Morphogenic evolution of soils and their engineering properties in central and lower Chaj Doab, Punjab, Pakistan. | [Proceedings of the workshop on Geological Materials and Aggregates of Pakistan • 2007]

Author(s):

1. Muhammad Munawar Iqbal Gondal: Directorate of Land Reclamation, Irrigation & Power Department, Canal Bank, Moghalpura, Lahore, Pakistan

2. Ahmad Zia Javaid: Directorate of Land Reclamation, Irrigation & Power Department, Canal Bank, Moghalpura, Lahore, Pakistan

3. Asif Raza Qureshi: Directorate of Land Reclamation, Irrigation & Power Department, Canal Bank, Moghalpura, Lahore, Pakistan

4. Naveed Ahsan: Institute of Geology, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan

5. Muhammad Nawaz Chaudhry: College of Earth & Environmental Sciences, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan

Abstract:

Central and lower Chaj Doab is comprised of Sargodha and part of Jhang District. It is located between latitude 31° 12’ to 32° 35’ N and longitude 72° 05’ to 73° 15’ E. It falls in semi arid belt of monsoonal south Asian type climate and receives 203mm to 381 mm annual rainfall. The area is comprised of clastic sediments that had been transported to and deposited by fluvio-aeoline processes. It appears that there was an extensive, uniform older deposit over which the present drainage had established and at the same time it reworked/redistributed the original deposit. There are three depositional levels, signatured by the presence of level pair terraces developed by the migration of rivers under eustatic or tectonic control, which bound this area. Both the trunk streams of Jhelum and Chenab rivers, confluence at head Trimu in District Jhang. The geology of surface soil deposits of the area has been described in relation to geomorphic features developed by erosional/depositional processes controlled by fluvial phenomena. Three morphogenic units have been identified in the area. Kirana Hills are believed to be a neotectonic feature that, at present, has been circum alluviated and is comprised of metasediments and igneous rocks. Gondal-Kirana Bar upland is an old river terrace occupying central Chaj Doab. It shows a well-developed soil profile with profound kankars in B-horizon at a depth of 3 to 5 feet. The surface deposits are fine silty soils ranging from CL-ML (silty clay) to CL (lean clay). Occasional ML (silt) and SM (silty sand) are also reported. According to AASHTO classification the entire Bar-upland possesses A-4 soils with subordinate A-2-4 & A-6 soils in channel levee remnants and channel fill areas. These soils are generally cohesive and non-swelling (CNS) in character. The alluvial plains are comprised of recent to sub-recent level plains of River Jhelum and Chenab. The soils of these areas are generally coarse to medium textured sandy loams, loams, silty loam (SM to ML i.e. silty sand to sandy silt) falling under A-2-4 to A-4 groups. The soil profile is not well developed and these soils are also non-swelling and nonexpanding. The typical back slope facies of flood plain soils occur between sub-recent Jhelum flood plain and Bar upland. This depression is as low as riverbed itself This area is comprised of clayey material (lean clay, CL) having A-6 to A-7 soil groups, which show a low to medium swelling/expansion potential. This article provides preliminary information required for the planning of development projects like roads, buildings, and water management for agriculture.

Page(s): 51-70

DOI: DOI not available

Published: Journal: Proceedings of the workshop on Geological Materials and Aggregates of Pakistan, Volume: 0, Issue: 0, Year: 2007

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