Aeolian Plain Research Articles

The largest Quaternary inland eolian system in Brazil: Eolian landforms and activation/stabilization phases of the Xique-Xique dune field

Eolian systems are sensitive to vegetation and climate changes, but also to the sediment supplied by neighbor depositional systems. This sensitivity is manifested in the alternation between periods of sand dune mobility and stability. In the Xique-Xique eolian system, the largest Quaternary interior dune field in Brazil (∼8000 km2), the neighboring depositional system responsible for the sand supply is the São Francisco River. We interpreted periods of dune activity and stabilization by mapping eolian landforms of this system, describing depositional facies under them and dating by optically stimulated luminescence (OSL-SAR). The stabilized parabolic landforms characterized and mapped (all formed by SE to E winds) were simple megadunes (25.5 ± 4.4 to 5.8 ± 2.0 ka), compound dunes (15.8 ± 1.2 to 5.2 ± 1.4 ka) and perched dunes (14.0 ± 1.0 and 1.2 ± 0.1 ka). We also recognized eolian plains (14.0 ± 2.1 to 6.5 ± 0.7 ka) and active parabolic dunes. Eolian deposits of undifferentiated landforms have also been described and dated (253.8 ± 19.0 to 8.2 ± 1.3 ka). The ages obtained allowed identification of two main phases of dune activity (∼60 to 18 ka and ∼16 to 5 ka) separated by a short period of stabilization marked by a paleosol (∼18 ka). The main periods of eolian activity are associated with phases of fluvial aggradation and high sediment supply, whereas dune stabilization since 5 ka is correlated with low sediment supply during the Late Holocene fluvial incision phase. The periods of eolian activity and stabilization respond not only to climate changes in the area occupied by the eolian system but mainly to local fluvial sediment supply by the river, which in turn can respond to more regional climatic controls. The Xique-Xique eolian system results from the coupling of abundant sediment supply from the fluvial system, high eastern wind speeds, and a significant wind deceleration caused by mountains on the western border of the dune field.

Geothermal System in Parang Wedang, Yogyakarta, Indonesia

Geothermal manifestations in Parangtritis, Indonesia, known as Parang Wedang Hot Spring, indicate a geothermal system in the subsurface. This circumstance motivated our research to model the Parang Wedang geothermal system in order to determine its subsurface conditions. Geological mapping, the geophysical method, and geochemical analysis were integrated to produce a conceptual model of the Parang Wedang geothermal system. The study area consists of structural hills, karst hills, and eolian plains with andesite breccias, limestone, andesite, and sand deposits as lithological variations. The results of magnetic modeling indicate that the research area is associated with the presence of an andesite intrusion and shows a NE-SW trending geological structure that is thought to be a path for hydrothermal fluid to the surface. Geochemical analysis was performed at two hot springs with temperatures of 47 °C and 49 °C. Geothermometer calculation showed that the geothermal reservoir in Parang Wedang has a temperature of 100 to 120 °C, a depth of about 180 to 285 m, and can be classified as a low enthalpy geothermal system.

Evaluation for Some Soils of Al-Bahariya Oases and The Optimal Planning for Their Agricultural Exploitation تقييم بعض أراضي الواحات البحرية والتخطيط الأمثل لاستغلالها زراعيا

The aim of this investigation is to study the characteristics of Al-Bawoiti soils for evaluating their capability and suitability for growing main crops using Remote Sensing (RS), Geographic Information Systems (GIS), and Sys, Model. Thirty-one representative soil profiles were selected. The profiles were morphological described and samples were collected representing the vertical variation for different laboratory analysis. According to the RS and GIS works three geomorphic units are recognized. These units are depression plain (18.06%), Aeolian plain (28.9%), and Pediplain (53.04%). The correlation between geomorphic unit and soils was carried out and then the soil maps where created using the ArcGIS 10.4.1 software. Based on the soil characteristics, the studied soil were evaluated according to their suitability for agriculture. In the current situation, they categorized into their capability classes namely, moderately suitable (S2=1.88%), marginally suitable (S3=85.87%), and not suitable (N=12.24%). These soils are suffering from limitations of texture class, salinity and alkalinity, topography and soil depth with different intensity degrees (slight, moderate, and severe). The severity of these limitations could be corrected by future land improvement according the potential suitability of the most studied soils could be improved to highly suitable (S1=0.2%), moderately suitable (S2=25.97%), marginally suitable (S3=73.53%), and not suitable (N2= 0.3%).Moreover, the suitability of 18 main crops in these soils was evaluated in the current and potential situation. The potential suitability of the soils for these crops could be improved according to the satisfaction conditions between soil properties and crops requirements. Keywords: Remote Sensing (RS), Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Land Evaluation.

