BEHAVIOR OF SOME MICRO NUTRIENTS IN RELATION TO
THEIR GEOMORPHOLOGICAL UNITS IN FAR-WEST SOILS
OF EL-MINYA – EGYPT
Abd El Salam M. Elwa* ; Walid F. Ramadan
and Ahmed M. Abou-Shady
Soil Chemistry and Physics Department- Desert Research Center,
El-Mataria 11753, Cairo, Egypt
*Email- abdelsalamelwa33@yahoo.com
Key Words: Micro-nutrients; Heavy metals; geomorphological units; El-Minya.
ABSTRACT
This research aims to know the behavior of some microelements and
relation to their geomorphological units in the far western soils of Minya,
Egypt. Achieve this were collected twenty two samples of eight soils
profiles in different locations at Far-West of El-Minya - Egypt. In this area,
one of the huge national projects that the Egyptian governments. The
obtained results showed that, the levels of available Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, Ni, and
Cr were oscillated closely to the critical levels of international regulation.
The correction between the studied heavy metals and both soil physical and
chemical properties tended to be oscillated from element to another.
The concentrations of available Fe was higher than the critical levels
of 2.5-2.6 mg kg-1 except for the first layer of soil profile number 1. The
Critical values of Mn in both sandy and calcareous soils were set to be 1.4
and 1.2 mg kg‐1, respectively and accordingly, the concentrations of Mn in
the studied soils profiles were lower that the critical levels particularly for
soil profiles number 1 and 2. However, it was close to the critical levels in
the rest of soil samples. Comparatively, high levels of Mn were observed
with the deep layer of soil profile number 3 and the top layer of soil profile
number 4. As it has set previously by different studies, the critical levels of
Zn in the alluvial and calcareous soils were 0.9 and 0.7 mg kg‐1,
respectively, samples that collected from soil profiles one and four were
lower than or equal to the critical levels. The concentrations of available Cu
in our study were oscillated among high to medium critical levels.
INTRODUCTION
The scarcity of water resources in several regions has caused panic for
decision maker particularly for countries that are located among latitudes
35°N to 35°S. In such latitudes the weather of arid and semi-arid is the
common weather in addition to seven of largest deserts worldwide is
existing. The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) countries are located
within latitudes 35°N to 35°S that suffer from deficiency of water resources
particularly for agriculture irrigation. Scarcity of water resources problem
becomes nowadays more complicated because of the rapid increases of
population simultaneously with socio-economic crises, political instability,
and vulnerability of region. Most of Egyptian population’s census living
Egypt. J. of Appl. Sci., 36 (3) 2021 62-77
adjacent to the River Nile and account approximately 95 million which
reinforce the importance of existing strong agricultural policy (Abou-
Shady, 2016 a and Azzam, 2016; Abou-Shady, 2017; Kassim et al.,
2018; Sayed et al., 2020).
In the present work, the vertical distribution of available heavy metals
including in eight soil profiles Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, Ni, and Cr in Far-West of El-
Minya – Egypt was studied. Samples were collected from eight soil profiles
at different which represent the medium high terraces (soil profiles 1-4) and
low high terraces (soil profiles 5-8). The correlation between the studied
heavy metals and soil chemicals properties, particle size distribution, and
textural classes were also investigated.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Twenty two soil samples were collected from eight soil profiles
representing the two the geomorphological units identified in Far-West of
El-Minya (Fig. 1). The soil profiles were divided into two medium high
terraces (soil profiles from 1 to 3) and low high terraces (soil profiles
from 4 to 8). The soil profiles were morphologically considered and the
whole samples of all profiles were air-dried, ground with a wooden pestle
in agate mortar, sieved through a 2 mm sieve and subjected to the
following analyses:
- Particle size distribution by the sieving, (Retsch 2009).
- Calcium carbonate content was determined using Collins calcimeter
(Horvath et al., 2005).
- pH in soil suspension 1:2.5 using pH-meter, 3320 Jenway, (Soil
Testing Laboratory, 2012); electrical conductivity (ECe) in the soil
saturation extract using electrical conductivity meter (YSI model 35).
- Soluble cations and anions according to the standard methods
outlined (Haluschak, 2006).
