategies for controlling desertification.
Prof. J. Abedi-Koupai, M. Fatahizadeh, Dr M. R. Mosaddeghi,
Volume 21, Issue 2 (8-2017)
Abstract
Today, modern irrigation systems are constructed at a very high cost to operate for optimal use of water and soil. Lack of appropriate technical, social and economic studies, caused high maintenance costs of these facilities during operation. Water resources have been polluted due to industrial development, increasing human population and non-compliance with environmental standards. Most of hydraulic structures are built in areas with poor water quality. Furthermore, engineering properties of fine-grained soils, especially the clay soils, depend on factors such as salinity of solute in the pore water. So that any change in salinity of solute leads to change in the physical and mechanical properties of soils, and consequently make damage to hydraulic structure. This study investigated the effect of water salinity on engineering properties of fine-grained soils. For this purpose, NaCl, with 5 different levels (0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.41 and 0.72 mol/L) was added to the soil and the mechanical properties of soil including compaction, shear parameters, Atterberg limits and consolidation parameters were investigated. The results showed that the addition of NaCl had made no significant changes to the maximum dry unit weight and optimum moisture content of the soil, but it reduced cohesion of soil and increased the internal friction angle .Also, Limit Liquid (LL) are decreased, but it had little effect on the Plastic Limit(PL) of soil.
H. Adab,
Volume 21, Issue 2 (8-2017)
Abstract
A limited number of agricultural weather stations measure moisture in the soil surface. Furthermore, soil moisture information may be required in areas where there is no weather station. The aim of the present study was to use Landsat 8 satellite images to estimate soil surface moisture in an area without agricultural meteorological stations. Gravimetric soil moisture for a total of 14 samples was calculated in the cold season in depths of 0-10 cm when Landsat 8 satellite was overpassing poor rangeland of North of Sabzevar. Furthermore, the first four principal components were extracted from seven Landsat-derived vegetation indices and bio-physical factors affecting soil moisture. Afterwards, the first four components were used to estimate soil surface moisture at the moment of the satellite passing the region using a multivariate linear regression and neural networks. The obtained results of instantaneous soil surface moisture showed that the neural networks had mean absolute percentage error of while classical regression analysis had mean absolute percentage error of 40%. The results also showed the benefits of using both in-situ soil moisture data and Landsat 8 satellite images to model instantaneous soil surface moisture content for areas lacking meteorological networks.
Engineer H. Talebikhiavi, Engineer M. Zabihi, Dr. R. Mostafazadeh,
Volume 21, Issue 2 (8-2017)
Abstract
Effective soil conservation requires a framework modelling that can evaluate erosion for different land-use scenarios. The USLE model was used to predict the reaction of appropriate land-cover/land-use scenarios in reducing sediment yield at the upland watershed of Yamchi Dam (474 km2), West Ardabil Province, Iran. Beside existing scenario, seven other land-use management scenarios were determined considering pattern of land-use through study area within a GIS-framework. Then, data inputs were prepared using terrain data, land-use map and direct observations. According to the model results, the generated erosion amount was 3.92 t/ha/yr for the current land-use (baseline scenario). For this purpose, conservation practices in dry farming slopes and implementing the scenario 5 (contour farming and remaining crop residuals) can reduce the sediment to 2.02 t/ha/yr. The lowest and highest decreases in sediment yield are projected to be through implementation of scenario 6 (irrigated farming protection with plant residuals) and 7 (biological soil conservation in dry and irrigated farming). The results indicated that, implementing scenario frameworks and evaluating appropriate land-use management scenarios can lead to the reduction of sediment entering the reservoir, and prioritizing soil conservations in the studied area.
