Abstract
The Gypsisols and Gypsic Solonchaks of the Middle Euphrates Floodplain from Syria are described and characterised. These soils are developed on alluvial fans and glacises consisting of gypsiferous water-deposited sediments transported from the neighbouring higher areas. The profile of these Gypsisols is better developed than that of the upland Gypsisols. The main characteristics of the studied Gypsisols and Gypsic Solonchaks are presented. There are good correlations between CaCO 3 content, humus content or CEC on the one hand and clay content on the other hand. The pedogenetic processes are very slightly expressed and consist mainly of a low bioaccumulation reflected in an ochric A horizon and a slight migration of gypsum and accumulation of gypsum in a subsurface gypsic or petrogypsic horizon. Due to gypsum migration, higher contents of CaCO 3 are found in the upper horizons (`residual' accumulation). In poorly drained areas, with shallow ground water, the soluble salts accumulate in the upper soil horizon, generating Gypsic Solonchaks. Careful observations of field morphology are needed to identify secondary gypsum to diagnose a gypsic horizon in the case of soils developed in stratified gypsiferous parent materials. It would be helpful if Soil Taxonomy would provide a Fluventic subgroup and also some subgroups depending on the content and depth of the gypsum in the soil. Providing of a Saligypsid great group instead of Gypsic and Petrogypsic subgroups of different Salids is questioned. The Gypsisols from the Middle Euphrates Floodplain are successfully cultivated by using ground water saturated with gypsum.
Published Version
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