Northwest Libya Research Articles

Eigen-6c4 Gravity and Alos Palsar Radar Data Integration for Delineating Geological Lineaments in North Ghadames Basin, NW Libya

Introduction The ambiguity regarding the geological interpretation has the potential to be significantly decreased with the use of remote sensing, geophysical data, and the history of geology. Aims The objective of this work is to delineate geological lineaments and faults using EIGEN-6C4 satellite gravity and ALOS PALSAR radar data in the north Ghadames basin, of northwest Libya. Methods The satellite gravity dataset of the study region was used to perform a complete Bouguer anomaly map of the study area to start the gravity interpretation. Then different filters were performed on the gravity dataset, such as the total horizontal gradient (THG), CET grid analysis, 3-dimensional Euler solution (ED), and a tilt derivative (TDR) using the commercial Oasis Montaj programme. The techniques of edge identification (THG, TDR, and also CET grid analysis) are utilised for locating and identifying the boundaries or edges of geological structures that contribute to gravity anomalies. The 3-dimensional Euler solution, in conjunction with the TDR method, is employed to precisely figure out the positions and estimated depths associated with subsurface sources. Radiometric calibration, speckle filtering, and geometric correction were applied to preprocess the ALOS PALSAR L 1.1 image via the Sentinel Application Platform (SNAP) software. For automatic extraction, the PCI Geomatica software's LINE module was applied. Results The gravity data results indicate that the main trends of the identified geological lineaments are oriented in the North-South, East-West, Northwest-Southeast, and North-Northwest to South-Southeast directions. Furthermore, the depths of the sources observed underneath the study region differ from 250 m to 2750 m. The orientation of extracted lineaments from the ALOS PALSAR L1.1 images, specifically the horizontal-horizontal as well as horizontal-vertical polarisation images, predominantly have orientations in the north-south, north-northeast to south-southwest, east-west, north-northwest to south-southeast, and northeast-southwest directions within the study area. Conclusion All these findings of lineaments are associated with the tectonic features of the area. Consequently, identifying these lineaments/faults is important to reduce the ambiguity of geological interpretation and provide more information on the dominant trends for future exploration activities in the study region.

Identifying the geological structure of the Garyan area in northwest Libya using eigen-6c4 satellite gravity data

Identifying the geological structure of the Garyan area in northwest Libya using eigen-6c4 satellite gravity data

Depositional facies controls on reservoir rock typing and heterogeneity: Devonian siliciclastic succession, south central Ghadames basin, Libya

The Devonian sedimentary succession hosts the most potential reservoir targets in Ghadames Basin, Northwest Libya. This succession consists of a complex pattern of siliciclastic facies deposited during successive episodes of sea level fall and rise, thereby leading to a large scale heterogeneity in sandstone facies connectivity and distribution. The present study integrates core sedimentology, wireline logs, and routine and special core analysis to establish a framework for predicting the distribution of the best Devonian reservoir rock types (RRTs). A lowstand amalgamated fluvial sandstone bars only exist in the Lower Devonian Tadrart Formation; the other Devonian rock units consist of transgressive and highstand tidally-influenced estuarine and deltaic facies. The pore system characteristics are controlled by initial depositional attributes where open, megapores with entry displacement pressures <10 psi occur in the quartzose, high energy fluvial sandstone bars, delta distributary channels and mouth bars. These facies are classified as RRTI and are mostly associated with lowstand and late highstand facies. In contrast, the other RRTs display tight pore system with elevated irreducible water content >20%. RRTI rocks account for greater than 90% of the fluid flow capacity in the Devonian reservoirs. A link between the facies depositional setting, RRT distribution, vertical amalgamation and lateral compartmentalization of flow conduits, barriers and baffles zones has been proposed, thereby promoting the predictability of the best reservoir targets.

