Land degradation risk assessment of El Fayoum depression, Egypt

The main objective of this study is to assess the land degradation risk of cultivated land in El Fayoum depression. The physiographic map of the depression was produced by using remote sensing and land surveying data. The depression comprises lacustrine plain, alluvial–lacustrine plain, and alluvial plain representing 12.22%, 53.58%, and 34.20% of the total area, respectively. The soil, climate, and topographic characteristics of the depression were extracted from land surveying, laboratory analyses, digital elevation model, and available reports. A simple model was designed to employ these data for assessing the chemical and physical risk of land degradation using Arc-GIS 9.2 software. The obtained results indicate that severe risk to chemical and physical degradation affect 54.15% and 29.23% of the depression, respectively. The current status of soil salinity, sodicity, and water table indicate that most of lacustrine and alluvial–lacustrine soils are actually degraded by salinization, sodification, and waterlogging. The results of degradation risk and the actual hazard indicate that the human activities are not sufficient to overcome the degradation processes in the most of the depression (80. 22%). Moreover, a negative human impact affects 26.29% of the area mostly in the alluvial plain. Great efforts related to the land management are required to achieve the agriculture sustainability.     

Using GIS modeling to assess the agricultural sustainability in Kafr El-Sheikh governorate, Nile Delta, Egypt

The evaluation of agricultural sustainability status helps in identifying specific indicators that constrain the achievement of sustainable agriculture. The agricultural sector in Egypt is facing major sustainability constraints such as scarce land and water resources, environmental degradation, and rapid population growth as well as institutional arrangement including land tenure and farm fragmentation, agricultural administration, lack of infrastructure, and credit utilization and high interest rates. This study aims to evaluate the agricultural sustainability in some areas in Kafr El-Sheikh governorate, north of the Nile Delta; the international framework for evaluating sustainable land management was used for realizing this objective. The map of the physiographic soils of the studied area was produced depending upon Landsat ETM⁺ images analysis; the results indicate that the area includes three main landscapes, i.e., alluvial, lacustrine, and marine plains. The characteristics of productivity, security, protection, economic viability, and social acceptability in the different mapping units were assessed. The obtained results show that the studied area includes two different class types, the first are the lands that are marginally below the requirement of sustainability and the second are those lands that do not meet sustainability requirements. The former class is represented by the physiographic units of alluvial plain, whereas the latter class is represented by the physiographic units of the lacustrine and marine plains. The sustainability constrains in the studied area are related to the soil productivity, economic viability, and social acceptability.     

三江平原西部土壤硒分布特征及其影响因素

近年来在黑龙江三江平原局部地区发现有珍贵的富硒土地,但对三江平原土壤硒的分布以及土壤硒含量的控制因素研究较少。三江平原西部地区土地质量地球化学调查发现,该区表层土壤主要以足硒为主,未见硒中毒土壤,富硒土壤主要分布于完达山山前至沿挠力河之间的冲湖积低平原地区,少量分布于萝北县城北部的湖成剥蚀台地,硒不足或硒潜在不足地区主要沿松花江河流以及萝北地区黑龙江古河道展布。根据相关性分析、因子分析、聚类分析结果,并结合硒元素地球化学空间分布,认为三江平原表层土壤硒含量主要受表层土壤中有机质以及土壤质地中黏土的吸附作用影响,铁、锰等氧化物以及土壤pH对硒富集具有一定影响,但作用较小。土壤环境质量综合评价显示三江平原地区多为无风险区,是一块珍贵的清洁土地资源,当地可依托富硒土地发展绿色富硒农业。     

冲积和湖积成因土壤Cd的吸附特征:以安徽省当涂县为例

为揭示冲积与湖积成因土壤镉的吸附特征,以安徽省当涂县冲积成因的江心洲和冲积、湖积成因的大陇乡根际土壤为研究对象,开展土壤镉的等温吸附实验和吸附动力学实验.等温吸附实验结果表明,冲积土壤镉的吸附量（S）、等温吸附常数（K）和固液分配系数（K_d）均较湖积土壤明显偏大,显示冲积土壤对镉的吸附能力较湖积土壤强;吸附动力学实验表明,冲积土壤的最大吸附量、平衡吸附量均较湖积土壤大,吸附速率也明显偏大,尤其在吸附实验早期更为显著;等温吸附常数K和平衡吸附速率V_b与土壤理化性质的分析表明,土壤pH是造成研究区土壤镉吸附能力差异的主要原因,其次为物理性粘粒含量;土壤pH是影响研究区冲积土壤镉吸附能力的主要因素;湖积土壤镉的吸附能力受土壤pH、有机质含量、Cd含量、物理性粘粒含量等因素的综合影响.研究对于揭示Cd在水土系统的迁移转化规律以及土壤Cd的污染防治具有重要的指导意义.      