CHARACTERISTICES, CLASSIFICATION AND EVALUATION OF SOILS IN THE AREA SOUTHEAST EL-SADAT CITY, MENOUFIA GOVERNORATE, EGYPT

The current work was performed in 2019 aiming to study the geomorphological and pedological characteristics as well as classification and capability evaluation for soils in the area southeastern El-Sadat City, Menoufia governorate, Egypt. The study area is located at the western side of the Nile-Delta in the east of Cairo-Alexandria desert highway adjacent to the Rashid branch of the River Nile, Menoufia governorate, Egypt. 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 image using RS and GIS technology indicated that,the studied area has three main geomorphic units with different landforms.These three main units are 1) Alluvial Plain includes three landforms namely: High Terraces (17.33% of the studied area), Moderate Terraces (5.87%) and Low Terraces (11.48%); 2) Pediplain with two landforms namely: High Terraces (16.22 %) and Low Terraces (12.47%); 3) as well as Aeolian Plain with three landforms namely: High Terraces (7.08%), Moderate Terraces (4.97%) and Low Terraces (24.58%). Nineteen soil profiles were chosen to represent the different geomorphic and landform units.The land and site features are observed and registered. Thesoil profiles were dug, morphologically described, and then samples were collected representing the subsequent layers in each profile for integrated physical and chemical analyses. Also, irrigation water samples were collected and analyzed especially for land capability evaluation. The studied area has almost flat to slightly undulated topography. Soils were deep to very deep where they were well drained. Most of the soils have gravely sand to gravely loamy sand texture except the soils of low Alluvial plain terraces that have clay loam texture. The analytical data revealed that, the studied soils are slightly to moderately alkaline, mostly non-saline and haven’t sodicity effect. Few parts showed a sodic horizon feature. The soils are slightly to moderately calcareous having Low gypsum and Organic matter contents. Most of the soils haven't any diagnostic horizons, therefore they were classified under Entisols. The few soils having sodic horizon were classified under Aridisols. The land capability evaluation indicated that, most of the studied soils (92.18%) are affiliated to the Fair, C3 class. Rest of the soils are classified either as a Good capability class, C2, (4.52%), or as a Poor capability class, C4 (3.30%).

PEDOCHEMICAL STUDIES ON DESERTIC SOILS OF EL SADAT CITY AND NOUBARIA USING SPECTRAL REFLECTANCE.

The current investigation aims to study the geomorphological and pedochemical characteristics of El Noubaria and El-Sadat city soils using the spectral reflectance and GIS technology. Soil classification and land evaluation are also carried out. Moreover, an electromagnetic induction instrument (Profiler EMI-400) was used to assessing soil salinity in the field for selected parts in these areas. Three main geomorphic units were identified in El-Sadat area namely, Flood Plain (3,02% from this area), Alluvial Plain (32,25%), and Aeolian Plain (58,13%). Also, three main geomorphic units were identified in El Noubaria studied area namely, Alluvial Plain (2,78% from this area), Elongated Hills (32,79%), and Calcareous Valley (58,7%). Fifty-five profiles were selected representing the soils of El Sadat units and sixty-four profiles were selected to represent the soils of El Noubaria units. Land and site features are observed and registered. Soil profiles were dug deep down to 150 cm, morphologically described, and samples were collected representing the subsequent layers in each profile for integrated physiochemical analyses. Moreover, the EMI-400 instrument was used for assessing soil salinity in the field for three selected parts in the two studied areas. Soils of the two studied areas are deep having almost flat to gently undulating topography and well drainage system. The soils of El-Sadat area have mostly loamy sand texture while, the soils of El Noubaria have loamy texture. All studied soils are slightly to moderately alkaline, non-to slightly saline especially in some parts of El Noubairia having low Organic matter (OM) and gypsum contents. The soils of El-Sadat area are slightly calcareous, whereas, that of El Noubaria area are strongly calcareous. Most of El-Sadat soils are classified as Typic Torripsaments and some as Typic Torriorthents. While, most of El Noubaria soils are classified as Typic Haplocalcids. According to the land suitability evaluation, most of studied soils are categorized into grade S1. The other soil categories could be maintained by reclaiming their limitations. The statistical analyses indicated that, there was a high significant correlation coefficient between EMI-400 readings and lab determined EC (dSm-1) for measuring soil salinity in the two upper layers in all studied soils especially at band of 15 KHz. The integration between RS and GIS technology was used to produce results and all geomorphic, suitability and salt distribution maps in this work.

