Genesis and Evolution of Soils along Different Geomorphic Surfaces in Zahmatkeshan area of Kerman

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Department of Soil Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Shahid Bahonar Univ. of Kerman, Kerman, Iran

2 Department of Soil Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman, Kerman, Iran

3 Department of Soil Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman.

Abstract

Considering the importance of soils related to feeding the growing population of the world, it is necessary to know as much properties of soils as possible. The main objective of this study was to know how the soils formed and evolved in the Zahmatkeshan area of Kerman Province by examining the physical and chemical characteristics, clay mineralogy, and micromorphological properties of soils. Seven representative pedons (out of 16 described profiles) on different geomorphic positions, including rock pediment (one pedon), alluvial fan (three pedons), piedmont plain (one pedon), and playa (two pedons), were selected. Routine physicochemical analyses, clay mineralogy and micromorphology investigations performed on 37 soil samples. The results showed that soil salinity (0.9- 333 dS m-1) and clay percentage (3-46%) increased from rock pediment and alluvial fan toward the center of playa. Soils of the area were classified as Aridisols and Entisols according to Soil Taxonomy and Gypsisols, Cambisols, Solonchacks, Calcisols, and Regosols using WRB classification system.  Smectite, illite, chlorite, palygorskite, and kaolinite clay minerals were investigated. Illite and chlorite were dominant in upper geomorphic surfaces, but smectite was dominant in playa, probably due to the transformation of palygorskite to smectite induced by high humidity of this geomorphic position. Micromorphological observations indicated the presence of gypsum and salt pedofeatures in the forms of coatings, infillings, lenticular crystals, interlocked plates of gypsum, and salt coatings. Results of the study showed that relief was the most important factor affecting soil genesis and evolution in Zahmatkeshan area.

Keywords

Main Subjects

EXTENDED ABSTRACT

Introduction

 Considering the importance of soils related to feeding the growing population of the world, it is necessary to know all the properties of soils, including morphological, physicochemical, mineralogical, and biological characteristics. Soils are highly dependent on geomorphic position, and soil formation processes are better understood if geomorphological concepts are taken into account in soil genesis and classification studies. The main objective of this study was to know how the soils were formed and evolved in the Zahmatkeshan area of Kerman Province by examining the physical and chemical characteristics, clay mineralogy, and micromorphology of soils. Comparing Soil Taxonomy and WRB systems to classify soils of the area was another aim of the present research.

Materials and Methods

 The study area was located 35 km northwest of Kerman city. The mean annual temperature is 15.7 °C, and the mean maximum and minimum temperatures are 24.7 and 6.7 °C, respectively. The average annual rainfall is 149.1 mm. The Soil temperature and moisture regimes of the study area are mesic and aridic, respectively. Seven representative pedons on different geomorphic positions, including rock pediment (1pedon), alluvial fan (3pedons), piedmont plain (1pedon), and playa (2 pedons), were selected. Routine physicochemical analyses were performed on 37 samples. Selected samples were used for clay mineralogy. Handpicked undisturbed samples were also collected and prepared for micromorphological observations. Geology of the area consists of limestone, conglomerate, and alluvium.

Results and Discussion

Electrical conductivity (EC from 1.7 to 14.4 dSm-1) and sodium adsorption ratio (SAR from 2.3 to 9.7) contents were low in rock pediment. A coarse textured soil was found in this geomorphic position. On the other hand, SAR content increased (from 16 to 70) in piedmont plain (pedon 3) compared to rock pediment and alluvial fan positions. Meanwhile, the textural classes of silty clay loam and clay were investigated at playa geomorphic surface, which are finer compared to the upper geomorphic positions. Soils of playa were more developed and deeper compared to other surfaces. Undeveloped soils of rock pediment were similar to parent material from clay mineralogy point of view. Quartz, feldspars, illite, and chlorite were found in the Bk horizon of pedon 1. The amount of illite and chlorite minerals increased in Byzn1 and Byzn2 horizons of pedon four on playa geomorphic position and feldspars were also investigated in Byzn2 horizon. The amounts of illite, chlorite, and feldspar minerals in playa decreased compared to the rock pediment, but the amount of smectite showed an opposite trend. Since these soils are derived from the Upper Marl Formations, which often contain quartz, it could be concluded that the quartz in the soil is mainly inherited from the parent material. Thin section studies of the soil in the C1 horizon of pedon two at the alluvial fan position clearly indicate the alteration of the margins of limestone and the beginning of the decalcification process around these particles.

The gypsum crystals in the related images were microcrystals and large anhedral crystals. Thin sections of Az and Byzn1 horizons, pedon five on the surface of the playa show the surface accumulation of halite in the form of coatings and cementing compounds of anhydrous crystals on Az horizon and the fillings and interlocked plates of gypsum in Byzn1 horizon. Soils of the area were classified as Typic Calcigypsids, Sodic Haplocambids, Sodic Haplocalcids, Gypsic Haplosalids, and Typic Torriorthents sub groups according to Soil Taxonomy and as Skeletic Epicalcic Gypsisols (Pantoloamic), Calcaric Gypsiric Pantosodic Cambisols (Anoloamic, Endosiltic), Haplic Calcisols (Hypocalcic, Epiloamic, Raptic) Over Calcic Gypsisols (Arenic), Epigypsic Episodic Epipetrosalic Solonchaks (Pantoloamic), Katogypsic Pantosodic Solonchaks (Calcaric, Pantoloamic, Puffic), Katogypsic Pantosodic Solonchaks (Amphiclayic, Calcaric, Epiloamic, Puffic), and Calcaric Regosols (Katoarenic) reference soil groups using WRB classification system. Results of the study showed that using different qualifiers, the WRB system was more capable of reflecting soil characteristics compared to Soil Taxonomy.

Conclusion

 Smectite, illite, chlorite, palygorskite, and kaolinite clay minerals were investigated. Authigenic and transformed (from palygorskite, illite, and chlorite) origins for smectite were observed. Illite, chlorite, and kaolinite were inherited in soils under study. Palygorskite crystals seem to be preserved around calcium carbonates due to the aridity of the area at mantled pediment geomorphic position. Coating and infillings of gypsum together with lenticular and interlocked plates and halite coatings were among dominant pedofeatures observed in soils of the area. Salt coatings were attributed to the fine texture and water table evaporation at playa geomorphic surface. The results obtained from this study indicate that topography plays the most important role compared to the other four soil-forming factors. A close relationship between geomorphic position and soil formation and development in the area was found. Soils on different geomorphic surfaces showed various characteristics and were classified appropriately.

Author Contributions

All authors contributed equally to the conceptualization of the article and writing of the original and subsequent drafts.

Data Availability Statement

All data are included in the manuscript.

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank the Department of Soil Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Shahid Bahonar Univ. of Kerman for lab facilities and field work. The authors would also like to express their special thanks to the reviewers whose comments and suggestions improved the manuscript.

Ethical considerations

The authors avoided data fabrication, falsification, plagiarism, and misconduct.

Conflict of interest

The author declares no conflict of interest.

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Iranian Journal of Soil and Water Research
Volume 55, Issue 12
March 2025
Pages 2275-2288

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