Assessment of soil salinization based on a low-cost method and its influencing factors in a semi-arid agricultural area,northwest China

An investigation of soil salinization was carried out in the Nanshantaizi area (Northwest China) with WET Sensor. This device can measure such soil parameters as bulk soil electrical conductivity, water content, and the pore water electrical conductivity that are important for soil salinization assessments. A distribution map of soil salinization was produced, and the factors influencing soil salinization and its processes were discussed in detail. The study shows that moderately salinized to salt soils are mainly observed in the alluvial plain, where groundwater level is high and lateral recharge water contains high salinity. Nanshantaizi is covered by slightly salinized soils. The soil salinization distribution estimated by WET Sensor is generally consistent with the actual levels of salinization. Soil salinity in Nanshantaizi is mostly of natural origin and accumulated salts could leach to deeper soils or aquifers by water percolation during irrigation. Groundwater evaporation, groundwater level depth and quality of recharge water are important factors influencing soil salinization in the alluvial plain.     

宁夏清水营井田延安组层段划分及沉积环境演化

依据岩性组合特征对清水营井田延安组含煤地层进行了层段划分,并对各层段的沉积环境进行了分析,认为延安组沉积环境是以河流作用为主的湖泊三角洲相,其形成经历了冲积平原、浅湖三角洲又复向冲积平原过渡的充填演化过程．每一充填阶段均具有明显的周期性变化,这种充填形式决定了本区中侏罗世的聚煤特点．聚煤作用主要发生于废弃的三角洲平原之上,并形成区内具有工业价值的主要煤层。     

Soil genesis and clay mineralogy on Aliabbas River Alluvial Fan, Kerman Province

Alluvial fan is among the important geomorphic positions in arid and semi-arid environments, and the history of settlement in central parts of Iran plateau has significantly been related to this landform. Soil properties are also related to the stability and the position of geomorphic surfaces. To study and compare clay mineralogy and soil physicochemical responses to geomorphic positions, 11 representative pedons on stable and unstable alluvial fan surfaces and plain geomorphic position in a transect from Sarcheshmeh Mountains toward Rafsanjan Plain were studied. Soil moisture and temperature regimes of the area were aridic and mesic, respectively. Smectite, kaolinite, chlorite, illite, and palygorskite clay minerals were found in almost all the studied soils. More salinity was investigated in stable alluvial fan surfaces than unstable positions. Evidence of a more humid paleoclimate shown by buried Bt horizons in plain surface was observed. Transformation of palygorskite to smectite in surface horizon of unstable alluvial fan position and preservation of palygorskite associated by gypsum crystals in By horizon of stable fan surfaces were among the important findings of the research. There was a significant and mutual relationship between geomorphology and physicochemical and mineralogical properties of soils under study.     

辽河东部凹陷驾掌寺—小龙湾地区沙三段上亚段沉积古地理及聚煤作用分析

利用钻探、测井及地震资料对辽河盆地东部凹陷驾掌寺—小龙湾地区沙河街组三段上亚段进行了沉积环境和聚煤作用分析,编制了各种单因素图件及古地理图,识别出冲积扇、三角洲平原、三角洲前缘和前三角洲以及滨浅湖等古地理单元。分析认为,研究区物源来自东侧东部斜坡带和西侧中央凸起,并在区内沉积中心—驾掌寺—小龙湾凹陷处汇集,在适宜的气候、缓和的构造背景、适中的沉降幅度、较少的碎屑输入条件下,有一定水体深度的三角洲平原分流间湾沼泽区是成煤的有利地带,巨厚煤层分布于小龙湾地区的小14井、小5井以及小31井一带。     