Fig. (1): Location of the studied soil profiles
63 Egypt. J. of Appl. Sci., 36 (3) 2021
Chemically extractable micronutrients Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, Ni and Cr
were determined according to Soltanpour and Schwab (1977) using the
extractant of ammonium bicarbonate- diethyl-triamine-penta acetic acid
(AB-DTPA) which is a mixture of 1.0 M ammonium bicarbonate (AB)
and 0.005 M DTPA and has a pH of 7.6, and measuring the elements by
the Plasma Optical Emission-Mass Spectrometer (POEMSIII)Thermo
Jerral Ash.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Data in Table (1) Showed that content calcium carbonate
containing soils were ranged among 10.5 to 17.2% denote to all the
studied soils samples were among the calcareous soils. The soil reactions
were detected to be between 6.8 to 7.6 that indicates the neutrality of soil
reactions.
The electrical conductivity values of soil past extraction were
ranged among 5.6 to 35.6 dS cm-1 indicate that soil samples were saline
to highly saline soils. Also, the values of Na mmolc L-1 were very high
that may reflect high risk for pants growth in this area. The lowest values
of electrical conductivity were detected is soil samples collected from
soil profiles numbers seven and eight.
Table (1): Chemical properties of the studied soils
Geomorphic
units
Profile
No.
Depth
, (cm)
CaCO3
(%)
pH EC
dS cm-1
Cations mmolc L-1 Anions mmolc L-1
Ca++ Mg++ Na+ K+ CO3
= HCO3
- Cl- SO4
=
Medium
high
Terraces
1 0-30 15.2 7.3 20.5 44.05 20.0 140.0 0.95 0.0 2.5 145.0 57.5
30-60 16.8 7.2 30.7 56.9 13.6 235.0 1.5 0.0 15.7 220.0 71.3
60-100 10.5 7.4 40.4 65.6 25.9 310.0 2.4 0.0 20.9 280.0 103.1
2 0-30 11.7 7.1 25.9 20.7 10.5 225.0 2.8 0.0 13.5 200.0 45.5
30-60 10.8 7.5 18.9 25.22 22.9 140.0 0.88 0.0 3.3 140.9 44.8
60-100 17.3 7.4 12.4 28.1 14.5 80.4 1.0 0.0 8.5 99.0 16.5
3 0-30 14.9 7.2 14.5 27.65 25.5 90.9 0.95 0.0 12.8 120.0 12.2
30-60 19.8 7.3 16.9 22.5 19.9 125.5 1.1 0.0 5.5 165.0 13.5
60-100 12.6 7.5 22.4 18.3 14.7 190.0 1.0 0.0 12.9 175.0 36.1
4 0-30 17.2 7.1 45.7 76.3 28.8 350.0 1.9 0.0 25.9 360.0 71.1
30-60 11.9 6.9 31.9 38.3 18.9 260.0 1.8 0.0 19.9 230.0 69.1
60-100 20.8 7.1 13.8 20.9 16.9 99.0 1.2 0.0 9.9 110.0 18.1
Low high
Terraces
5 0-30 11.3 7.3 24.9 42.1 9.9 195.9 1.1 0.0 11.5 175.0 62.5
30-60 12.9 7.4 41.9 51.1 25.5 340.0 2.4 0.0 22.9 330.9 65.2
60-100 10.8 6.8 25.8 26.1 9.8 220.0 2.1 0.0 12.4 185.9 59.7
6 0-30 15.7 7.1 8.9 17.5 14.6 55.8 1.1 0.0 5.9 65.8 17.3
30-60 14.9 7.6 12.9 20.3 16.8 90.6 1.3 0.0 9.9 110.8 8.3
60-100 13.8 7.4 35.6 32.6 30.8 290.0 2.6 0.0 25.9 285.0 45.1
7 0-25 12.2 7.1 8.5 14.5 8.9 60.8 0.80 0.0 6.6 61.7 16.7
25-40 15.4 7.3 5.6 3.7 2.9 48.7 0.70 0.0 2.7 48.9 4.4
8 0-25 11.1 7.6 9.2 7.0 20.9 77.5 0.6 0.0 12.9 70.9 8.2
25-40 13.4 7.2 7.5 10.5 6.6 57.0 0.9 0.0 6.9 67.0 1.1
Data presented in (Table 2) shows that the particle size distribution
and textural classes of the different layers of studied soils profiles. The
very course sand percentages (VCS: 2.0 - 1.0 mm) were ranged among
3.9% to 58% in the top surface layer of soil profile number four and third
Egypt. J. of Appl. Sci., 36 (3) 2021 64
layer of soil profile number 6, respectively. The course sand percentages
(CS: 1.0 – 0.5 mm) were varied among 3.5% to 20 % in the first layer of
soil profile number six and the second layer of soil profile number seven,
respectively. The medium sand percentages (MS: 0.5 – 0.25 mm) were
ranged between 18% to 30.1% in the second layers of soil profile number
two and four, respectively. The fine sand percentages (FS: 0.25 – 0.125
mm) were oscillated among 19.9% to 50.1% in second layer of soil
profile number two and the first layer of soil profile number four
respectively. The very fine sand percentages (VFS: 0.125 – 0.063 mm)
were ranged among 0.5% to 17.1% in the third layer of soil profile
number two and four, respectively. Finally, the total course sand
percentages were ranged between 79.9 to 96.1% in the first layer of soil
profile number three and four, respectively. The soil texture has been
oscillated among sand and loamy sand.
