Pedological characteristics of soils in the watersheds of Oueds Nekôr and Ghiss (Central Rif; Morocco)

Soukaina Ed Dakiri,Hajar El Talibi,Taoufik Mourabit,Hinde Cherkaoui Dekkaki,Issam Etebaai,Hatim Faiz,Brahim Damnati,Saida Bouzid,Jaouad Ouldchaib,Said El Moussaoui,S El Moussaoui,H El Talibi,H Cherkaoui Dekkaki,I Etebaai

doi:10.1051/e3sconf/202129804002

Soukaina Ed Dakiri, Hajar El Talibi + Show 12 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1051/e3sconf/202129804002

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Abstract

The objective of this work is the pedological characterization of soils in the watersheds of Oueds Nekôr and Ghiss. Several profiles were identified and sampled for Physico-chemical and sedimentological analyses (color index, magnetic susceptibility, pH, granulometry, water content, organic matter, and carbonates). The watersheds in question are roughly characterized by a soft and diversified lithology, a sparse vegetation cover, and a semi-arid Mediterranean climate. The soils in the Oued Nekôr watershed are of the silty type (> 50%), not very developed and relatively well-drained, and become well-drained stony in the steep and eroded areas. Soil pH varies between 7 and 8, reflecting low alkaline to alkaline soils. In the Oued Ghiss watershed, the sandstone-limestone or marl-schist soils are poorly differentiated in the steep slopes. The well-drained soils are gravelly, relatively alkaline, and show the beginning of rubefaction. Very locally on wooded flats, the soil profiles can become deep and well-differentiated due to colluvial accumulation. The dark brown eluvial A horizon is relatively rich in organic matter (3.6%). The well individualized illuvial B horizon has strongly rubbed concretions and is richer in organic matter (4.6%). The light beige C horizon corresponds to the strongly altered marl and limestone parent rock with low organic matter content (1.3%) and very low magnetic susceptibility values.

Highlights

The growing importance of environmental issues is leading to a renewed interest in soil heritage
4.1 Soil profiles of the Oued Nekôr watershed Soil profile one was taken at the foot of a reforested almond tree slope on the left bank of Oued Nekôr
The granulometric analysis reveals a predominance of the silty fraction for the different soil profiles studied in the Oued Nekôr watershed (Table 1)

Summary

Introduction

The growing importance of environmental issues is leading to a renewed interest in soil heritage. The numerous hazards to which soils are subjected weaken their structure and affect their physicochemical and biological properties [1]. Water erosion is the primary cause of soil degradation in Morocco [2]. According to the High Commission for Water and Forests and the Fight against Desertification (HCEFLCD) (1996) [3], water erosion affects about 23 million ha of Moroccan land. The north of Morocco, and some regions of the Rif, are highly exposed to water erosion and siltation of water reservoirs because of the climatic aggressiveness, the rugged terrain, the tremendous lithological sensitivity (marl, marl-limestone, etc.), and the demographic pressure that knows the northern region [6], [7], [8], [9], [10], [11], [12], [13], [14]

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