Effect of intermittent leaching on behavior of magnesium and sodium ions in sabkha soil for selected regions in central Iraq

Abstract EN

The study was conducted in order to determine the effect of intermittent leaching on the behavior of magnesium and sodium ions in sabkha soil compared to the other main ions.

Three locations were selected from the soil of central Iraq (Yusufiyah/Baghdad, Al-Shomali/Babylon, Al-Shamia/Al-Diwaniyah).

The soil was characterized by the high electrical conductivity between (131.48 - 206.92 dS m-1), low pH and it is characterized by dark brown color.

The chemical traits for the main ions were estimated where observed a reduction in the electrical conductivity values in the final leaching, ranging from 3.12 dS.m-1 to 4.71 dS.m-1 and a high soil pH.

The speed coefficient of leaching for Magnesium ion, It was found that it occupies an intermediate position between sodium and calcium ions.

The results of the study showed the predominance of magnesium chloride salts in sabkha soils and sodium chloride in Yusufiyah soils, which are in transition from Shoura to Sabkha because they contain a high percentage of magnesium chloride