Table (2): Particle size distribution and textural classes of the studied
soils
Geomorphic
units
Profile
No.
Depth, Cm.
Coarse sand %
Total
coarse
sand %
Fine
sand %
Textural
classes
VCS CS MS FS VFS (Si+ Cl)
2.0-
1.0
mm
1.0-
0.5
mm
0.5-
0.25
mm
0.25-
0.125
mm
0.125-
0.063
mm
>0.063
mm
Medium
high
Terraces
1 0-30 8.3 10.7 19.1 26.9 15.0 80.0 20.0 Loamy
sand
30-60 22.3 14.2 20.4 20.1 13.1 90.1 9.9 sand
60-100 20.9 13.2 20.5 21.0 6.2 81.8 18.2 Loamy
sand
2 0-30 16.7 11.1 22.5 26.0 19.2 95.5 4.5 sand
30-60 26.6 12.0 18.0 19.9 11.4 87.9 12.1 sand
60-100 11.1 17.5 36.0 24.7 0.5 89.8 10.2 sand
3 0-30 5.4 5.1 27.8 37.1 4.5 79.9 20.1 Loamy
sand
30-60 5.9 4.1 28.8 37.2 19.6 95.6 4.4 sand
60-100 3.9 6.4 26.0 34.2 10.6 81.1 18.9 Loamy
sand
Low high
Terraces
4 0-30 3.9 4.1 28.1 50.1 9.9 96.1 3.9 sand
30-60 16.0 20.8 30.1 23.4 2.1 92.4 7.6 sand
60-100 5.7 4.3 31.4 36.1 17.1 94.6 5.4 sand
5 0-30 5.5 5.0 23.6 39.7 13.6 87.4 12.6 sand
30-60 8.0 4.3 27.9 36.4 15.3 91.9 8.1 sand
60-100 15.5 9.9 20.9 29.3 10.3 85.9 14.1 Loamy
sand
6 0-30 7.5 3.5 26.8 42.6 16.6 97.0 3.0 sand
30-60 10.2 4.5 21.8 33.4 16.2 86.1 13.9 sand
60-100 58.0 6.7 20.9 40.3 10.9 95.0 5.0 sand
7 0-25 9.6 12.3 23.4 29.8 7.0 82.1 17.9 Loamy
sand
25-40 13.5 20.8 25.6 26.6 10.0 96.5 3.5 sand
8 0-25 12.7 12.8 22.2 27.4 6.2 81.3 18.7 Loamy
sand
25-40 5.8 5.7 25.5 45.6 13.6 96.2 3.8 sand
Note. VCS: Very coarse sand, CS: Coarse sand, MS: Medium sand, FS: Fine sand,
VFS: Very fine sand and (Si +Cl) silt + Clay.
65 Egypt. J. of Appl. Sci., 36 (3) 2021
Data presented in (Table 3) listed the vertical distribution of available
Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, Ni, and Cr in the studied soil profiles. It was clear notice
that, the vertical distribution of available Fe was oscillated among the
geomorphic units including medium high terraces and low high terraces. In
the first three profiles that belongs to medium high terraces, Fe
concentrations were increased with increasing soil profile depth particularly
with the third layer that exist among 60-100 cm. On the other hand, the four
soil profiles (4-6) that belongs to low high terraces, Fe concentrations were
decreased that presented the opposite tendency that was observed with soil
profiles (1-3). For soil profiles number seven and eight it was observed the
parallel behavior that was obtained previously with the studied soil profiles
number (1-3). The highest values of Fe was found in the second layer of soil
profile number eight to be 25.80 mg kg-1, however the lowest values were
found in the first layer of soil profile number 1 to be 1.50 mg kg-1. The
concentrations of available Fe was higher than the critical levels of 2.5-2.6
mg kg-1 except for the first layer of soil profile number one (Esmail and
Sharef, 2017).