MINERALOGICAL STUDIES ON CLAY AND SAND FRACTIONS AS WELL AS HOMOGENEITY OF SOILS IN SOUTH TUSHKA AREA, EGYPT

The present work was carried out to study the mineralogical composition of the clay and sand fractions of some soils located at Tushka area between Latitudes 22o 00 and 23o 28N, and longitudes 30o 00 and 32o 00E. To fulfill this objective Landsat 8 image and digital elevation model (DEM) of the studied area were used to define the geomorphic units of the studied area. The geomorphic units of the area under consideration could be grouped and described as Young Alluvial Plain, Old alluvial Plains, Pedi Plain, Playa and Aeolian Plain. The different geomorphic units were represented by 26 soil profiles. The obtained results indicate that, the studied soils are dominated by Kaolinite clay mineral followed by montmorillonite, interstratified minerals and illites. Also, chlorite minerals are presented in variable frequency depending on the parent material of these soils. The minerals assemblage are interpreted in terms of lithology and depositional environments. The mode of formation of the pre-wet climatic condition is in contrast to the present aridity status. Mineralogical composition of the sand fraction showed that, light minerals are the major component and mainly dominated by quartz which constitutes more them 89%. Feldspars are depicted with a few amounts not exceed 11% and represented by plagioclase, orthoclase and microcline. On the other hand, heavy minerals are dominated by opaques which constitute from 33% to 60.3%. Non-opaque minerals are dominated by pyroboles (pyroxene + Amphiboles,) followed by very stable minerals (Zircon, rutile and tourmaline). Slightly stable minerals (garnet and epidote) and stable minerals (staurolite, kyanite, silimanite and andalusite) are found in less pronounced amounts. The frequency distribution of very stable minerals (Zircon, rutile and tourmaline) and weathering ratios lead to conclusion that, the studied soils are heterogeneous either due to their multi-origin and or multi-depositional regimes.

Utilizing Sustainable Land Management Model for Sustainability Index Assessment in El-Minufiya Governorate, Egypt

This study aims to assess Sustainable Land Management Index (SLMI) for the soils in El-Minufiya Governorate through five indices (productivity index, security index, protection index, economic viability index and social acceptability index). The studied area, lies between latitudes 31° 5' and 31° 25' N and longitudes 30° 10' and 30° 40' E, and occupied 217160 hectares. The two Nile branches (Rosetta and Damietta branches) pass the Governorate. Thus, the land use in rural areas of the Governorate is mainly agriculture. The area included two landscapes; Flood plain and Aeolian plain. Soils in the investigated area were classified under one soil order, Entisols and classified as Typic Torrifluvents, Vertic Torrifluvents and Typic Torripsamments. Fifteen soil profiles were dug to represent El-MinufiyaGovernorate soils. An SLMI model was designed using the spatial geoprocessing tools of ArcGIS by integration between biophysical, socioeconomic and environmental factors for soils of each mapping unit. Four SLMI classes were outlined; the overflowmantles, overflow basins mapping units (Class I) representing 24.1 % (52333 ha) of the total area, the river levees,decantation basins, high river terraces, moderate river terraces and low river terraces mapping units (Class II) covering 48.3% (104991 ha) of the total area, turtle backs mapping unit (Class III) occupying 0.3% (642 ha) of total area and Class (IV) that not meeting sustainability found in sand sheets mapping unit occupying 16.7% (36255 ha) of the total area.