Study the Affecting Delay Factors on Road Construction Projects in Libya

The road construction industry significantly contributes to the socio-economic development of a country. However, road construction industries all over the world, including Libya, are facing serious problems related to construction delays, which result in higher costs for the Department of Transportation and contractors as well as cause great inconvenience to the public. The challenges faced by road construction projects in Northwest Libya have resulted in the late delivery of road construction supplies and increased the number of problematic and abandoned projects. Consequently, these delays will result in cost overruns and quality degradation. This study also develops a structural model of road construction delay and determines those groups that greatly contribute to road construction delay through a questionnaire survey. A total of 256 questionnaires were returned for the main study, thereby yielding a 71% response rate. The structural model of road construction delay was developed by using structural equation modelling. This model is deemed fit as the coefficient of determination (R of road construction delay was 0.48 (R2 ≥ 0.26 = substantial . The model shows that all eleven groups are significant with p-value&gt;0.05, thereby suggesting that all fit indices satisfy the proposed value range assumed for the model development. The model also shows that the contractors group and effects of financial activities, specifically ‘time and cost overrun as well as poor quality’, have the highest effects on road construction delay. The findings of this study contributed to understand clearly the cause effect factors of construction delay in Libya.

Relative permeabilities as dynamic petrophysical parameters, Wafa Field, Ghadamis Basin, North West Libya

Relative permeabilities as dynamic petrophysical parameters, Wafa Field, Ghadamis Basin, North West Libya

New insights into the lower cretaceous siliciclastic sediments of northwest Libya: environmental re-interpretation and sequential pattern, outcrop study

New insights into the lower cretaceous siliciclastic sediments of northwest Libya: environmental re-interpretation and sequential pattern, outcrop study

Integrating remote sensing and aeromagnetic data for lithological and structural lineaments mapping in Abu Ghaylan - Kiklah - Tighrinna, northwest Libya

Problems Statement and Purpose. Libya is the fourth-largest country in Africa and the seventeenth-largest country in the world with area of 1,759,540 sq. km. Most of Libya is located in the Sahara Desert and known for being the driest and most remote regions with limited accessibility. In the 1970s, the Industrial Research Center in Libya began to create geological maps of all Libyan lands derived from analog (hard-copy) aerial photographs and geological field trips to some accessible places. Recently, remote sensing and data integration techniques using GIS are crucial to geological survey and mapping, which provides a useful tool for studying and investigating the geology of remote regions without having to physically access them. The purpose of this study is mapping lithological unites and structural lineaments in the region of Abu Ghaylan - Kiklah - Tighrinna, northwest Libya, using integrated remote sensing data and spatial analysis. Data and Methods. Enhanced Thematic Mapper Plus (ETM+), Satellite Pour l'Observation de la Terre (SPOT 5), European Remote-Sensing Satellite-2 (ERS-2) Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) C-band, Digital Elevation Model (DEM), geologic maps, and aeromagnetic data were used to map and analyze the lithological and structural lineaments in the study area. Various fused images and IHS transformations were tested for lithological units recognizing. On the basis of spectral characteristics and topographic forms, lithological and structural lineaments were recognized and mapped. The extracted rasters and vectors data were integrated using remote sensing and GIS data integration techniques. Ground Truthing. The purpose of the ground truthing was to validate the DEM-based structural mapping and identify any landslides, streams, or valleys that may appear as edges in the DEM data. Also, determining the locations of the artificial lines, that appears in the processed images as geological lineaments and edges. Results and Discussion. The results indicate that remote sensing data were very useful in distinguishing between various rock units and recognizing geological lineaments in the study area. The generated lithologic map shows fifteen geological formations with apparent and accurate boundaries. The results exposed new geological lineaments in the study area. The direction of the extracted geological lineaments is dominantly NW-SE. The magnetic data reveal the boundary of sedimentary basin in the study area. The basement's depth within the basin varies from 122 meters to 4.5 kilometers. The extracted geological lineaments were analyzed and interpreted to provide more information about the main structural trends affecting the study area. The methods used in this study for remote sensing image analysis and field geological surveys can be used successfully in similar regions of Libya.

Flea Infestations on Domestic Animals in Nafusa Mountain Region, North-West Libya

Fleas are ectoparasitic pests on domestic animals and act as vectors of many pathogens to humans. Here, we aim to identify the fleas that parasitize on domestic animals and their seasonality in the Nafusa Mountain region (Gharyan, Zintan, and Nalut). The survey was carried out from summer 2017 to winter 2018/2019. Fleas were collected seasonally from flea-infested animals using a metal comb (11 teeth per cm) and tweezers. One flea species was identified in this survey; Ctenocephalides felis, which was collected from goats, sheep, rabbits, donkeys, hens, cats, and dogs. The highest flea prevalence was among goats (66.49 %), followed by sheep (56.17%), whereas in dogs, donkeys, hens, rabbits, and cats, it represented less than 50.00%. The highest flea intensity was among dogs (4.50 ± 3.04 fleas per dog), while the lowest intensity was among hens (0.87 ± 0.59 fleas per hen). The highest mean flea abundance was among cats (8.00), whereas goats, sheep, donkeys, dogs, and hens represented less than 1.50 fleas per host. Summer and autumn represented the highest intensity followed by spring, but no fleas were collected in winter. The finding of the study indicated that Ct. felis was common among domestic animals. Consequently, it may become a potential source of pathogen transmission among people and animals.

