Scientific Quarterly Journal of Geosciences

Scientific Quarterly Journal of Geosciences

The influence of intensive cultivation of clay-mineral composition in the Khuzestan-Plain

Authors
Abbas Pashaie 1
H. Lange 2
1 Soil Science Department, Gorgan University of Agricultural Sciences and Natural resources, Iran
2 Geological Department of Christian-Albrecht Univ.at Kiel, Germany
Abstract
In this investigation we studied two different Typic-Camborthid profile under native vegetation and sugar-cane cultivation. The qualitative and quantitative interpretation of XRD-patterns of the surface and subsurface horizons indicates following results:
Heavy irrigation of the standard soil profile, conservated under desert environment indicates, a gradual weathering of Palygorskite to Smectite. We also found a very strong building of corrensite and Smectite, especially in the subsurface horizons, on the expense of Chlorite, Illite under progressive K-ions removal through the sugar-cane plants and high irrigation.
In this study we also indicate, that the clay mineral composition in the alluvial soils of the Khuzestan-Plain is controlled by the composition of the source area in the Zagros-Mountains.
Keywords
clay minerals, Khuzestan Plain

Subjects

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Scientific Quarterly Journal of Geosciences
Volume 7, 27-28
Spring & Summer 1999, vol. 7, No. 27-28
Summer 1999
Pages 28-37