Assessment of Land Degradation Risk in El-minufiya Governorate, Egypt

El-Minufiya Governorate represents the traditional agriculture in the Nile Delta of Egypt and includes old cultivated and newly reclaimed soils; it represents an area of 217160 ha. GIS and remote sensing are integrated to determine the risk of soil degradation in the studied area. Fifteen soil profiles have been described and collected samples. There were two landscapes: flood plain and aeolian plain. The main landforms are levees (L), overflow mantles (O), overflow basins (B1), decantation basins (B2), recent river terraces (R1 high, R2 moderate and R3 low), turtle backs (T) and sand sheets (S). Compaction (C), water logging (W), Salinization (S) and alkalinization (A), are the main degradation hazards in the studied area and the rate of hazards was low to very high. Soils affected by very high hazard of salinity represented 16.70%, of the total area. The very high hazard of compaction was present in 35.15% of the total area as a result of human activities, inadequate soil management, and using heavy machinery. Soils affected by a high hazard of salinity, compaction and water logging represented 14.66%, 3.60% and 20.50% of the total area, respectively. Moderate hazard of salinity, sodicity, compaction and water logging represented 36.50%, 33.70%, 34.00% and 79.50% of the total area, respectively. A simple model was used to estimate land degradation risk, based on an equation by FAO/UNEP model. A portion of 39.60% of area has a very high chemical degradation and low physical degradation risk in L, B2, R1 and R2 mapping units. The area of low chemical degradation and moderate physical degradation class is 17.00% of study area in T and S mapping units. The area of low physical and chemical degradation is 32.80% of study area in O, B1 and R3. Changes of land use/land cover classes during 1987 to 2018 indicate urban sprawl. Most of soils in the study area showed several categories of land use/land cover change due to agriculture activities and urban growth.

El registro paleoambiental del Pleistoceno tardío al presente en la Laguna de Lobos, Buenos Aires, Argentina

Se caracterizó el medio físico del ambiente, la fisiografía, régimen hidrológico y la historia geológica de la cubeta lagunar. La geología superficial está representada por seis unidades litoestratigráficas y dos pedoestratigráficas, que abarcan del Pleistoceno temprano al tardío y del Holoceno medio al presente. La más antigua, la Formación Ensenada, constituye el sustrato regional, sobre el cual se ubican cuatro unidades eólicas, las Formaciones Buenos Aires, La Postrera I, III y IV, los Geosuelos Sin Nombre y Puesto Berrondo y el Aluvio reciente. Los sedimentos colmatantes fueron obtenidos mediante perforaciones, reconociéndose siete unidades litoestratigráficas (cinco subácueas y dos subaéreas). Las subácueas corresponden a la Formación Luján, Miembros La Chumbiada, Lobos, Río Salado y Monte (Pleistoceno tardío al Holoceno tardío) y al Aluvio reciente. Los depósitos subaéreos a las Formaciones La Postrera I y IV del Pleistoceno tardío y Holoceno tardío-tardío, respectivamente. La excavación de la cubeta se inició en la etapa seca del ?Bonaerense?, la posterior alternancia climática: seco-húmedo facilitó la evolución. Las etapas secas se caracterizaron por deflación, generación de cubetas, sabkhas o lagos salados, precipitación de sales y acumulación de depósitos eólicos. En las húmedas predominó la sedimentación y la pedogénesis. De esta manera, el conjunto de depósitos posteriores a la Formación Ensenada está representado por cinco episodios de clima seco, que abarcan del Glacial Temprano a la Pequeña Edad de Hielo y cinco húmedos, cuyas acumulaciones límnicas conforman los cuatro miembros de la Formación Luján, el aluvio actual y los suelos sincrónicos S4, S1 y S0.

