Investigating magnetic susceptibility distribution and weathering indices under different geomorphic surfaces chaldoran area

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 PhD graduated in Soil Science , University of Tabriz,and Asistant Professor, Payame Noor University, Tehran,Iran.

2 Professor of Soil Science and engineering department, University of Tabriz,Tabriz,Iran

3 Assistant Professor of the Department of Green Space, Faculty of Agriculture, shahid Bakeri High education Center of Miandoab, Urmia University

Abstract

Magnetic susceptibility (χ) is a fast, non-destructive and simple method for determining soil properties and describing soil formation processes, which has been studied at different geomorphic levels, in order to investigate the effects of soil formation factors (elevation, elevation, and parent materials). This research aims to evaluate the changes of different forms of iron, drainage, land use and human activities (agriculture) on changes in soil magnetic receptivity and investigate CIW, CIA and CPA aeration indices in different geomorphic units in the year 2021 in Chaldaran study area in the northwest Iran and West Azarbaijan province. For this purpose, 9 test soils were excavated and evaluated in five dominant geomorphic units in the region, such as slope plain, covered pediment, alluvial cone, plain and flood plain. After dissection and sampling from the genetic horizons of the excavated rocks and transporting them to the laboratory, the physicochemical properties of the samples were measured along with their magnetic properties and aeration indices of CIW, CIA and CPA. The results showed that the range of magnetic receptivity of the soils of the region varied from 42.90 x 10-8 to 1053.20 m3 kg-1. Also, the average value of χlf of the studied soils in different geoforms was observed as flood plain > alluvial cone > covered pediment > plain > slope plain. Although the values of magnetic receptivity depending on the frequency of the examined soil samples were variable between 0.07% and 3.50%; But in most horizons, the value of χfd was less than 2%. This result indicates the presence of multi-domain coarse particles in the region that were added through parent material. Also, the results of CIA, CIW and CPA aeration indices indicate the stage of weak to moderate aeration in the region. Further, it was observed that the leaching of diamagnetic materials to the lower soil layers, ferrimagnetic minerals transferred by water and agricultural activities, has led to changes in the χlf trend with depth. Also, according to the A-CN-K curve and the chemical composition of the oxides of the studied elements, a moderate aeration process was observed in the region. On the other hand, the studied region is affected by water sediments and agricultural activities; It seems that carrying out the processes of sedimentation, soil formation, aeration and cultivation in this area has changed the chemical composition of the soils. Finally, it can be concluded that the equitic conditions caused a decrease in the acceptability and amount of Fed due to poor drainage in the studied soils.

Keywords

Main Subjects

Extended Abstract

Introduction

There are various weathering indices consisting of the Chemical index of weathering (CIW), Chemical Index of Alteration (CIA), Chemical Proxy of Alteration (CPA). Typically, the value of these indicators increases by increasing weathering intensity. Magnetic susceptibility is a property that can be measured in a short time and according to various studies has a good relationship with some physical, chemical, evolutionary properties, drainage conditions, weathering and in some cases land use type. Therefore, in the present study, different forms of iron, magnetic parameters and weathering indices in different geomorphic surfaces of Chaldoran have been studied. The objectives of this study include (1) investigating changes in various forms of iron and magnetic susceptibility of soil; (2) the effect of drainage, land use and human (agricultural) activities on changes in soil magnetic susceptibility; 3) Investigation of weathering indices of CIW, CIA and CPA at different geomorphic surfaces.

 

Material and Methods

Based on the study of the predominant geomorphic surfaces of the region, including the piedmont plain (pedons 5 and 7), mantled pediment (pedon 6), alluvial fan (pedon 2), plains (pedons 1.3,4,9), flood plain (pedon 8) in figure 1 and a visual interpretation of Google Earth satellite images, topographic maps and field visits, the initial geomorphic surfaces of the sampling areas were determined. A total of 60 soil profiles were dug by supervised random sampling in different soil series, taking into account the entire study area. Also selected according to field studies and laboratory results, important and effective land characteristics, number of indicator pods. All excavated excavations were described according to the Soil Survey Staff (1993) and classified according to the Comprehensive Soil Classification of the United States (Soil Taxonomy, 1999) and the Keys to Soil Taxonomy (2010). Among the excavated Pedons, nine representative Pedons were chosen that mostly composed of quaternary sediments in terms of geology of the study area. In some parts, it could also be seen as veins of Limestone, Gabbro, Diorite and Basalt. Afterwards, soils were classified according to the soil taxonomy 2014 system. Sampling was performed in each control soil from top to bottom horizons and magnetic susceptibility was measured in all horizons. The soil samples were then dried at room temperature and passed through a 2 mm sieve after crushing. After that, the Soil Organic Carbon (SOC) using the Walkley-Black wet oxidation method, soil texture by pipette method, calcium carbonate equivalent by neutralization method , EC and pH of saturated extracts were measured using EC meter and pH meter, respectively. Besides, the amount of gypsum was measured using acetone method. Free iron (Fed) using dithionate bicarbonate citrate, non-crystalline iron (Feo) using ammonium acid oxalate, and total iron using nitric-perchloric acid (1:3) were extracted. The concentration of extracted iron was determined by utilizing the atomic absorption of Perkin Elmer AAnalyst 800. Furthermore, the magnetic susceptibility of soil (χ) at low frequencies 0.46 kHz, high frequency 4.6 kHz, (χ) was measured using MS2B Bartington magnetic susceptibility system.