Flea infestation on small wild mammals in Gharyan, Northwest Libya

Background:Fleas play a major role as vectors for many pathogens that affect humans and livestock. Wild animals, especially wild rodents, are the most important hosts, acting as reservoir hosts for many flea species and pathogens.Aim:This study aimed to identify seasonality and hosts of fleas that parasitize small wild mammals in Gharyan, north-western Libya.Methods:Fleas were collected from seasonally infested hosts from summer 2017 to winter 2018.Results:This survey identified three flea species: Pulex irritans, Xenopsylla cheopis, and Leptopsylla segnis. Pulex irritans was collected from porcupines, X. cheopis from hedgehogs and jerboas, whereas L. segnis from gundis. The highest flea prevalence was in porcupines (35.00%) and the lowest was in gundis (11.11%). The highest intensity was in porcupines (10.43 ± 4.37), and the lowest was in jerboas (1.28 ± 0.24). The highest mean flea abundance was among porcupines of 3.65, whereas in hedgehogs, jerboas and gundis were less than 0.50 flea/host. Pulex irritans was collected during all seasons, while X. cheopis was collected during all seasons except winter, whereas L. segnis was collected only in spring.Conclusion:The finding in this study has increased our awareness that small wild mammals can act as hosts for medically important flea species. All collected flea species have a great specialty in choosing their hosts. Flea intensity is affected by seasonal variations.

Russia is Back to the Balancing Game

This research mainly aims to show the balancing game of Russia in Syria and Libya after the Arab Spring. Recently Russia has increased its influence in Syria and Libya by its own capabilities and alliances with regional and local actors. Thus, it sought to consolidate its strength and balance its rivals, predominantly the US, in the international system. After the Arab Spring, Russia deployed its military muscle to Syria to protect its traditional ally the Bashar al-Assad regime, and restrain the US from solely dominating the region. Its attempts achieved to ensure the regime’s survival and balance the US in the country. Later, it sought to expand its sphere of influence and balance the rivals in Libya. It primarily used its own capabilities and alliance relations with the Khalifa Haftar group, the UAE, and Egypt. Russia’s growing presence in Libya inevitably affected the regional competition and balance of power among the states. However, the clashes among the militias supported by the external powers escalated in the fragmented country. Eventually, the UN-recognized GNA consolidated its power against the Khalifa Haftar forces and seized the control of northwest Libya, but an unstable environment still prevails in the country.

Delineation of structure elements and the basement depth at the Jifara plain NW LIBYA using integration application of potential field dataset

In this study, the analysis of ground gravity data (from the Libyan Petroleum Institute) and aeromagnetic data (from the African Magnetic Mapping Project) are used to delineate the structure elements and basement depth within the Jifara plain, northwest Libya. A high-pass filter and a reduction-to-the-pole (RTP) transformation are applied to the gravity and aeromagnetic data respectively. The Total horizontal gradient and Centre for Exploration Targeting (CET) grid analysis are applied to gravity datasets. Werner deconvolution is applied to the RTP magnetic data. One 2-D forward modelling profile is applied to gravity and magnetic dataset. The results show gravity anomaly highs and magnetic anomaly with different structure trends. Werner deconvolution profile shows a high-density intrusion (about 1.8 km from the surface) within the sedimentary sequence. The intrusion may be the result of the Eocene volcanic activities near the Gharyan region. The 2-D model shows that the basement depth of Jifara plain ranges from 2.8 to 3.0 km. The integration results of the gravity and magnetic dataset reflect various periods of tectonic activities within Jifara plain and the adjacent area.