LAND EVALUATION OF SOME AREAS OF EL-FAYOUM DEPRESSION, EGYPT USING REMOTE SENSING AND GIS TECHNIQUES

The purpose of this study is to evaluate some soils in ElFayoum depression using Remote Sensing (RS) and Geographic Information System (GIS). For this purpose, twenty-five soil profiles and seventy-two minipits were described in the field and their representative samples were laboratory analyzed. Using, geological map, Digital Elevation Model (DEM) and visual interpretation of satellite data a physiographic soil map was produced to present soil mapping units of the studied area. The area under investigation was classified into four landscape units, i.e. Alluvial Plain, Lacustrine Plain, Aeolian Plain and finally lake and lagoon (13.14 % of the total studied area). Soil taxonomic unit were identified. These soils can classified into Aridisols, Vertisols, and Entisols orders. Land capability was used to evaluate the soils of studied area. According to modified Storie Index model. The area is classified into five capability grades reflect the limitation factors. Grade 1 about 41.85 % without any limiting factors, Grade 2 about 15.94 % where the soil main limiting factor is soil profile depth, Grade 3 about 17.30 %, where soil depth of soil profile. Texture and salinity are the main limiting factors, Grade 4 about 6.91 %. Where the limiting factors are soil depth and salinity. Grade 5 about 4.86 % represented the most area of shallow soils. Four crops were selected to assess soil suitability for cultivation in the studied area, i.e. wheat, barley, cotton and olive. The results indicated that olive was the best crop for growing in such soils.

Holocene tectono-geomorphic evolution of Haryana plains, Western Ganga plain, India

Haryana plain is the drainage divide between the Ganga plain in the east and the Indus plain in the west. Being a part of the Himalayan foreland, its geomorphology, sedimentation processes, and tectonism are broadly controlled by the Himalayan tectonics. Soil and geomorphological mapping in Haryana plain bring out geomorphic features such as paleochannels, various active drainage patterns, and landforms such as old fluvial plains, floodplains, piedmonts, pediments, terminal fans, and eolian plains. Based on the degree of soil development, and Optical stimulated luminescence (OSL) ages, the soil-geomorphic units were grouped into six members (QIMS-I to VI) (Quaternary Indus Morphostratigraphic Sequence) of a morphostratigraphic sequence: QIMS-VI 9.86–5.38 Ka, QIMS-V 5.38–4.45 Ka, QIMS-IV 4.45–3.60 Ka, QIMS-III 3.60–2.91 Ka, QIMS-II < 2.91–1.52 Ka, and QIMS-I < 1.52 Ka. OSL chronology of different geomorphic features suggests six episodes of tectono-geomorphic evolution in the region since 10 Ka. Neotectonic features such as nine faults, two lineaments, and five fault-bounded tectonic blocks have been identified. Independent tilting and sagging of the blocks in response to neotectonics have resulted in modification of landforms, depositional processes, and hydro-geomorphology of the region. Major rivers like the Yamuna, the Ghaggar, and the Sutlej show different episodes of shifting of their courses. Lineament controlled few extinct channels have been recorded between 20 and 25 m depth below the surface in the ground-penetrating radar (GPR) profiles. These buried channels are aligned along the paleo-course of the Lost Saraswati River interpreted from the existing literature and hence are considered as the course of the lost river. Seven terminal fans have been formed on the downthrown blocks of the associated faults. The Markanda Terminal Fan, the first of such features described, is indeed a splay terminal fan and was formed by a splay distributary system of the Markanda River. Association of three terminal fans of different ages with the Karnal fault indicates the segment-wise development of the fault from west to east. Also, comparison with other such studies in the Ganga plain to further east suggests that the terminal fans formed by streams with distributary drainage pattern occur only in semiarid regions as in the present area and thus are indicators of semiarid climate/paleoclimate. Though the whole region is tectonically active, the region between the Rohtak fault and Hisar fault is most active at present signified by the concentration of earthquake epicenters.

Background levels of zinc, iron, manganese and copper in soil series of Haryana and their relationship with soil properties

The availability of micronutrients under Aeolian plain, alluvial plain and Aravali hills soils of Haryana may be influenced due to different agro-climatic features and also variation in physico-chemical properties of the soil, which may ultimately affect the optimum crop yield. The soils are neutral to alkaline in reaction, safe in electrical conductivity, low to high in organic carbon content and slightly calcareous in nature. According to the concept of soil nutrient index soils are deficient in DTPA-Zn while sufficient in DTPA-Mn, Fe and Cu content which underlines the need of Zn application in order to enhancing the crop productivity. Thus, it is clear from the investigation that available Zn, Cu, Fe and Mn concentration in soil of different districts in various soil series varied considerably in alluvial zone of Haryana. Organic carbon content in soil was found positively and significantly correlated with DTPA extractable Zn, Cu and Fe. Soil pH did not show any relationship with available Zn, Cu, Fe and Mn in all the soils falls under different series.

