Genesis and classifi cation of Wadi el-Sheikh soils, Beni Suef, Egypt.

Abstract

The study examined some soils derived from calcareous and gypsiferous parent materials in Wadi el-Sheikh, opposite Al Fashn, Beni Suef, Egypt. The main objectives of this research were to study the relationship between clay minerals and physiographic units as well as the relative importance of key pedogenic processes in controlling clay mineralogy. Palygorskite, chlorite, illite, smectite,quartz and interstratifi ed minerals were observed in soil samples, using XRD analyses. Gypsiferous soils showed more pedogenic palygorskite as compared to calcareous soils. Lithic Gypsicalcids and Calcigypsids, Typic Calcigypsids, Lithic Haplocalcids, Haplocalcids Calcic Haplosalids are the classifi cation of the studied samples. Dissolution and transport of anhydrite from outcrops, is considered the main source of pedogenic gypsum in these soils. Micromorphological studies, of thin section observations indicated variable habits of gypsum crystals suggested a dynamic soil environment.