Abstract:
Various salt-affected soils of Sind Province were investigated in the laboratories of "Office de la Recherche Scientifique et Technique Qutre-Mer" at Bondy (France). The soils under study contained almost all the salts i.e. Chlorides, Sulfates and Carbonates of Sodium, Chlorides and Sulfates of Calcium and Magnesium. It was assumed that these salts were formed through capillary movement from saline underground water. The crystals of various salts identified through polarized microscope, were also confirmed by X-ray diffractometer and micro-analyser. It was noted that Sodium Chloride and Sodium Carbonate were only precipitated at the surface of the soil, while Gypsum was crystallized in the lower as well as in the upper horizons of the profile. The salts of CaCI2 and MgCl2 although present in appreciable quantities were not precipitated, because of their hygroscopic nature. The large crystals of Gypsum were observed in the lower horizons as compared to the upper one. The formation of larger crystals in the lower horizons might be due to high humidity and slow circulation of water in the bottom as compared to the surface of the profile.
Page(s):
45-51
DOI:
DOI not available
Published:
Journal: Journal of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Volume: 4, Issue: 1, Year: 1985