Mohamed, M., Amer, S., Abdel-Kader, G. (2021). CLAY MINERALOGY IN RELATION TO GEOMORPHIC ASPECTS IN WADI EL-NATROUN DEPRESSION SOILS, WESTERN DESERTS, EGYPT. Menoufia Journal of Soil Science, 6(10), 363-375. doi: 10.21608/mjss.2021.213285
M. S. Mohamed; Shimaa A.M. Amer; G. A. Abdel-Kader. "CLAY MINERALOGY IN RELATION TO GEOMORPHIC ASPECTS IN WADI EL-NATROUN DEPRESSION SOILS, WESTERN DESERTS, EGYPT". Menoufia Journal of Soil Science, 6, 10, 2021, 363-375. doi: 10.21608/mjss.2021.213285
Mohamed, M., Amer, S., Abdel-Kader, G. (2021). 'CLAY MINERALOGY IN RELATION TO GEOMORPHIC ASPECTS IN WADI EL-NATROUN DEPRESSION SOILS, WESTERN DESERTS, EGYPT', Menoufia Journal of Soil Science, 6(10), pp. 363-375. doi: 10.21608/mjss.2021.213285
Mohamed, M., Amer, S., Abdel-Kader, G. CLAY MINERALOGY IN RELATION TO GEOMORPHIC ASPECTS IN WADI EL-NATROUN DEPRESSION SOILS, WESTERN DESERTS, EGYPT. Menoufia Journal of Soil Science, 2021; 6(10): 363-375. doi: 10.21608/mjss.2021.213285
CLAY MINERALOGY IN RELATION TO GEOMORPHIC ASPECTS IN WADI EL-NATROUN DEPRESSION SOILS, WESTERN DESERTS, EGYPT
1Soils, Water and Environmental Research Institute (SWERI), ARC, Egypt
2Nuclear Materials Authority
Abstract
The aim of the current work is to identify the mineralogy of the clay fraction of some soils representing Wadi El-Natroun Depression (W.N.D), Western Desert of Egypt using X-ray (XRD), Cation exchange Capacity (CEC), and surface area (SA) in an attempt to throw light on the interrelation of clay minerals to lithology and depositional environments of the areas. The obtained results indicate that, the studied soils are dominated by smectite (montmorillonite) mineral followed by Kaolinite and palygorskite. Also, hydrous mica (illite) and layer silicate ( inter stratified clay minerals) are present yet in variable frequency depending on the geomorphic unit on which these soil are occurred. CEC and surface area of the clay fraction varied from 33.42 to 48.23 Cmol/Kg and 447 to 652 /g clay, respectively. The relatively Low content of CEC and surface areas in the studied clay samples is attributed to that, smectite (montmorillonite) is associated with the occurrence of Kaolinite, palygorskite and illite. The mineral assemblage are interpreted in terms of lithology and depositional environments. The mode of formation to the pre-wet climate conditions in contrast to the present aridity.