 

Results and Discussion

The range of χlf of soils ranged from 42.90×10-8m3kg-1 (Horizon Ap, Pedon 1) to 1053.20×10-8 m3 kg-1 (Horizon C1, Pedon 1). The average χlf in the geomorphic units of the area is obtained in the form of flood plain> alluvial fan> mantled pediment> plain> piedmont plain. The χfd values of the studied soil samples were in the range of 0.07- 3.50%.

The range of changes in total iron is from 12.05 g kg-1 (Horizon C2, Pedon 1) to 42.60 kg-1 (Horizon Bss2, Pedon 9). Also, the mean of total iron in the studied Pedons is in the form of mantled pediment> alluvial fan> flood plain> piedmont plain = plain, respectively. Moreover, the mean Fed values in the studied geomorphic units were in the form of mantled pediment> plain> piedmont plain> flood plain> alluvial fan, respectively. The amount of Feo in the studied soils varied from 0.09 gkg-1 (Horizon C2, Pedon 1) to 0.75 gkg-1 (Horizon BC, Pedon 4). Furthermore, the average value of Feo in geomorphic units is flood plain> piedmont plain> alluvial fan> mantled pediment> plain, respectively. The range of changes in the Feo/Fed ratio in the studied geomorphic units was from 0.08 to 0.01. In addition, the range of changes in χlf value varied from 42.90×10-8m3 kg-1 on the Horizon Ap to 1053.20×10-8m3 kg-1 on the Horizon C1.

The range of changes in CIA index was from 60.82 (horizon C2, pedon 1) to 78.77 (horizon Bg, pedon 3). Moreover, the highest and lowest mean of CIA index were observed in flood plain and mantled pediment geoforms, respectively. Therefore, all horizons of excavated Pedon in the area have a CIA between 50 and 80, indicating that the soils of the area are in the phase of weak to moderate weathering. Another meteorological index used is the CPA index, which is somewhat complementary to the CIA index. The highest and lowest mean values of CPA index were observed in flood plain and mantled pediment geomorphic units, respectively. Meanwhile, the value of CIW index varied from 65 (horizon C2, pedon 1) to 87.20 (horizon Bg pedon 3).

 

Conclusion

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of soil formation factors on the amount and vertical distribution of magnetic susceptibility. Nine control excavations were excavated in five dominant geomorphic units of the region, including slope plain, covered pediment, alluvial fan, plain, flood plain in West Azerbaijan province located in IranThe obtained results of this paper confirmed that the parent materials, topography along with drainage, and land use status factors, had been known as the most important factors affecting the formation, evolution, and magnetic susceptibility of different geoforms in Chaldoran area. In most of the studied Pedons, the amount of magnetic susceptibility χ increased by increasing depth, whereas in some Pedons, the amount of χ was maximal due to the transfer of fine ferrimagnetic particles with clay particles in Horizon B. The soil drainage conditions and moisture regime had also greatly influenced both the magnetic susceptibility and Fed distribution. Overall, the aquic conditions in the studied soils reduced the susceptibility of the Fed rate. Meanwhile, the ferrimagnetic particles forming the soils of the area were of the type of multi-zone coarse particles (μm >110). Furthermore, the CIA, CIW and CPA weathering indices revealed a weak to moderate weathering phase in the area. Nevertheless, to better understand the magnetic properties of soils under different geoforms, it is better to explore the relationship of other magnetic parameters in the area.

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Iranian Journal of Soil and Water Research
Volume 54, Issue 3
June 2023
Pages 533-557

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