Assessment of Liquefaction Potential of Guwahati City: A Case Study

The liquefaction potential of saturated cohesionless deposits in Guwahati city, Assam, was evaluated. The critical cyclic stress ratio required to cause liquefaction and the cyclic stress ratio induced by an earthquake were obtained using the simplified empirical method developed by Seed and Idriss (J soil Mech Found Eng ASCE 97(SM9):1249–1273, 1971, Ground motions and soil liquefaction during earthquakes. Earthquake Engineering Research Institute, Berkeley, CA, 1982) and Seed et al. (J Geotech Eng ASCE 109(3):458–483, 1983, J Geotech Eng ASCE 111(12):1425–1445, 1985) and the Idriss and Boulanger (2004) method. Critical cyclic stress ratio was based on the empirical relationship between standard penetration resistance and cyclic stress ratio. The liquefaction potential was evaluated by determining factor of safety against liquefaction with depth for areas in the city. A soil database from 200 boreholes covering an area of 262 km² was used for the purpose. A design peak ground acceleration of 0.36 g was used since Guwahati falls in zone V according to the seismic zoning map of India. The results show that 48 sites in Guwahati are vulnerable to liquefaction according to the Seed and Idriss method and 49 sites are vulnerable to liquefaction according to the Idriss and Boulanger method. Results are presented as maps showing zones of levels of risk of liquefaction.     

川西前陆盆地中侏罗统千佛岩组沉积体系研究

千佛岩组发育冲积扇、曲流河、三角洲和湖泊沉积。曲流河发育洪泛平原和河道两个亚相;三角洲发育三角洲前缘、三角洲平原及前三角洲三个亚相;湖泊相则发育浅湖和滨湖亚相;冲积扇分出扇中和扇端两个亚相。龙门山系周期性推覆构造活动是川西前陆盆地沉积作用及层序发育的主控因素。     

克鲁伦凹陷大磨拐河组沉积体系演化与赋铀性

克鲁伦凹陷下白垩统大磨拐河组是海拉尔盆地寻找可地浸砂岩型铀矿的目的层。大磨拐河组主要发育冲积扇、扇三角洲和湖相 3种沉积体系。根据沉积环境和沉积物特征 ,可将冲积扇划分为扇根、扇中和扇端 3种亚相 ;扇三角洲划分为上扇三角洲平原、下扇三角洲平原、扇三角洲前缘和前扇三角洲亚相。凹陷北缘发育两个扇体 ,扇三角洲体系和冲积扇体系之间在不同时期可相互转化。区内的陆源粗碎屑沉积岩为铀的富集创造了有利条件 ,扇三角洲和冲积扇的主河道和分流河道是最有利于铀聚集的部位。     

辽河坳陷西部高升以北地区湖盆深陷期的沉积特征

辽河坳陷西部凹陷高升以北地区湖盆深陷期经历了初始断陷阶段→快速沉降阶段→稳定沉降阶段→剧烈沉降阶段→短暂回返阶段共5个阶段。湖盆初始断陷阶段,沉积区主要处于中北部,以冲积扇-浊积扇-湖泊沉积为主;湖盆快速沉降阶段,沉积区南扩,以浊积扇-湖泊沉积为主;湖盆稳定沉降阶段,沉积区覆盖了整个研究区,以扇三角洲-浊积扇-湖泊沉积为主;湖盆剧烈沉降阶段以辫状河三角洲-浊积扇-湖泊沉积为主;而当湖盆进入短暂回返阶段时,北部出露地表遭受剥蚀,沉积区南退,以辫状河三角洲-扇三角洲-湖泊沉积为主。湖盆的沉降中心、沉积中心、沉积方式、沉积相类型及其空间配置等均受湖盆演化阶段控制。同时油气储集砂体的发育、油气圈闭类型等也受湖盆演化特点的影响,湖盆陡坡侧易于形成构造圈闭、岩性圈闭和复合圈闭等,缓坡侧则易于形成地层及岩性圈闭。     

华亭矿区延安组沉积环境分析

华亭矿区延安组形成于河流、湖泊三角洲-湖泊沉积体系,其中以湖泊三角洲平原占优势,其沉积相有河流相、冲积扇相、湖泊三角洲相、湖泊相.煤系沉积初期,以河流及冲积扇沉积为主,沉积中期则以湖泊三角洲沉积为主,晚期以湖泊环境为主,延安组各煤层大多是在湖泊三角洲平原上泥沼化形成的.     