Table (3): Chemically extractable micronutrients of the studied soils
Geomorphic
units
Profile
No.
Depth,
Cm.
Available micronutrients mg Kg-1
Fe Mn Zn Cu Ni Cr
Medium high Terraces
1 0-30 1.50 0.10 0.99 0.50 1.00 1.99
30-60 3.40 0.80 0.6 0.80 1.12 1.70
60-100 3.8 0.65 0.66 0.44 2.10 1.80
2 0-30 3.5 0.37 0.76 0.34 2.40 1.60
30-60 3.1 0.76 0.60 0.11 0.99 1.90
60-100 4.00 0.89 0.76 0.15 0.85 1.70
3 0-30 5.1 2.7 0.30 0.60 0.92 1.50
30-60 6.8 2.9 0.88 0.15 2.70 1.40
60-100 5.50 3.30 0.99 0.16 2.99 1.30
Low high Terraces
4 0-30 9.88 3.40 0.78 0.80 3.11 1.90
30-60 8.90 0.90 0.45 0.66 3.00 2.00
60-100 7.90 1.30 0.90 0.70 2.77 2.11
5 0-30 8.90 1.20 1.90 0.60 2.50 1.90
30-60 5.60 1.60 1.32 0.70 2.45 1.80
60-100 4.50 1.70 1.22 0.80 2.22 2.00
6 0-30 20.00 1.88 1.00 0.60 1.99 2.45
30-60 17.80 1.20 0.88 0.77 2.88 2.11
60-100 15.77 1.33 0.98 0.34 1.90 1.80
7 0-25 19.11 1.90 0.61 0.21 2.55 1.70
25-40 22.10 1.87 0.74 0.80 3.10 1.43
8 0-25 23.67 1.95 0.80 0.33 3.20 1.35
25-40 25.80 1.30 0.45 0.45 3.22 1.20
Egypt. J. of Appl. Sci., 36 (3) 2021 66
The distribution of available Mn was also oscillated within the
different depths. For the first three soil profiles Mn concentrations were
increased with increasing soil depth. The same tendency that was
observed with Fe for the rest 4-8 was also observed with Mn in which
Mn concertation was decreased with increasing soil depth for the studied
soil profiles numbers (4-6). However, soil profiles numbers seven and
eight showed the same tendency that was observed with soil profiles
numbers one, two, and three. The highest values of Mn was observed to
be 3.3 mg kg-1 in the third layer of soil profile number 3. However, the
lowest values of Mn was observed in the first layer of soil profile number
one. The Critical values of Mn in both sandy and calcareous soils were
set to be 1.4 and 1.2 ug g‐1, respectively. Accordingly, the concentrations
of Mn in the studied soils were lower that the critical levels particularly
for soil profiles number one and two. On the other hand, it was close to
the critical levels in the rest of soil samples. Comparatively, high levels
of Mn were observed with the deep layer of soil profile number three and
the top layer of soil profile number four (Elgala et al., 1986).
The distribution of available Zn in the studied soil profiles was
oscillated with increasing soil depth. The concentrations of available Zn
tended to decrease with soil profiles numbers one, two, five, six, and
eight. However, for soil profiles numbers three and four Mn
concentrations tended to be increased. The highest values of available Zn
was found in the first layer of soil profile number five that was equal to
1.9 mg kg-1. On the other hand, the lowest values of available Zn were
observed in the second layer of soil profiles number four and eight,
respectively. As it has been set previously by other study the critical
levels of Zn in the alluvial and calcareous soils were 0.9 and 0.7 ug g‐1,
respectively. The soil samples that are collected from soil profiles 1-4
were lower than or equal to the critical levels (Elgala et al., 1986).
The vertical distribution of Cu is listed in Table 3. The
concentrations of Cu were increased with increasing soil depth for soil
profiles numbers one, five, six, seven, and eight. However, the opposite
tendency was observed with soil profiles numbers two, three, and four.
