MONITORING CHEMICAL AND PHYSICAL SOIL DEGRADATION IN DAMANHOUR DISTRICT, AL-BEHEIRA GOVERNORATE, EGYPT

Document Type : Full research articles

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Natural Resources and Agricultural Engineering Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Damanhour University, Egypt

Abstract

Different soil parameters are widely used in soil quality evaluation. This study aimed to determine the soil quality index in agricultural soils using integrated soil parameters and consider it as an indicator of chemical soil degradation in the study area and using satellite images for physical soil degradation monitoring. The study was carried out in Damanhour District, Al-Beheira Governorate, Egypt, in 2023, compared with a previous study in 2017. Soil samples collected from the surface and subsurface layers were analyzed to determine soil characteristics. The results showed that soil pH increased from 7.57 in 2017 to 8.65 in 2023, the electrical conductivity (EC) decreased slightly from 3.45 dS/m to 3.15 dS/m, the sodium adsorption ratio (SAR) increased from 5.33% to 7.21%, total carbonate (CaCO3) increased from 0.60% to 3.19%, and finally, organic matter (OM) increased from 0.14% to 1.02%. The soil quality index (SQI) in the study area decreased from 57.14% in 2017 to 48.57% in 2023. Although the comparison period is very short in such cases, it became clear that the soil suffers from chemical degradation - even if to a small degree - which makes it need good management to address this problem by paying attention to the suitability of irrigation water and the optimal use of chemical fertilizers. Also, 12% of the agricultural land was exposed to physical degradation between 2010 and 2030 because of urban expansion, which requires decision-makers to take the necessary measures to address this issue.

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