GEOMORPHOLOGY, CHARACTERISTICES AND CLASSIFICATION OF SOILS IN SOME AREAS IN ISMAILIA GOVERNORATE, EGYPT

Abstract

The current work aims to identifying the geomorphological, characteristics and classification of soils in some areas in Ismailia governorate, Egypt. The study area is located between longitudes 32o 06′ 45 and 32o 22′ 30 E and latitudes 30o 22' 30 and 30o 57' 00 N. The integration of Remote Sensing (RS) and Geographic Information System (GIS) techniques was used to achieve this work. The geomorphic map produced by processing and identifying the Landsat 8 image indicated that,the studied area has six main geomorphic units with different landforms.These units are: 1) Depressions, 2) Terraces (including Low, and High Terraces), 3) Basins (over flow basins and Decantation basins), 4) peneplains (Low and High), 5) Sandy plains (High, Moderate and Low) and 6) Mountain (Foot slope and Crest). Twenty soil profiles were selected representing these units.The land and site features are observed and registered. The soil profiles were dug, morphologically described, and then samples were collected representing the subsequent layers in each profile for integrated physical and chemical analyses. The studied area has almost flat with deep to very deep and well drained soils. Most of the studied soils have loamy sand texture and some parts have clay loam texture. The analytical data revealed that, the studied soils are slightly alkaline, mostly non-saline and haven’t sodicity effect. The soils are moderately calcareous having Low gypsum and organic matter contents. All studies soils haven't any diagnostic horizons, therefore they affiliated to Entisols and classified as Typic Torripsaments for 89.4% and as Typic Torriorthents for 10.6%from the studied area.