The effects of obesity along with other risk factors on type 2 diabetic patients in the northwest of Libya

Type 2 diabetes has several causes, such as family history, age, physical inactivity, and unhealthy food. Obesity is a significant cause of type 2 diabetes (T2D). Microvascular and macrovascular complications are associated with long-term diabetes. However, the main objective in this study is to search for complications and risk factors related to diabetes. Therefore, 472 diabetic patients with type 2 diabetes from northwest Libya participated in this study. Face-to-face interviews conducted using a questionnaire asking each patient information about name, age, sex, duration of disease, family history, and measured body mass index (BMI). A biochemical analysis (FPG, HbA1c, cholesterol, and triglyceride) was also performed on diabetic patients. Our results showed that 60.6% of type 2 diabetic patients had a positive family history. Poor glycemic control identified by high fasting plasma glucose (FPG) 186±9 mg/dl, and glycated hemoglobin was (HbA1C) 8.36%±1.8.

Lower Coverage Rates of Full Rotavirus Vaccine Series in Libyan Children: A Prospective Cross-Sectional Study, 2016

Background: There are little data on the current condition of national immunization programme (NIP) in Libya. In 2013, pentavalent rotavirus vaccines were added to the NIP. Incomplete rotavirus vaccine series may result in lower vaccine effectiveness. The study aimed to assess timeliness and coverage rates of routine NIP vaccinations including the newly introduced rotavirus vaccine in Libya. Methods: A prospective cross-sectional study of children aged 0 to 18 months was carried out in vaccination centers of two north-western cities. Data were collected during Nov-Dec 2016 from vaccination cards of children. Child age and doses received in previous visits were documented. Results: Overall, we included 1023 children assessed in 29 visits at six vaccination centers. In children aged 18 months, coverage rates for all doses of BCG, OPV, HepB, pneumococcal, Meningococcal and MMR vaccines exceeded 95%. Coverage rates for second and third doses of rotavirus vaccines were 89% and 68%, respectively. Most (75%) children who missed the third dose of rotavirus vaccine were aged &gt;8 months when at the time of appointment for the third dose. Conclusion: Overall, the coverage rate for routine vaccination in children assessed at immunization centers in northwest Libya was high. Lower coverage of full pentavalent rotavirus vaccine series may have been the result of exceeding the age restriction. Measures to improve timeliness of vaccination appointments should be assessed. Lifting the age restriction on rotavirus vaccines should be considered for at-risk population.

Health Effects of Environmental Pollutants on Workers in The Libyan Plastic Factories, Part A: Based on Biochemical Analysis

This study aimed to disclose the reasons for the health damage and heritable genetic mutations among workers in plastic manufactories due to negative environmental impacts. Moreover, this study may constitute an initial database expressing the negative impact on the environment in the plastics factories that may have a negative impact on workers. To study the effects of long-term exposure to plastic and its solvent vapors during plastic manifesting on the blood protein contents, blood samples were withdrawn from volunteers working in a plastics factory in Kasr Alakhyar City, North-west Libya. Six different samples were collected from Clarkes exposed to plastic vapor for different periods as follows, control (did not expose to plastic vapor), one-year exposure, three years exposure, six years exposure, seven years exposure, and twelve years exposure. Blood samples were collected and subjected to protein electrophoresis and isoenzymes analysis for esterase and peroxidase. The results of protein electrophoresis indicated that a total number of 14 protein bands were resolved on polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis ranging from 16.5 KDa to 105 KDa. Five bands out of the resulted from 14 bands were considered common bands with molecular weights of 105, 98, 85, 63, and 16.5 KDa. (i.e. these bands were presented in all the six blood samples under investigation). The results also showed that too many changes were recorded in the protein banding patterns between the control volunteer and those who were exposed to plastic and its solvents vapor for different exposure periods. These changes in proteins suggested that a modification in gene excretion occurred as a response to the different exposure times to plastic during manifesting. Also, in esterase and peroxidase isozymes changes in the banding patterns between the control volunteer and those who were exposed to plastic and its solvents vapor for different exposure periods. These changes in proteins suggested that a modification in gene excretion occurred in the genes conferring these isozymes as a response to the different exposure periods to plastic during manifesting.