The highest values of Cu was observed in the first layer of soil profile
number one, the third layer of profile number five, and the second layer
of soil profile seven that was equal to 0.80 mg kg kg-1. However, the
lowest values of Cu was observed in the second layer of soil profile
number two that was equal to 0.11 mg kg-1. The critical levels of Cu in
soil was set to be low if it ranged among 0-0.05 mg kg-1, and high if it
higher than 0.5 mg kg-1, the Cu levels in our study were oscillated among
the high and medium levels .
67 Egypt. J. of Appl. Sci., 36 (3) 2021
Table (4): Weighted mean, trend, and specific ranges of available Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, Ni and Cr of the
studied soils
Profile
No.
Fe Mn Zn Cu Ni Cr
W T R W T R W T R W T R W T R W T R
1 2.99 +0.50 0.77 0.53 +0.81 1.32 0.74 -0.25 0.53 0.57 +0.12 0.64 1.48 +0.32 0.75 1.83 -0.08 0.16
2 3.58 +0.02 0.25 0.70 +0.47 0.75 0.71 -0.06 0.22 0.20 -0.44 1.18 1.36 -0.43 1.14 1.73 +0.08 0.17
3 5.77 -0.15 0.29 3.00 +0.10 0.20 0.75 +0.60 0.92 0.29 -0.52 1.56 2.28 +0.60 0.91 1.39 -0.07 0.14
4 8.79 -0.11 0.23 1.81 -0.47 1.38 0.73 -0.07 0.62 0.72 -0.10 0.19 2.94 -0.05 0.12 2.01 +0.06 0.10
5 6.15 -0.31 0.72 1.52 +0.21 0.33 1.45 -0.24 0.47 0.71 +0.15 0.28 2.37 -0.05 0.12 1.91 +0.01 0.10
6 17.65 -0.12 0.24 1.46 -0.23 0.47 0.96 -0.04 0.13 0.55 -0.09 0.79 2.22 +0.10 0.44 2.09 -0.15 0.31
7 20.23 -0.06 0.15 1.89 -0.01 0.02 0.66 +0.07 0.20 0.43 +0.51 1.37 2.76 +0.07 0.20 1.60 -0.06 0.17
8 24.47 +0.03 0.09 1.71 -0.13 0.38 0.67 -0.16 0.52 0.38 +0.12 0.32 3.21 0.0 0.01 1.29 -0.04 0.12
Egypt. J. of Appl. Sci., 36 (3) 2021 68
The distribution of available Ni in the studied soil profiled is also
presented in Table 3. It was clear seen that the concentrations of available
Ni were tended to increase with soil depth for all soil profiles except for
soil profiles number two and four. The highest values of Ni were found
to be 3.22 mg kg-1 in the second layer for soil profile number eight,
however the lowest values were found to be 1.0 mg kg-1 and were
observed in the first of soil profile number one. The distribution of Cr
tended to decrease with increasing soil depth for all soil profiles except
for soil profiles number two and five. The highest values of Cr were
found to be 2.45 mg kg-1 and were observed in the first layer of soil
profile number six, however the lowest values were observed in the first
layer of soil profile number eight to 1.35 mg kg-1.
Data presented in Table 4 shows the vertical values of weighted
mean, trend, and specific ranges of available Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, Ni and Cr
in the studied soils profiles. The weighted means of Fe were ranged
among 2.99 to 24.47 in the first and eight soil profiles, respectively. The
order of sequence for the studied soil profiles was as follows: soil profile
number 8 > soil profile number 7 > soil profile number 6 > soil profile
number 5 > soil profile number 4 > soil profile number 3 > soil profile
number 2 > soil profile number 1. The range values were oscillated
among positively and negatively values. The negatively values were
obtained with soil profiles numbers one, two, three, seven, and eight,
respectively. However, the positive values were obtained with soil
profiles numbers four, five, and six. The ratio values were ranged among
0.09 and 0.77 in soil profiles numbers eight and one, respectively. The
sequence of order of ratio values of the studied soil profiles were found
to take the following order soil profile number 8 < soil profile number 7
< soil profile number 4 < soil profile number 6 < soil profile number <
soil profile number 3 < soil profile number 5 < soil profile number 1. The
weighted means of Mn were ranged among 0.53 to 3.0 in the first and
third soil profiles, respectively. The order of sequence for the studied soil
profiles was soil profile 1 > soil profile number 2 > soil profile number 6
> soil profile number 5 > soil profile number 8 > soil profile number 4 >
soil profile number 7 > soil profile number 3. The range values were
oscillated among positively and negatively values. The negatively values
were obtained with soil profiles numbers one, two, three, and five,
respectively. However, the positive values were obtained with soil
profiles numbers four, seven, six, and eight. The ratio values were ranged
among 0.02 and 1.38 in soil profiles numbers seven and four
69 Egypt. J. of Appl. Sci., 36 (3) 2021
respectively. The sequence of order of ratio values of the studied soil
profiles were found to take the following order soil profile number 7 <
soil profile number 3 < soil profile number 5 < soil profile number 8 <
soil profile number 6 < soil profile number 2 < soil profile number 1 <
soil profile number 4.