Multiscale effects on biological soil crusts cover and spatial distribution in the Monte Desert

Biological soil crusts (BSC) play diverse roles in arid and semi-arid ecosystems such as increasing soil fertility and reducing soil loss due to aeolian and hydric erosion, but they are very sensitive to disturbances. These attributes point to the relevance of BSC for soil conservation and restoration. In order to use BSC for restoration of degraded soils, we need to understand the ecological drivers of BSC. In this study, we analyzed the effect of environmental factors on BSC cover at different spatial scales in the central Monte Desert (Argentina), including landform, slope, aspect, vascular plants, and disturbance intensity. We evaluated the effects of different factors with linear mixed effect models, comparing the adjustment of models of different complexity, which included different number of factors. First, at the landscape scale, we analyzed BSC cover in two geomorphological units with different soils, topography, and vegetation. BSC cover was higher in the old riverbed, which has a higher proportion of fine clay soil particles, than in the aeolian plain. Disturbance effects were apparent in the old riverbed, showing increasing BSC cover at higher distances from settlements, and BSC located both, under and outside plant canopies. At the mesoscale, we found no differences of BSC cover in dune flanks and inter-dune valleys of the aeolian plain. Finally, at the microscale, BSC patches of higher surface cover were found in association with vascular plants (Larrea divaricata, Bulnesia retama, Lycium sp.), on mounds, and in microsites of southern exposure and high slopes. Our findings suggest that BSC develop preferentially associated with vascular plants, which generate mounds and sloped microsites with southern exposure, where lower irradiances reduce desiccation in these extremely dry environments.

Physiographic soil map delineation for the Nile alluvium and desert outskirts in middle Egypt using remote sensing data of EgyptSat-1

The objectives of this study are to produce a physiographic soil map with correlated attributes to be a base for extra modifiers within the land information system. This integrated data will serve the purposes of land use planning, precision farming practices and to be applied in other areas using the extrapolation approach. The Satellite data of EgyptSat-1 were projected on an area of Middle Egypt that represents unique physiographic features over portions of Beni Suef, El Fayoum, Helwan, and October Provinces. The spectral signatures of the land patterns were delineated by the visual interpretation using the physiographic approach, while soil taxa were categorized according to the key of Soil Taxonomy ( USDA, 2010), resulting in two landscape categories. The first category includes older and developed parent materials, covering the following units: (a) Pediplains of residual soils over limestone parent rock, having soils of Lithic Haplocalcids, loamy skeletal. (b) Terraced old alluvial plains represent the formerly deposited alluvium that preceded the recent one of the River Nile alluvium. They includes soils of Typic Calcigypsids, loamy skeletal and old alluvial plain but are currently managed under cultivation. The soils are dominated by Typic Haplocalcids, loamy skeletal. (c) Wadis that were shaped by the paleodrainage erosion, are currently subjected to the seasonal flush flooding and are sparsely vegetated including soils of Typic Torrifluvents, lamy skeletal (calcareous); Typic Torriorthents, sandy skeletal, and Typic Torriorthents, sandy. (d) Aeolian plain “partly cultivated” includes soils of Typic Torripsamments (calcareous). The second category is a recent River Nile alluvium that formed the following units: (a) Terraced recent alluvial plain “cultivated” includes soils of Entic Calcitorrerts, fine and Typic Haplotorrerts fine. (b) Recent flat alluvial plain includes soils of Typic Haplotorrerts, fine. (c) Meandering belt is aligning the River Nile course with courser sediments comparing to the recent alluvial plains. This belt is sub divided as levees that have soils of Typic Torriorthents, fine lomy; point bars with soils of Typic Torriorthents, coarse lomy; river banks with soils of Typic Torriorthents, coarse lomy; bow bars with Typic Torriorthents, sandy and Typic Torriorthents, coarse loamy and meander scars with soils of Typic Torriorthents, sandy. All these taxonomic classes are hyperthermic, being developed under the hyperthermic temperature regime within an aridic moisture regime.