The Detachment Physical Weathering Form Group Affecting Stone Building Materials at The Archaeological Site of Sabratha, Northwest Libya

The archaeological Sabratha City is a UNESCO World Heritage site located on the Mediterranean Sea coast west of the Capital City of Tripoli north of Libya. Like many other archaeological cities in the world, Sabratha monuments have been built using naturally existing stones which according to the rules of nature are subjected to continuous weathering processes and become damaged to varied degrees. The range of extension as well as the type of stone damage is dependent on the reacting stone materials with the natural weathering processes. From an important point of view, the preservation of stone monuments now has attained the care of the government institutions who are in concern. The present paper discusses the main physical weathering forms belonging to the weathering form group-3 "the detachment group" which has been established by (Fitzner, and Heinrichs, 2002, 2004). The methodology of this research will be based on applying certain forms invented by Fitzner and Heinrichs that serve to estimate every damage of weathering forms affecting the monuments of Sabratha City. A number of nine main weathering forms of the detachment group including about fifteen individual weathering forms were found to affect the whole monuments of the city with damage intensity degrees varied between non-visible damage and moderate damage (0 degrees and 3 degrees). To make it easy for observations, fifteen contour maps were drowning for each individual weathering form showing the damage intensity degree and distribution. To summarize the overall picture of the weathering form damages, linear and progressive damage indices were found and mapped. Diurnal and seasonal temperature variations; relative humidity fluctuations; salt crystallization; moisture and or water content are factors expected to produce such weathering damages. As a recommendation, the authorities in response are invited to take this matter seriously and should act to protect the built heritage of Sabratha City.

High resolution sequence stratigraphy of the Middle–Late Triassic Al Aziziyah formation, northwest Libya

This study offers the first integration of facies distribution, isotope and sequence stratigraphy studies of the Middle-Late Triassic (Ladinian-Carnian) Al Aziziyah Formation at its exposure at the Jifarah Basin of northwest Libya. Eight sections were measured along a depositional dip cross-section of the Al Aziziyah Formation. The Al Aziziyah Formation is a 2nd-order sequence, consisting of mid-ramp and outer ramp carbonate facies, with inner ramp facies restricted to the southernmost sections. The inner ramp peritidal facies indicate arid depositional system characterized by mudcracks, evaporite nodules and abundant cryptalgalaminites. Ramp crest shoals were predominantly peloidal and oolitic packstone-grainstone. However, mid-ramp facies show low to high-density bioturbation. Outer ramp is thin-medium hummocky cross-stratified beds, and interbedded shale. Changes from fine sandstone and red clay to carbonate mark the transition from the underlying Kurrush Formation to the Al Aziziyah Formation. In the most updip location, the transition from the Al Aziziyah Formation to the overlying Abu Shaybah Formation is an iron-rich, phosphatic surface. Seven sequences (S1-S7) within the Ghryan Dome section were identified based on facies stacking patterns, field observations and carbon stable isotope profiles. North of the Ghryan Dome section, there are three mainly subtidal sequences (S8S10) that may not correlate to the south. Higher-order (4th-5th) parasequences are present in the Al Aziziyah Formation, but correlating these parasequences between sections is difficult due to internal erosional discontinuities or autocyclicity.

Assessment of heavy metals contamination in surface sediments of Sabratha, Northwest Libya

In order to assess the effect of sewage on surface sediments of Sabratha area, seven heavy metals were analyzed by Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer in 40 sediment samples collected from the vicinity area of a sewage station. Environmental pollution indicators as an enrichment factor (EF), potential contamination index (Cp), soil pollution index (SPI), potential ecological risk index (PERI), correlation coefficient, and cluster analysis (Pearson’s method) were used. The results illustrated that the studied sediments are extremely severe with Cd (EF > 50; Cp > 3; SPI > 3; 160 ≤ PERI 320) and severe enrichment with Pb and Co (EF = 10–25; 1 < SPI ≤ 3). The potential sources of metal pollution in the study area are anthropogenic sources such as sewage, traffic exhaust, agricultural activities, and landfills. These results are very distinct in the samples near to the sewage station, indicating that they may be the most significant reason for the increasing metal concentrations in the study area. These results show that the average concentration of Cd and Pb is higher than the permissible level relative to those recorded in many world localities.