The weighted means of Zn were ranged among 0.66 to 1.45 in the
seventh and fifth soil profiles, respectively. The order of sequence for the
studied soil profiles was soil profile number 8 < soil profile number 7 <
soil profile number 4 < soil profile number 2 < soil profile number 3 <
soil profile number 1 < soil profile number 6 < soil profile number 5.
The range values were oscillated among positively and negatively values.
The negatively values were obtained with soil profiles numbers three,
and seven, respectively. However, the positive values were obtained with
soil profiles numbers one, two, four, five, six, and eight. The ratio values
were ranged among 0.13 and 0.92 in soil profiles numbers 6 and 3,
respectively. The sequence of order of ratio values of the studied soil
profiles were found to take the following order soil profile number 6 <
soil profile number 7 < soil profile number 2 < soil profile number 5 <
soil profile number 4 < soil profile number 1 < soil profile number 8 <
soil profile number 3. The weighted means of Cu were ranged among
0.20 to 0.72 in the second and forth soil profiles, respectively. The order
of sequence for the studied soil profiles was soil profile number 2 < soil
profile number 3 < soil profile number 8 < soil profile number 7 < soil
profile number 6 < soil profile number 1 < soil profile number 4 < soil
profile number 4. The range values were oscillated among positively and
negatively values. The negatively values were obtained with soil profiles
numbers five, seven, and eight, respectively. However, the positively
values were obtained with soil profiles numbers one, two, three, four, and
six. The ratio values were ranged among 0.19 and 1.56 in soil profiles
numbers four and three, respectively. The sequence of order of ratio
values of the studied soil profiles were found to take the following order
soil profile number 4 < soil profile number 5 < soil profile number 8 <
soil profile number 1 < soil profile number 6 < soil profile number 2 <
soil profile number 3 < soil profile number 7.
The weighted means of Ni were ranged among 1.48 to 3.21 in the
first and eighth soil profiles, respectively. The order of sequence for the
studied soil profiles was soil profile number 2 < soil profile number 1 <
soil profile number 6 < soil profile number 3 < soil profile number 5 <
soil profile number 7 < soil profile number 4 < soil profile number 8.
Egypt. J. of Appl. Sci., 36 (3) 2021 70
The range values were oscillated among positively and negatively values.
The negative values were obtained with soil profiles numbers one, three,
six and seven, respectively. However, the positively values were obtained
with soil profiles numbers two, four, five and eight. The ratio values were
ranged among 0.01 and 1.14 in soil profiles numbers eight and two
respectively. The sequence of order of ratio values of the studied soil
profiles were found to take the following order soil profile number 8 <
soil profile number 4 = soil profile number 5 < soil profile number 7 <
soil profile number 6 < soil profile number 3 < soil profile number 1 <
soil profile number 2. The weighted means of Cr were ranged among
1.29 to 2.09 in the eighth and sixth soil profiles, respectively. The order
of sequence for the studied soil profiles was soil profile number 8 < soil
profile number 3 < soil profile number 7 < soil profile number 2 < soil
profile number 5 < soil profile number 1 < soil profile number 4 < soil
profile number 6.
The range values were oscillated among positively and negatively
values. The negative values were obtained with soil profiles numbers
two, four and five, respectively. However, the positive values were
obtained with soil profiles numbers one, three, six, seven, and eight. The
ratio values were ranged among 0.10 and 0.31 in soil profiles numbers (4
and 5) and 6 respectively. The sequence of order of ratio values of the
studied soil profiles were found to take the following order soil profile
number 4 = soil profile number 5 < soil profile number 8 < soil profile
number 3 < soil profile number 1 < soil profile number 2 = soil profile
number 7 < soil profile number 6.