Middle Miocene to Pleistocene sedimentary record of rift evolution in the southern Albert Rift (Uganda)

This study presents an almost complete Middle Miocene to Pleistocene sequence of synrift sediments in the western branch of the East African Rift. The studied succession is exposed in several patches on an eastward tilted block between the northern tip of the Rwenzori Block and the eastern shoulder of the Albert Rift. In this position, it reaches a maximum thickness of 600 m of which 350 m have been logged systematically by analysing lithofacies and sediment architecture. Stratigraphic subdivision of the succession relies on published biostratigraphic data of endemic mollusc associations and their correlation across East Africa. The synrift sediments encountered are siliciclastics ranging from clay to coarse gravel with gypsum and ferrugineous interlayers or impregnations. Lithofacies and architectural analysis indicate alluvial plain, delta plain, nearshore, delta front, or lacustrine depositional environments. Based on the vertical stacking pattern, prograding and retrograding trends of the depositional environments, and climatic indicators (e.g. conservation of feldspar, gypsum, and/or iron hydroxide precipitation), four evolutionary phases can be distinguished: (i) a first phase between ca. 14.5 and 10.0 Ma is characterised by bedload-dominated fluvial environment with massive sandy to gravelly bedforms, feldspar-rich sands, rare iron impregnations and relatively low accommodation space. This phase is interpreted as pre- and early synrift sedimentation under a semiarid climate. (ii) From ca. 10.0 to 4.5 Ma predominantly fine-grained siliciclastics were deposited in a distal fluvial plain to lacustrine setting characterised by limited accommodation space. Fluctuation of thin beds, dominance of clay and frequent iron impregnations point to a more humid climate with seasonality and weak tectonic activity. (iii) During the third phase between 4.5 and 2.0 Ma delta plain and nearshore deposits with frequent ferrugineous impregnations and rich mollusc associations occurred, indicating a humid period with lake-level highstands and accelerated subsidence. (iv) During the final sedimentary interval between 2.0 and 1.5 Ma gravel units reoccurred with less iron- but more carbonate and gypsum impregnations, and arkosic sandstones. This phase recorded a general aridisation trend most probably caused by the upcoming rain barrier of the Rwenzori Mountains together with accelerated rift-flank uplift and strong subsidence of the rift floor. The results of this study are of particular importance for delineating key controls on sedimentation in the Albert Rift.     

保定平原区地下水生态水位阈值的探讨

地下水具有重要的生态价值,地下水生态系统中的地下水位、水质和包气带含水率与含盐量的变化驱动着表生生态格局的演变,但目前对各变量的生态阈值研究尚处于起步阶段,理论与方法体系还不完善。以保定平原区为例,采用地下水位及地下水生态环境的历史回归法、GIS法、差分网格计算法等方法,从时空角度分析了地下水位变化的驱动力以及生态效应,在此基础上确定不同水文地质单元的生态水位阈值。研究表明:（1）20世纪50—60年代,研究区依赖于地下水的生态格局基本维持着天然状态;1959—2000年,地下水位持续下降,局部地段出现降落漏斗;2000—2008年,地下水位骤降,降落漏斗迅速扩张,地下水与地表水补排关系发生变异;2008年至今,部分区域地下水位逐渐上升。（2）研究区内山前地带地下水生态水位埋深为10~15?m,拒马河冲洪积扇群与漕河—瀑河冲洪积扇群为5~10?m,唐河—大沙河冲洪积扇群为3~5?m,冲积平原中定州—望都范围为3~5?m,保定市为10~15?m,其余均为5~10?m,冲湖积平原环淀区域小于3?m。（3）以确定的地下水生态水位为标准,初步估算研究区现状地下水位恢复至生态水位的需水量为57.14×108?m3。研究成果对恢复当地地下水生态环境格局有重要意义,对华北平原地下水生态水位的确定也具有借鉴意义。     

