Overview of the Salt Phases of the Soils of an Arid Region of Algeria
摘要
The plain of El Outaya by its geographical position was retained as a representative zone of the arid regions for this work; it is confronted with the problem of salinity and characterized by variable rates in gypsum and calcite Three representative profiles were chosen; profile 1(N35°1′50.5”, E 5°34′ 24.8”), profile 2 (N 34°55′ 15”, E 5°30′ 58”), and profile 3(N 34°54′ 15”, E 5°31′ 7”). Various analyses are conducted on soil samples, The electrical conductivity is determined using a conductivity meter with a soil-to-water ratio of 1/5. Total calcite content is assessed using Bernard's Calcimeter. Additionally, the quantification of gypsum is conducted through Richard's acetone method, which entails centrifuging the soil solution in the presence of acetone. The gypsum content is then determined by referencing a standard curve that correlates the solution's concentration with its electrical conductivity. The results obtained for the total calcite content show that the soils of the profiles studied are excessively calcareous with rates varying between 35.87% and 49.51%. The gypsum rates obtained in the different profiles show that these soils are low in gypsum; its values vary between 1.47% and 7.21% for most horizons. Profiles 2 and 3 are extremely salty with EC values oscillating between 9.75 dS /m and 20.75 dS/m, while profile 1 recorded EC values between 3.89dS/m and 5.11 dS/m in the lower horizon; it is a very salty profile.