Soils of Qassem and Hail Regions of Central Saudi Arabia PDF

Keywords

soil profiles, Saudi Arabia, sediments

Abstract

Nine soil profiles from Qassem and Hail regions of Central Saudi Arabia were investigated for their physical, chemical, and mineralogical properties. It was found that the soils of Qassem which were formed on Permain sediments were gypsiorthids, highly saline, and contained high amounts of kaolinite in the clay fraction. Soils formed on Quaternary deposits were Calciorthids with high carbonate in the topsoil. Palygorskite was found in high amounts in the clay fraction of these soils. Soils of Hail region which were formed from granite were Torriorthents with small amount of salts and carbonate. Smectite dominated the clay fraction of these soils. Soil properties of both regions were mainly determined by the parent materials of the soils. Most soils contained low amounts of nitrogen, available phosphorous, and zinc