Correlation between available heavy metals and soil chemical
properties
The correlation between the studied heavy metals and soil chemical
properties is presented in Table (5). The effect of Ca CO3 content was
found to oscillate among the positively and negatively correlations. The
correlations were positively with Mn, Cu, and Cr, however Fe, Zn, and
Ni were correlated negatively. The highest values of correlation were
found to be 0.25 with Zn, however the lowest values were found with Zn
to be -0.11. The effect of pH was found to correlate negatively with all
studied heavy metals except for Fe and Zn. The highest values of
correlations was found with Fe to be 0.12, however the lowest values of
correlation was found with Cr to be -0.30. The effects of salts
concentrations (dS cm-1) on the studied heavy metals were found to
oscillate among the negatively and positively correlations. The electrical
71 Egypt. J. of Appl. Sci., 36 (3) 2021
conductively presented negatively correlations with Fe, Mn, and Ni,
however it was correlated positively with Zn, Cu, and Cr. The highest
values of correlations were found with Cu to be 0.24, however the lowest
values were found with Fe to be -0.52. The effects of Ca2+ concentration
in the extractable soil past (mmolc L-1) were found to oscillate among the
negatively and positively correlations. Calcium concentrations were
correlated negatively with Fe, Mn, and Ni similar to the effects of
electrical conductively. However, it was correlated positively with Zn,
Cu, and Cr. The highest values of correlations were observed with Cu to
be 0.32, however the lowest values were found with Fe to be -0.55.
The majority of heavy metals were correlated negatively with Mg
concentrations (mmolc L-1) except for Mn and Cr. The highest values of
correlations were found with Mn to be 0.14, however the lowest values
were found with Fe to be -0.31. In contrast, the majority of heavy metals
were correlated positively with Na concentrations (mmolc L-1) except for
Fe and Mn. The highest values of correlations were found with Zn to be
0.24, however the lowest values were found to be -0.49. The effect of k
concentrations (mmolc L-1) were found to be similar to the effects of Na.
The highest values of correlations were found with Cr to be 0.23,
however the lowest values were found with Fe to be -0.36. On the hand,
the effects of HCO3 and Cl were almost the same in which the majority
of heavy metals were correlated positively except for Fe. The heights
values of correlations were found to be 0.27 and 0.22 for HCO3 and Cl,
respectively, however, the lowest values were found to be -.017 and -
0.49, respectively. Regarding the effects of SO4 (mmolc L-1) it was found
that Fe, Mn, and Ni were correlated negatively, however the rest of heavy
metals were correlated positively.
The effects of soil chemical properties on available Fe levels from
the correlation point of view were found to take the following sequence
SO4 < Ca < Ec < Na = Cl < K < Mg < HCO3 < CaCO3 < pH. However
the following sequence was found with Mn; SO4 < K < Ca < Ec = Na <
pH< Cl < Mg =HCO3 < CaCO3. On the other hand, the following trend
was observed with Zn; CaCO3< Mg < HCO3 < pH< Ca < K < Cl = Ec<
SO4 < Na. The effects of soil chemical properties of available Cu2+ (mg
kg-1) were found to take the following order; H < Mg < CaCO3 < K < Cl
< SO4 = Na < Ec < HCO3 < Ca. Regarding the available Ni the following
order was observed Mg < Ca < SO4 < CaCO3 = pH < Ec < Cl < K < Na <
< HCO3. Finally, the effects of soil chemical properties were taken the
following order pH < HCO3 < CaCO3 < Cl = Na < Mg < Ec < K < Ca <
SO4.
