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Hydro-physical and Mineralogical Properties of Bhatpara Soil Pedon Under Madhupur Tract in Bangladesh

M. J. Uddin
Soil Resource Development Institute, Dhaka-1215, Bangladesh

lftekhar U. Ahmed
Soil Resource Development Institute, Dhaka-1215, Bangladesh

J. Hossain
Soil Resource Development Institute, Dhaka-1215, Bangladesh

S. Begum
Q/C Division, BISF Dhaka, Bangladesh

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

Hydro-physical and mineralogical properties of Bhatpara Soil (Typic Dys-trochrepts) pedon was examined. Morphologically, soil color was light yellowish brown to light reddish brown. The texture was clayey throughout the profile and structural types were angular blocky. The dry, moist and wet consistencies were very hard, very firm and very plastic with very sticky in all horizons. respectively. Many very fine to fine tubular pores in the A, B and C horizons. Boundary status does not follow any order of agricultural significance. The drainage conditions of the pedon according to above mentioned features were represents imperfectly drained. The distribution pattern of sand/silt and silt/clay showed some inconsistencies representing higher silt/clay ratios. Clayey nature influenced the aeration, drainage, moisture retaining capacity, ease of root penetration. retention capacity of nutrients as hindering the plant growth provides hard pan at shallow depths. Bulk density values increased with increasing depths indicating compactness in the lower horizons. Hygroscopic moisture content was satisfactory but increased in the lower horizons. This variation of moisture content possibly due to the variation of clay contents. Hydraulic conductivity were also low. Mineralogical composition of clays by X-ray diffraction showed that Bhatpara soil pedon contained the mica mineral dominantly, however kaolinite, Vermiculite and Feldspar in trace amounts. These mineralogical contents also correlated with the Exchangeable cations. Considering, the hydro-physical conditions Bhatpara soil pedon, presently it degraded its hydro-physical and mineralogical resources at an alarming rate.

Keywords: Soil, Hydro-physical properties, Mineralogical properties, Madhupur tract.

Location: Soil Resource Development Institute, Dhaka, Bangladesh

Start Date:

End Date:

Program Area: Crop-Soil-Water Management

Commodity: Land development productivity

Objectives:

Objective of this study was to determine the evaluation of hydro-physical and mineralogical properties of Bhatpara soil pedons as representative.

Methodology:

Geologically, Madhupur Tracts (Where Bhatpara Soil Pedon Exists) are underlain by the Madhupur Clay. Madhupur clay was not deposited by rivers draining from mineral rich rocks in the Himalayas, as are most floodplain sediments in Bangladesh, but that it was derived from ancient rocks similar to those in the Rajmahal Hills in India or from old weathered soils which occupied Tertiary landscapes in northern and central India (Brammer, 1996). In its original state, the Madhupur Clay is a heavy clay with marked shrink swell properties. It is remarkably uniform in mineral composition throughout its extent and also uniform with depths. These properties suggests deposition in as estuarine or marine environments. In situ study of the pedogenic horizons of the soil profile with respect to their depth, degree of development, texture, structure, color, consistence and special pedogenic feature. Hydro-physical nature of land and soil environment as texture, structure, consistence, plasticity, profile boundary, bulk density, particle density, porosity, drainage, hygroscopic moisture contents, saturation percentages were evaluated for different pedogenic horizons. According to FAO (1977) morphogenetic properties of the pedons were high lighted in the natural conditions. Particle size distribution was determined by hydrometer method as Piper (1966) and textural class using USDA textural triangle. The bulk density of soil was determined by both core and clod methods and particle density by a pycnometer method as described by Blake and Hartge (1986). The porosity of soil was calculated from data of Particle density and Bulk density (Vomocil, 1965). Hygroscopic moisture percentage was calculated from the loss of moisture from the samples (Black, 1965). Saturation percentages of soils determined by making a saturation paste as described by Black (1965). Hydraulic Conductivity was measured by constant water head method using saturated core sample in the laboratory (SRDI staff, 1986). The soil samples were extracted with IN NH₄0AC solution at pH 7.0. The adsorbed ammonium ions were extracted with IN KCI. The ammonium was measured by micro-distillation method as described by Black (1965). The exchangeable cations were determined from NH₄0AC extract as described by Jackson (1962). Exchangeable cations like Na⁺ and K⁺ were determined by using a flame photometer and Ca ⁺⁺ was determined by EDT Acomplexometric titration method by the use of calcon indicator. Mg⁺⁺ was determined by EDT A titration method by the use of Erichrome Black- T indicator as described by Black (1965). Percent Base Saturation calculated from total exchangeable bases and CEC as a percentage. Identification and estimation of mineralogical composition were carried out by x-ray diffraction (XRD) methodology. The separated clay fraction was treated by 1M KCI and 0.5 N MgCI₂ respectively to make K⁺ and Mg⁺⁺ saturated clay and wash them with ethanol to remove excess salts. Suitable amounts (0.4 ml) of soil was dropped on a glass slide covering two third of its area, air dried and X-rayed. The air dried specimen, the Mg saturated clay was x-rayed after saturation with glycerol and K saturated clay after heating at 300°C and 550°C for 2 hour. The XRD pattern were obtained using Shirnadzu XRD 6000 diffractometer with Ni-filtered CuKα radiation at 40 KY and 30 mA and at a scanning speed of 2.00/m over a range of 3-35°2θ. Approximate mineral contents of clay fraction estimated on the basis of the relative peak intensities in the XRD patterns of random powder mount.

Source of Information: Bangladesh J. Sci. Res. 19 (1): 1-9 , 2001 (June)

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

Budget:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

Bhatpara soil pedon showed a higher Clay contents through which percolation was impossible. As a result, leaching was not possible. Moreover, it showed a higher percentages of base saturation and the nutrients should not utilized by plants. Root growth was hampered because of its rocky appearance and the soluble salts presses upward because of high temperature and the exchangeable sodium showed a higher value in this soils. From morphological, physical, chemical and mineralogical analysis, the soils were distinctly brownish red with a higher clay contents and there were indication of separation of sesquioxides and their subsequent fixation in the profiles, providing argilluviation in the horizons. Fertility degradation appeared and subsequent disappearence of the pedons was apprehended in near future.

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