S. A. M. Mirmohammady Maibody, S. Dybaie, H. Shariatmadari, N. Baghestani,
Volume 21, Issue 2 (8-2017)
Abstract
The adaptability of Haloxylon appilium to adverse environmental conditions and especially its capability for an appropriate establishment in saline and desert soils has introduced this plant as a suitable means for biological methods to stabilize sand dunes, control erosion and prevent desertification in arid regions. In order to evaluate the ecophysiological characteristics of Haloxylon appilium some characteristics of soils under the long term establishment, survival and development of this plant and ion composition of this plant growing in Yazd province in thirty two growing trees of similar ages and traits within 8 locations of Chah Afzal and Ashkezar were investigated and their height (H), crown diameter (CD) and the above ground biomass index (Yi) were measured. Also, after cutting the trees from their collars, soil profiles were dug underneath the tree locations and soil samples were taken at depths of 0-30, 30-60, 60-90 and 90-120cm from four sides of each profile. The samples were then analyzed for Electrical Conductivity (EC), pH and Cl, Na, Ca, Mg, K concentrations in 1:5 soil to water extracts. The results showed statistically significant differences in soil parameters between the two regions, except for pH and Mg concentrations. The ion concentration of the plants in the two regions showed statistically significant differences for only Cl in shoots and Ca in roots. Based on the plant growth indices the Chah Afzal and Eshkezar regions were respectively evaluated as suitable and unsuitable for Haloxylon appilium growth. In spite of a higher salinity, the higher Ca and K concentration and lower Na/K ratio of Chah Afzal soils may explain the better plant performance in this region against Eshkezar, however, comprehensive researches on application of Ca and K fertilizer are needed to confirm this hypothesis
E. Mehrabi Gohari, H. R. Matinfar, R. Taghizadeh,
Volume 21, Issue 3 (11-2017)
Abstract
Typical routine surveys of soils are relatively expensive in terms of time and cost and due to the fact that maps have been traditionally developed and considering their dependence on experts' opinions, updating maps is time consuming and sometimes not economical as well. While soil digital mapping, using soil various models - the Landscape, leads to simplification of the complexity found in natural soil systems and provides users with quick and inexpensive updates. In fact, the model represents a simplified form of the complex relationships between the soil and the land. This study aims to consider inferential model Soil-Land (SOLIM) in mapping and estimating soil classes in Aran area, Isfahan province. For this purpose, the SOLIM model inputs are digital geological and environmental layers of digital elevation model (DEM) including elevation, slope in percent, slop direction, curvature of the earth's surface, wetness indicator, flow direction, flow accumulation, and satellite images of Landsat 8. The seven subcategory of soil in the study area are input data of SOLIM model. Then fuzzy maps were prepared for seven types of soil and final maps of soil prediction were created by non-fuzzy action. Results showed that the SOLIM using environment variables has very high ability to separate soil types in greater detail and soils with different parent materials, geology, climate and vegetation can be separated from each other by this model with a high degree of accuracy. Comparing error matrix shows that the overall accuracy of the map derived from the model SOLIM is 92.36%.
S. Ashrafi-Saeidlou, Mh. Rasouli-Sadghiani, M. Barin,
Volume 21, Issue 3 (11-2017)
Abstract
The Firing effect on soil depends on its intensity and duration. In order to investigate influence of different firing backgrounds on some soil physical and chemical properties, 80 soil samples were taken from two depths (0-5 cm and 5-20 cm) with different time of firing background (2 and 12 months). Some soil physical and chemical characteristics were measured at soil samples. The results showed that there was a significant difference in the amount of pH, EC, bulk density and ammonium in soils with different history of burning. The amount of studied indices increased after firing in burned soils compared to the control ones. However 12 months later they reach to their pre-fire levels. Total nitrogen amount in soils with 2 and 12 months firing history were 1.18 and 1.11 times higher than the control soils, respectively. The amount of organic carbon in surface depth (0-5 cm) of burned soils with 2 and 12 month firing backgrounds 37.25 and 24.7 percent increased in comparison to control soils, respectively. Also, fire led to a significant reduction in the amount of clay (29.25 percent) in burned areas compared to the control ones. Soil particle size distribution in control sites were in clay up to loam and in burned areas were in clay loam up to sandy loam classes. Therefore forest firing causes obvious changes in soil properties, remediation of which takes more than one year.
M. Tayebi, M. Naderi, J. Mohammadi,
Volume 21, Issue 3 (11-2017)
Abstract
The aim of this work was to study distribution of some heavy metals in different soil particle-size fractions and to assess their spatial distribution. The study was carried out in Kafe Moor (Kerman, Iran) where the Gol-Gohar Iron Mine is located. One hundred twenty composite soil samples were randomly collected and transferred to the laboratory in bags. After air-drying, the samples were fractionated into six classes including 2- 0.5, 0.5-0.25, 0.25-0.125, 0.125- 0.075, 0.075-0.05 and <0.05 mm. Elemental concentrations (Fe, Mn, Cu, Zn, Pb and Ni) were determined using acid digestion method (HNO3, 4.0 N) and an atomic absorption spectrophotometer in each class. Ordinary Kriging technique was used for predicting spatial distribution of heavy metals. The results showed that content of metals in soil increased with decreasing particle size. The results also showed that the concentration of Fe, Mn, Cu, Zn, Pb and Ni in <0.05 mm size fraction were 2.13, 1.70, 4.79,2.43, 1.42, and 3.47 times higher than in 2-0.05 mm size fraction, respectively. In addition, mapping the concentrations of heavy metals with kiriging showed that metals pollution decreased with increasing distance from mines area.