合肥盆地白垩纪层序地层格架、沉积体系配置及演化

合肥盆地的白垩系是叠置在侏罗纪前陆盆地上的断陷构造层,其层序地层及沉积演化研究是油气勘探的重要环节。综合应用横跨盆地二维地震剖面、测井、岩芯、露头及其它分析化验资料,对合肥盆地白垩纪的地层进行了层序地层界面的识别、划分,建立了该期地层格架。共划分出一级层序:构造层序界面（构造层序）界面2个:SBK1(TK1)、SBE(TE);二级层序（层序组）界面1个:SBK2(TK2);三级层序（层序）界面4个:SBK11(TK11)、SBK12(TK12)、SBK13(TK13)、SBK21(TK21)。在此基础上建立了合肥盆地白垩纪层序地层格架及沉积演化阶段:早白垩世层序组（包括朱巷组和响导铺组层序组）:为西缓超东陡深的不对称箕状断陷格局,西南部和北西部各发育一个大型冲积扇—冲积平原—三角洲平原带,西南部冲积扇—冲积平原大部分已经被剥蚀殆尽;东部和东北部发育一系列扇三角洲构成扇三角洲平原（裙）,两者之间为滨浅湖—半深湖—深湖。晚白垩世层序组(张桥组层序组):北断南超的格局占主导,早白垩世时期的大型三角洲体系域已经不复存在,代之而起的是北部发育较大规模的扇三角洲平原;而南部或西南部冲积扇—冲积平原—三角洲平原带已经大为缩小到信阳—舒城断裂北缘。     

Shallow groundwater and soil chemistry response to 3 years of subsurface drip irrigation using coalbed-methane-produced water

Disposal of produced waters, pumped to the surface as part of coalbed methane (CBM) development, is a significant environmental issue in the Wyoming portion of the Powder River Basin, USA. High sodium adsorption ratios (SAR) of the waters could degrade agricultural land, especially if directly applied to the soil surface. One method of disposing of CBM water, while deriving beneficial use, is subsurface drip irrigation (SDI), where acidified CBM waters are applied to alfalfa fields year-round via tubing buried 0.92 m deep. Effects of the method were studied on an alluvial terrace with a relatively shallow depth to water table (～3 m). Excess irrigation water caused the water table to rise, even temporarily reaching the depth of drip tubing. The rise corresponded to increased salinity in some monitoring wells. Three factors appeared to drive increased groundwater salinity: (1) CBM solutes, concentrated by evapotranspiration; (2) gypsum dissolution, apparently enhanced by cation exchange; and (3) dissolution of native Na–Mg–SO₄ salts more soluble than gypsum. Irrigation with high SAR (～24) water has increased soil saturated paste SAR up to 15 near the drip tubing. Importantly though, little change in SAR has occurred at the surface.     

Proposed engineering of gypsiferous soil classification

Proposed engineering of gypsiferous soil classification is given. This classification depends on soil texture, mineralogy, geochemistry and engineering properties. Study areas are located within the Mesopotamian plain and include four locations, namely, Najaf, Karbala, Falluja and Samarra which are located between latitudes 32° and 35° and longitudes 43° and 44° 30??. The study performed includes analyses of soil samples for their mineralogy and physical and engineering properties as well as the chemical analyses of soil water extracts. The results suggest that these soils consist of different percentages of sand, silt, clay and some gravel. Analysis also detected secondary gypsum, quartz, calcite, feldspar, different types of rock fragments and different types of heavy minerals in trace amount. Clay minerals are dominated by palygorskite. Hydrochemical analysis results of soil water extracts show that the calcium and sulphate ions are most common, followed by sodium, bicarbonate, chloride, magnesium and potassium. Bicarbonate and chloride show increased values in Karbala and Najaf areas. The highest gypsum content reached 67.5% in the Samarra area, while the lowest is in Karbala, which reached 28.9%.The physical and engineering properties of the studied soils were determined. Samples which were allowed to soak in water show a sudden drop in unconfined compressive strength, compression and shear values immediately after soaking and then decreased gradually. This classification of gypsiferous soils is composed of two classes: gypsiferous soil and highly gypsiferous soil, according to their gypsum content and initial void ratio, coefficient of curvature, coefficient of uniformity, the collapse potential, the compressive strength, cohesion, plasticity index, content of fines and the total dissolve solids of the soil water extracts. It is believed that this newly proposed classification for gypsiferous soils can be applied to other locations and therefore will be useful for other soil scientists and engineers as well because this classification depends on soil texture, mineralogy, geochemistry and engineering properties, while the other existing classifications deal with only one of these variables.