Resource Management Domain (RMD)—A Concept for Sustainable Agricultural Development in Hot Arid Regions of India

The northwestern hot arid region of India has been classified in 15 resource management domains (RMDs) by integrating biophysical resources and socio-economic indicators. Each RMD is uniform with respect to the natural resource base and socio-economic indicators, thus, these have similar potential/constraints and social status. The RMDs, (1) Western dune complex-livestock based livelihood, (2) Hard pan soil-livestock based livelihood, (10) Coastal rocky upland-labor based livelihood, and (11) Coastal ranns and mud flats-labor based livelihood, have severe biophysical constraints and low socio-economic status. The RMDs with moderate biophysical constraints and medium socio-economic status are (3) Sandy plain-rainfed farming and livestock, (4) Eastern sandy plain under rainfed/limited tube well irrigation, (5) Luni basin alluvial plain rainfed/brackish water irrigation, (6) Luni–Banas pediment-rainfed/limited dug-well irrigation, (12) Kachchh mainland-rainfed/limited irrigation (13) Santhalpur aeo-alluvial plain-rainfed farming, (14) Basaltic rocky/gravelly upland rainfed farming/labor based livelihood, and (15) Basaltic piedmont/valley fill with rainfed/limited irrigation. The RMDs associated with negligible biophysical constraints and high socio-economic status are (7) Dune complex with limited canal irrigation, (8) Canal irrigated aeolian plain, and (9) Intensive canal irrigated Sutlej-Yamuna river plain. Priority areas for research and development of each RMD have been suggested. Change analysis with respect to land use, area under different crops, and crop production revealed that the region is heading towards intensification and higher yields.

LANDSAT IMAGERY TECHNIQUE FOR LAND EVALUATION IN AGRICULTURAL PURPOSES AT SOME AREAS OF EL-MENYA GOVERNORATE , EGYPT

03' east. By applying the technique ofLandsat Imagery (ETM7, Enhanced Thematic Mapper 7) and thephysiographic approach, the area under study at El-MenyaGovernorate could be identified as a best model for representingmany landscape features in Egypt. The studied area includes both thecontinental alluvium deposits of River Nile and desert sediments thatwere derived from the local parent rocks. These deposits aredeveloped on many physiographic units such as the Nile alluvialplain, River bank, Islands, Alluvial terraces, Aeolian plain and Wadis.In addition, the rock structures are delineated as a rock outcrops. Thedifferences between the studied physiographic units are representedby twelve soil profiles. The studied soil profiles were fully describedand soil samples were collected for laboratory analysis.Soil taxa were categorized into three orders according to

Demarcation of palaeochannels and integrated ground water resources mapping in parts of Hisar district, Haryana

Present study deals with the demarcation of palaeochannels and mapping of integrated water resources in parts of Hisar district, Haryana using Indian Remote Sensing Satellite (IRS-1D) LISS-III Data of December 21, 2001. The landforms identified are Sand Dune, Dune Complex, Aeolian Plain, Fluvioaeolian plain, Palaeochannel and Younger Alluvial Plain formed by aeolian, fluvio-aeolian, and fluvial processes. These palaeochannels are first time demarcated in the area. The ground water prospects of various geomorphic units have been assessed. Depth to water level and ground water quality maps were digitized and put in to GIS format. Ground water prospects and quality maps were integrated and depth to water level information was draped on it to prepare final integrated ground water resources map. This map depicts ground water prospects, quality and depth together in a single map, which will help in and ground water exploration.