K. Nosrati, M. Majdi,
Volume 21, Issue 4 (2-2018)
Abstract
The soil pollution especially in urban soils is projected to increase drastically and its effects on chemical cycles are yet to be known. Approaches to measure air and water quality are well established, but urban soil quality assessment has received little attention. Soil quality assessment can help as a way to better understand the pollution increase outcomes in urban environments and to establish approaches and integrated soil quality assessment protocols in urban planning and landscape management. Considering lack of information in urban soil quality of Iran, the objective of this study was to assess soil quality under urban land use effect using minimum data set in western part of Tehran. In view of this, 56 soil samples were collected in three land use types of agricultural, parks and urban landscapes, and vacant urban lots and 12 physicochemical properties were measured. The results of analysis of variance (one-way ANOVA) showed that under influence of the land use types, organic carbon, total nitrogen, lime, bulk density and sodium have significant differences. The factor analysis was used to select minimum data set and the results showed that two factors with eigenvalues more than one, explaining more than 68% of total variance, have the most loading factors on organic carbon and sodium. Finally, soil quality indicator (SQI) was determined and compared in different land use types. The results showed that SQI has significant difference in urban land use types and the least soil quality is related to vacant urban lots.
F. Masoudi, M. Shirvani,
Volume 21, Issue 4 (2-2018)
Abstract
Water and soil pollution with heavy metals has become a worldwide environmental issue. Therefore, development of efficient and low-cost methods for removal of metals from water or metal stabilization in soil has been identified as priority research areas. Biochar, produced from plant biomass and agricultural wastes, has recently been used to remove heavy metals from aqueous solutions as an effective sorbent. In this study, biochars were made from pyrolysis of palm tree residues at different temperatures of 200, 400 and 600 °C. The prepared biochars were then used to remove Ni from aqueous solutions in batch systems without pH adjustment and with pH adjustment at 7. To investigate Ni sorption rate, kinetic experiments were also carried out at a Ni concentration of 10 mg/L. The results of kinetic tests showed that the biochar prepared at 600 °C had more Ni sorption rate with equilibration time of about 5 h. Power function and Elovich models were the best equations fitted the kinetic data. Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms described sorption of Ni on the sorbents very well. According to the Langmuir model predictions, the biochar produced at 600 °C and the palm raw residues had highest and the lowest capacity to sorb Ni from the solution, respectively, and the biochars produced at 200°C and 400°C were intermediate in this respect. Both the capacity and affinity of the biochars for Ni sorption increased with pH. Overall, under the experimental conditions applied in this study, the biochar prepared at 600 °C showed the highest efficiency for Ni removal from aqueous solution.
S. Zahedi, K. Shahedi, M. Habibnejhad Roshan, K. Solaimani, K. Dadkhah,
Volume 21, Issue 4 (2-2018)
Abstract
Soil depth is a major soil characteristic commonly used in distributed hydrological modeling in order to present watershed subsurface attributes. It strongly affects water infiltration and accordingly runoff generation, subsurface moisture storage, vertical and lateral moisture movement, saturation thickness and plant root depth in the soil. The objective of this study is to develop a statistical model that predicts the spatial pattern of soil depth over the watershed from topographic and land cover variables derived from DEM and satellite image, respectively. A 10 m resolution DEM was prepared using 1:25000 topographic maps. Landsat8 imagery, OLI sensor (May 06, 2015) was used to derive different land cover attributes. Soil depth, topographic curvature, land use and vegetation characteristics were surveyed at 426 profiles within the four sub-watersheds. Box Cox transformations were used to normalize the measured soil depth and each explanatory variable. Random Forest prediction model was used to predict soil depth using the explanatory variables. The model was run using 336 data points in the calibration dataset with all 31 explanatory variables (18 variables from DEM and 13 variables from remote sensing image), and soil depth as the response of the model. Prediction errors were computed for validation data set. Testing dataset was done with the model soil depth values at testing locations (93 points). The Nash-Sutcliffe Efficiency coefficient (NSE) for testing data set was 0.689. The results showed that land use, Specific Catchment Area (SCA), NDVI, Aspect, Slope and PCA1 are the most important explanatory variables in predicting soil depth.