Determination of natural radioactivity and radiological hazards in soil samples: Alhadba and Abuscabh agriculture projects in Libya

In this study, the radioactivity concentrations of the natural radioactive nuclides 238U, 232Th and 40K were measured in 26 surface soil samples of two areas of Libya. The soil samples were collected from two different agricultural lands in northwest Libya. The measurements of the activity concentration of selected radionuclides in soil samples were effectuated by gamma-ray spectrometry using hyper-pure germanium detector. The radiological hazard parameters: absorbed gamma dose rate, annual effective dose and the excess lifetime cancer risk were also determined to assess the radiation hazards caused by ionizing radiation emitted from the selected radionuclides on the population working and living in the selected regions. The levels of natural radioactivity of 238U, 232Th and 40K in the two areas were found to be below the internationally recommended level. On the other hand, these results indicated that there are no significant radiological impacts to the population because the values of radiological parameters are less than the international recommended limit. This indicates that the soils considered were safe for use in agriculture and do not pose any significant radiological hazards for human population.

Palynostratigraphic, palynofacies, organic geochemical and palaeoenvironmental analysis of the Silurian Tanezzuft Formation in the Ghadames Basin of north-west Libya

Two palynofacies associations are documented from the Silurian Tanezzuft Formation in the Ghadames Basin. These are characteristic of the basal ‘Hot Shale’ and the overlying deposits, referred to here as the Cold Shale. The former reflects deposition in distal suboxic anoxic conditions and is dominated by highly oil-prone amorphous organic matter (AOM) typical of deposition in generally anoxic, restricted marine basins. Only a few acritarchs, prasinophyte algae and chitinozoans occur in association: virtually no spores or cryptospores were recorded. Thick-walled prasinophytes are most numerous in this part of the Tanezzuft Formation in both the Ghadames and Murzuq basins, suggesting enhanced surface water productivity. Deposition took place after the melting of the Late Ordovician ice sheets, which led to a major marine transgression. The palynofacies recorded from the overlying ‘Cold Shale’ deposits indicate deposition in distal shelf and basin conditions that were also relatively anoxic. They contain more palynomorphs, especially acritarchs, and generally less AOM. The phytoplankton assemblages are dominated by simple and thin-walled prasinophyte algae (leiospheres), suggesting dysoxic–anoxic conditions. Overall the middle and the upper parts of the Tanezzuft Formation are regarded as being deposited in distal dysoxic–anoxic shelf, distal dysoxic–oxic shelf and distal suboxic–anoxic basin respectively. Because chitinozoans are very rare, age determinations of the samples investigated are based mainly on acritarchs. The Hot Shale is dated as early-mid Rhuddanian (early Llandovery) whereas the rest of the formation is considered to late Rhuddanian–Telychian in age. As documented previously from other samples of the Tanezzuft Formation in both the Ghadames and Murzuq basins, the Hot Shale has a very high TOC content and excellent source potential for liquid hydrocarbons, whereas rest of the formation is less rich in organic matter with larger terrestrial and oxidized components and hence reduced potential for sourcing hydrocarbons (both oil and gas).

Predicting the Classes and Distribution of Salt-Affected Soils in Northwest Libya

ABSTRACTSodicity and salinity can adversely affect soil structure and are common constraints to plant growth in arid regions. Current remote sensing techniques cannot distinguish between the various classes of salt-affected soils. Field and laboratory measurements of salt-affected soils are time-consuming and expensive. Mapping of the salt-affected soils can be used in soil conservation planning to identify regions with different degrees of limitations. There is a need to use existing field and laboratory measurements to create maps of classes of salt-affected soils. The objectives of this study are to classify salt-affected soils, use existing field data to interpolate and validate geospatial predictions of the classes of salt-affected soils using Geographic Information Systems (GIS), and create maps showing the different classes and distribution of salt-affected soils. The classification framework for salt-affected soils is based on electrical conductivity (ECe), soil pH and the sodium adsorption ratio (SAR), and provides four degrees of limitations to salt-affected soils: slight (normal soils), moderate (saline soils), severe (sodic soils), and extreme (saline-sodic soils). Spatial interpolation of the field data from northwestern Libya was verified by cross-validation, and maps of the salt-affected soils in the region were created. The majority of soils in this region of Libya are normal (slight degree of limitation). Twenty percent of the topsoil is saline-sodic (extreme degree of limitation). Land use recommendations and rehabilitation strategies can be developed from such maps of salt-affected soil classes. The methodology followed in this study can be applied to other arid regions around the world, particularly in developing countries where budgetary constraints limit detailed field and laboratory measurements of sodicity and salinity.