Soils and landscape evolution of eolian plains: the Southern High Plains of Texas and New Mexico

Sheets of eolian sediment cover many areas of the earth's surface, sand seas, dune fields, and loess sheets being the best known examples of such features. Less well known are deposits of sandy, eolian sediment forming extensive plains. An excellent example of such a region is the semi-arid Southern High Plains (northwest Texas and eastern New Mexico). The level landscape of the area was created by deposition of multiple, extensive (≈ 80,000 km 2 ) sheets of eolian sediment (Blackwater Draw Formation) over the past 1.4+ Ma. This deposit grades from sandy (southwest) to silty and clayey (northeast) and is up to 27 m thick. Surface soils (at least 30,000 and possibly 120,000 years old) are well developed (5YR hues, agrillic horizons, 1–2m thick with prismatic structure, Stage II–III calcic horizons) and are generally Paleustolls and Paleustalfs, with some Paleargids and Haplargids. Morphologic variation is due mainly to textural variation of the eolian parent material, although locally thickness of the parent material and wind erosion and cumulization are important factors, and locally slight variation in effective precipitation may be significant. The Blackwater Draw Formation contains as many as six well-developed buried soils, each formed in individual layers of eolian sediment, similar to or more strongly expressed (2.5YR hues, higher illuvial clay content) than the regional surface soils. The presence of the buried soils indicates that sedimentation was episodic and separated by long periods of relative landscape stability. Eolian processes also appear to have been important during the periods of stability and pedoenesis by providing clayey, calcareous dust that was added to the soil, promoting formation of the argillic and calcic horizons. The sedimentologic and pedologic uniformity of the deposit suggests that the regional environment has not varied significantly during the Quaternary except for periods of increased sedimentation or wind deflation. Underlying the Blackwater Draw Formation is an Upper Tertiary deposit (up to 36 m thick) of eolian sand, silt, and clay (Ogallala Formation). This deposit contains buried soils very similar to those in the Blackwater Draw Formation, suggesting that the geomorphic processes that created the Quaternary landscape of the Southern High Plains began to operate in the late Tertiary, perhaps as much as 11 million years ago.

Soil—landscape relationship of Hissar District using aerial photo — interpretation technique

Soil survey of Hissar district (Haryana) covering total area of 6,331 sq. kms. was carried out using the aerial photographs of 1 : 25,000 scale. A detailed physiographic legend was prepared and boundaries were confirmed in relation to soil. Soil-landscape relationship was established during the course of study. Four major physiographic units were identified in the area : i. e. i) Aeolian plain, ii) Alluvial plain, iii) Drishdawati flood plain, iv) Ghaggar flood plain. Each of the major unit was sub-divided on the basis of photo elements, tone, texture, erosion, parcelling etc. The soils of the sand dunes/ Bars are classified as Typic Torripsamments/Ustipsamments; plain-Typic, Camborthids/Calciorthids/Ustrochrepts; basins-Aquic Ustochrepts and salt affected plain-Aquic Natrustalfs.

Precipitation of Authigenic Minerals in Artesia Group (Middle Permian) Sandstones of Permian Basin: ABSTRACT

Middle Permian Artesia Group sandstones of the Northwestern shelf and Central Basin platform of the Permian basin contain some interesting authigenic minerals (cements) which include clays, sulfates, dolomite, halite, quartz, and orthoclase. To a large degree, diagenetic minerals reflect environments of deposition, although the relation is not always one of cause and effect. Red-brown and red sandstones were deposited in continental depositional environments which include coastal and continental sabkhas and brine pans, eolian plains, and wadis. Deposition of illuviated clay on grain surfaces formed optically oriented cutans (ferriargillans). The red and red-brown coloration reflects iron oxide pigmentation of clay cutans. Formation of ferriargillans was followed by precipitation of sulfates (anhydrite, gypsum, and hemihydrate), dolomite, and halite. The predominant cements are anhydrite and halite which form large crystals that poikilotopically enclose many sand grains. These poikilotopic cements form a very dense matrix which precludes any accumulation of hydrocarbons. Most tan, gray, and white sandstones were deposited in peritidal marine environments. In these sands the following succession of diagenetic minerals was precipitated: (1) quartz overgrowths on quartz grains and orthoclase overgrowths on orthoclase grains, (2) dolomite, and (3) sulfates (anhydrite, gypsum, hemihydrate, celestite, and barite). All effective porosity and permeability are in dolomite cements which consist of tiny rhombic crystals. Anhydrite is the predominant sulfate cement and, as in continental sandstones, occurs in large crystals and very dense poikilotopic fabrics which preclude migration of hydrocarbons. The critical factor which controls the economic potential of these sands is the relative proportion of porous, permeable dolomite cements to nonporous anhydrite ceme t. End_of_Article - Last_Page 474------------