M. Karamooz, M. Hamidpour,
Volume 22, Issue 1 (6-2018)
Abstract
Siderophores are low molecular weight iron-binding ligands produced by aerobic soil microorganisms and some plants roots. They may also develop complexes with other metals such as Cd, thereby influencing the bio-availability, toxicity and mobility of Cd in the soils and aqueous environments. The main objective of this study was to investigate the effects of desferal siderophore (DFOB) on the adsorption of Cd on muscovite. The adsorption of Cd on muscovite was studied as a function of pH (Cd concentration: 5.0 mg L-1) in the range of 3.0-8.0, as a function of metal concentration (Cd concentration in the range of 1.5-10.0 mg L-1); this was done in the absence and presence of siderophore (DFOB concentration 250 μM) using a 24h batch equilibration experiment. The results of pH dependent experiments showed that the siderophore deceased the adsorption of Cd onto muscovite at pH ≥5. The results of the isotherms experiments also showed that the removal of Cd from solution was affected by siderophore in all equilibrium concentrations of Cd at both pHs. Siderophore decreased the adsorption of Cd by the mineral. The Freundlich and Langmuir isotherms described the equilibrium data satisfactorily. The values of Freundlich (KF) and Langmuir (KL) bonding constants were greater in the suspensions without siderophore, as compared to those containing siderophore, thereby indicating the low adsorption affinity of Cd on muscovite in the presence of the siderophore.
M. Hosseini, E. Adhami, H. R Owliaie,
Volume 22, Issue 1 (6-2018)
Abstract
Cadmium (Cd) is of special importance among heavy metals because its toxicity to the plant is 20 times higher than other heavy metals. The present study was conducted to evaluate the trend of available soil Cd changes over time and its relationship with soil properties. Treatments consisted of 13 soil samples and two Cd rates (12.5 and 25 mg kg-1) as a factorial in a complete randomized design with two replications. DTPA extractable Cd was measured upon 5, 10, 20, 30, 60 and 90 days after adding Cd rates to the soils. The results showed that DTPA extractable Cd was increased as Cd application rates was raised in all soils. DTPA extractable Cd was decreased over time; however, at the end of the experiment, much of the added cadmium to the soil remained in use. Among the soil properties, calcium carbonate showed a significant negative correlation with DTPA extractable Cd in most of the incubation times in both Cd rates. DTPA extractable Cd also showed a significant negative correlation with pH and soil sand and a significant positive correlation with OC. Also, the results of the fitting of cadmium adsorption data with the kinetic equations showed that the exponential function equation was the most suitable kinetics descriptive equation for variations in cadmium adsorption in the studied soils.
A Fararooei, M. Noshadi, S. Amin Sichani,
Volume 22, Issue 1 (6-2018)
Abstract
PCBs are persistent organic pollutants which, due to high environmental hazards, must be traced, determined, and decomposed to reduce their risks. . To detect this material in the soil, the method of extraction and appropriate measuring conditions should be investigated. Two soil samples with two kg weight were selected with two different soil textures and the solutions of soil were made with the 1000 µg/ml aroclor 1254 mixture in a GC device. . Agilent GC-MS with stationary phase (CP 7477) was used to measure aroclor 1254. The analysis of variance and the test of the extraction mean of aroclor 1254 were compared in two soil textures. The results suggested that coarse texture soil (sandy loam) had a higher extract than the fine one (silty loam). The difference was statistically significant (P< 0.01). These findings suggested that the soil texture affected the extraction of aroclor from soil. In addition, four different levels of moisture (5%, 10%, 15% and 20%) produced in two soil textures and aroclor were measured. The highest level of extraction was obtained at 20% moisture, which was significantly higher than that in other levels (P< 0.01). The difference between the mean of extractions in the soil samples with 10% and 15% levels of moisture was non-significant (P> 0.05).
