JWSS - Journal of Water and Soil Science

Traditionally, most corn field in Hamedan Province is prepared for planting by moldboard plowing followed by a number of secondary tillage operations. In recent years conservation tillage systems have become more popular. This research was conducted in the form of a split plot experimental design with six tillage treatments and three replications. Main tillage methods including: (T1) conventional tillage (moldboard plow + cyclotiller equipped with roller), (T2) combination tiller (chisel plow equipped with roller) (T3) bandary tillage with chisel blades were considered as main plots and two P fertilizer application including: (F1) fertilize broadcasting and (F2) fertilizer bandary placement were considered as sub plots. During growing seasons, soil mechanical resistance (cone index), soil bulk density and water infiltration in soil were measured. At the end of the growing season (harvesting time), corn yield and its components were measured. Results indicated that tillage methods and soil depth had a significant effect on the soil bulk density and cone index. The effect of tillage on water infiltration in soil was significant. The effect of P fertilizer application on corn yield was significant (P≤0/01) and P fertilizer bandary placement with mean corn yield of 10862 kg/ha had higher yield value than the fertilizer broadcasting with mean corn yield of 9965 kg/ha. Although the difference between tillage methods for corn yield was not statistically different, T2 treatment with mean corn yield of 10913 kg/ha had higher yield value than the other two tillage treatments (T1 with mean corn yield of 10106 kg/ha and T3 with mean corn yield of 10222 kg/ha).

This study aimed to investigate the dynamic changes of rill erosion and evaluate the ability of Hairsine-Rose model in estimation of sediment concentration. The experiments were carried out at the Soil and Water Conservation Research Station of Tehran University in Kuhin, Qazvin. Four flow rates were tested at three slopes in trapezoidal hand-made rills of 3 m long and 5 cm base width. Outflows were sampled periodically to determine changes in sediment concentration. The experiments were repeated in early autumn and mid spring. Sediment concentration showed a dynamic change with time which was affected by flow rate, slope and season. The sediment concentration was high in the first few minutes of the experiment but over time, dropped and finally reached a more or less stable state. The effects of flow rate and slope were more detectable on sediment concentration at the early unsteady conditions than at the final steady conditions. Though the temporal trends were similar, the sediment concentration was generally higher in autumn than in spring. Hairsine-rose model showed a better performance at lower flow stream powers but generally over predicted sediment concentration showing a systematic error probably due to model formulation.

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of poultry manure (PM) and derived biochars on phosphorous (P) availability and apparent recovery in a calcareous soil. Treatments consisted of four rates of P (0, 30, 60 and 90 µgg-1) and five organic substances (blank, poultry manure and derived biochars at 200, 300 and 400°C). organic substances were incorporated with 400 g of soil at 2% level (w/w). All soil treated samples plus control were incubated for 150 days. Soil P availbility determined at 8 different stage of incubation time period. Phosphorous availability was less in untreated soil samples with organic substances and also decreased with time. Although P recovery from inorganic P fertilizer was high in the early stages of incubation time compared to treated soil samples but decreased with time, if not treated with organic substances. Phosphorus availability and recovery increased with time in PM and biochares treated soil samples. Simultanous application of inorganic P and organic substances decreased apparent P recovery. Negative interaction obsorved between organic substances and high rates of inorganic P fertilizer on P availability. It was concluded that PM biochar prepared at 300°C had the highest effect on adjusting P availability in calcareous soil.

Bi-level drainage system is a type of underground drainage systems, in which adjacent drainage lines are installed at different depths. In the Hydraulics Laboratory, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, a model was built, that include a cube tank 2 meters in length, width and height of 1 meters was made ​​of galvanized. In this model, two rows 20 cm apart from each other drains were installed. As drainage, a pipe of three layers to the outer diameter of 16 mm was made of PVC. Within this model of stratified soil was used as a soil layer of low permeability with a hydraulic conductivity of 1.15 cm per hour, thickness of 20 cm soil layer between two light soil layer with 30-cm thickness for bottom layer and 20 cm for the top layer with a hydraulic conductivity of 1.55 cm per hour. For accurate measurement of the water table Behavior in the soil at each point of the model, some piezometer distance of 10 cm from each other on the floor model was installed. After Outfit of model with blow-off valve, Experiments with a heavy irrigation for different intervals between depths of 30 and 50 cm were used in drainage and water table elevation values ​​as observed values ​​were extracted from the model. The results show that the values ​​obtained from Upadhyaya and Chauhan Equation only in small area of water table profiles, which include an area of between the two drainage, are consistent with observed and with a wider distance between deep and shallow drainage, time of drop in water table increased.

Mapping the spatial distribution of soil taxonomic classes is important for useful and effective use of soil and management decisions. Digital soil mapping (DSM) may have advantages over conventional soil mapping approaches as it may better capture observed spatial variability and reduce the need to aggregate soil types. A key component of any DSM activity is the method used to define the relationship between soil observations and environmental covariates. This study aims to compare multiple logistic regression models and covariate sets for predicting soil taxonomic classes in Bam district, Kerman province. The environmental covariates derived from digital elevation models, Landsat imagery, geomorphology map and soil unit map that were divided into two different sets: (1) variables derived from digital elevation models, remote sensing and geomorphology map, (2) variables derived from digital elevation model, remote sensing, geomorphology map and the soil map. Stratified sampling schemes were defined in 100000 hectares, and 126 soil profiles were excavated and described. The results of accuracy model showed that data set 2 increased accuracy of model including overall accuracy, kappa index, user accuracy and reliability of the producer. The results showed that the multiple logistic regression model can promote traditional soil mapping and it can be used to large group of other scientific fields.
 

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.

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.
 
 

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.
 

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.
 

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.
 

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.
 

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.
 

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%.
 

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.
 

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.
 

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.