A. R. Vaezi, Y. Mazloom Aliabadi,
Volume 22, Issue 1 (6-2018)
Abstract
Water loss and nutrients loss are one of the important signs of natural resource degradation in the catchments. The amount of loss of these resources is affected by several factors including the characteristics of rainfall. In this study, the data of stream discharge (Q), total dissolve solids (TDS), and total nutrient loss ratio (NR) along with rainfall characteristics were analyzed for the events from1988 to 2002 in the Tahamchai catchment, which is owned by a regional water company. Moreover, soil properties were determined by soil sampling from different points in the catchment surface. Based on the results, there was a significant correlation between Q of the river and rainfall height (r=0.24, p<0.05), while its correlations with the rainfall intensity and duration were not statistically significant. On the one hand, this result was due to the inverse relationship between rainfall intensity and rainfall duration; on the other hand, due to the temporal variations in vthe egetation cover in the area, it controlled Q in the intensive rainfalls. The highest Q was in spring (1.68 m3 sec-1) and March (2.58 m3 sec-1). In this period, rainfall height was high and the rainfalls interval was short. Moreover, vegetation cover was weak, so it could not control surface runoff and reduce Q in the catchment. TDS and NR also significantly varied during the months and their highest values were observed in December (282.55 mg l-1) and (61.77 mg l-1), respectively. Mg2+ had the highest amount of water loss in the catchment area. A negative correlation was found between Q and TDS (r=0.41, p<0.001) and NR (r=0.31, p<0.001). This study revealed that spring and autumn were the sensitive period for water loss and nutrient loss in the catchment, respectively. Therefore, promoting the vegetation cover in early spring and reducing improper agricultural practices (tillage and fertilization) could be substantial strategies contributing to conserving the catchment’s resources.
N. Abbasi, A. A. Afsharian,
Volume 22, Issue 1 (6-2018)
Abstract
Gypsiferous soils are one of the problematic soils which, due to solubility and contact with water, are a threat to various civil structures, especially water structures. Various factors affect the rate and amount of gypsum particles solubility. Gypsum types, the soil texture, the amount of gypsum in soil, the hydraulic gradient, and temperature and flowing water from gypsum soil are the major factors affecting the quality and quantity of the gypsum solution. In this research, the effects of some peripheral conditions including water temperature and hydraulic gradient on the solubility of gypsum soils were studied. To this aim, samples of gypsum soils were provided artificially by adding various rates of the natural gypsum rock including 0, 5, 10, 20 and 30 percent by weight of clay soil. Then, all gypsum soils were leached under five hydraulic gradients levels including 0.5, 1, 2, 5 and 10. The results indicated that the rate of Gypsum in the soil had a direct effect on the rate of solution in a way that by increasing the percent of Gypsum, the rate of solubility was increased. Also, the rate of leaching (the rate of the derived Gypsum from soil to the primary rate of Gypsum) was decreased by increasing the rate of Gypsum. In addition, by increasing hydraulic gradient, the speed of water and its amount in soil environment within a specified time were raised; further the rate of gypsum was increased too. Also, it was found that the rate of the solubility was increased directly by the temperature. The solubility rate of the gypsum soil at 50 C0 was found to be 2.5 and 1.6 times greater than that of the soil at 5 and 20 C0, respectively.
Y. Abdoli, S. Jafari,
Volume 22, Issue 1 (6-2018)
Abstract
This study was done to evaluate the effect of topography, water table, and irrigation on gypsc soil development and clay mineral diversity in Ram-Hormuz Plain, Khuzestan Province. To localize, 10 profiles in this region that covered all purpose irrigation and topography situation were described. The results showed that the soils could be classified in Entisols, Inceptisols and Aridisols orders. All soil epipedons were ochric and subsurface horizons were cambic, gypsic, and salic. The salic horizons were formed under a low water table. The XRD results showed that smectite, kaolinite, illite, chlorite, palygorskite, vermiculite and sepiolite were the dominant minerals, respectively. Kaolinite and illite were inherited from the parent material, but chlorite was the result of both inheritance and transformation of other clay minerals except uncultivated or non-irrigated soils. Sepiolite was decreased in gypsic horizons, but palygorskite was increased in these horizons. Sepiolite was raised with increasing the depth under the good drainage class; this could be related to neoformation, but it was decreased with depth under the weak drainage class. These results could be due to the instability of this mineral in high moisture and its low Mg activity. There was also a negative correlation correlation between Palygorskite and smectite; this was such that most palygorskite was observed in the surface horizons, but smectite was in the subsurface. Smectite was the dominant clay mineral in the studied soils; it was formed from the weathering of other minerals as well as from neoformed ones in the lowlands. Vermiculite was formed in these soils due to k depletion by leaching or plant absorption. This happened in the illite to smectite transformation process. Therefore, topography and irrigation could be regarded as the main factors putting these soils in high category; also, clay mineral assemblage was different under this situation in these soils.