Egypt. J. of Appl. Sci., 36 (3) 2021 72
Table ( 5): Correlation between elements and soil chemical properties in soils
Elements
CaCO3
(%)
pH
ECe
(mmolc L-1)
Ca
(mmolc L-1)
Mg
(mmolc L-1)
Na
(mmolc L-1)
K
(mmolc L-1)
HCO3
(mmolc L-1)
Cl-
(mmolc L-1)
SO4
(mmolc L-1)
Fe -0.04 0.12 -0.52 -0.55 -0.31 -0.49 -0.36 -0.17 -0.49 -0.61
Mn 0.25 -0.01 -0.03 -0.09 0.14 -0.03 -0.23 0.14 0.05 -0.29
Zn -0.11 0.09 0.21 0.13 -0.09 0.24 0.15 0.07 0.21 0.23
Cu 0.17 -0.40 0.24 0.32 -0.08 0.23 0.21 0.27 0.22 0.23
Ni -0.07 -0.07 -0.04 -0.24 -0.25 0.03 0.02 0.16 0.00 -0.19
Cr 0.10 -0.30 0.20 0.31 0.19 0.16 0.23 0.08 0.16 0.32
73 Egypt. J. of Appl. Sci., 36 (3) 2021
Correlation between elements and soil physical properties
Data presented in Table (6) shows the correlation between the studied
heavy metals and soil physical properties such as soil texture including very
coarse sand (VCs) 2.0-1.0 mm, coarse sand (Cs) 1.0-0.5 mm, medium sand
(Ms) 0.5-0.25 mm, fine sand (Fs), and very fine sand (VFs) 0.125-0.063
mm. The correlations between soil texture and Fe distribution were equal
zero with VCs and MS. The correlations showed the negatively values with
Cs, VFs, and (Si+ Cl), however it were correlated positively with Fs and
total sand %. The highest values of correlation were obtained with Fs to be
0.38, however the lowest values were found with (Si+ Cl) -0.25. The order
of correlations were found to take the following sequence (Si+ Cl) < Cs <
VFs < VCs = Ms < total sand < Fs. The effects of soil texture of the studied
samples on Mn distribution were oscillated among the positively and
negatively correlations. The distribution of Mn in the studied soil profiles
were negatively correlated with VCs, Cs, VFs, and (Si+ Cl). However, it
was correlated positively with Ms, Fs, total sand. The highest values of
correlations were observed with Fs, however the lowest values were
observed with Cs. The order of correlation for the distributed of available
Mn inside soil profiles was found to take the following order Cs < VCs <
VFs < (Si-Cl) < total sand < Ms < Fs.
Vertical distributions of Zn in the studied soil profiles were
oscillated also among the positively and negatively correlations. It was
correlated negatively with VCs, Cs, Ms, and (Si+ Cl), however it were
correlated positively with Fs, VFs, and total sand. The highest values of
correlation were observed with VFs, however the lowest values were
observed with Cs. The sequences of correlation for Zn (mg kg-1) was found
to take the following order Cs < Ms < VCs < (Si + Cl) < total sand < Fs <
VFs. The vertical distribution of Cu in the studied soil profiles was found to
be correlated negatively with the higher size soil particles such as VCs, Cs,
and Ms. Also, Cu distribution was correlated negatively with (Si + Cl),
however it was correlated positively with Fs, VFs, and total sand. The
highest value of correlations was obtained with total sand to be 0.22,
however the lowest values were observed with (Si+Cl). The order of
correlations for Cu distributions were found to take the following sequence
(Si + Cl) < VCs < Cs = Ms < VFs < Fs < total sand.
The vertical distribution of Ni in the studied soil profiles was
oscillated also among the positively and negatively correlations. It was
correlated negatively with VCs, Cs, and (Si+Cl), however it was correlated
positively with Ms, Fs, VFs, and total sand. The highest values of
correlation was observed with Fs, however the lowest values were observed
with (Si + Cl). The sequences of correlation for the available concentrations
of Ni (mg kg-1) was found to take the following order (Si + Cl) < VCs < Cs
< Ms < VFs < total sand < Fs.
Egypt. J. of Appl. Sci., 36 (3) 2021 74
Table (6) Correlation between heavy metals and soil physical
properties
Elements
VCs
(2.0-1.0
mm)
Cs
(1.0-0.5
mm)
Ms
(0.5-0.25
mm)
Fs
(0.25-0.125
mm)
VFs
(0.125-0.063
mm)
Total
sand
(%)
(Si +Cl)
(%)
Fe 0.00 -0.03 0.00 0.38 -0.01 0.25 -0.25
Mn -0.36 -0.42 0.35 0.58 -0.05 0.03 -0.03
Zn -0.08 -0.38 -0.09 0.27 0.39 0.02 -0.02
Cu -0.16 -0.07 -0.07 0.19 0.13 0.22 -0.22
Ni -0.28 -0.13 0.16 0.39 0.17 0.30 -0.30
Cr 0.08 -0.15 -0.05 0.03 0.12 0.12 -0.12
The vertical distributions of Cr in the studied soil profiles was
found were oscillated among the positively and negatively correlations. It
was correlated positively with Cs, Ms, and (Si+Cl), however it was
correlated positively with VCs, Fs, VFs, and total sand. The highest
values of correlations was obtained with VFs and total sand to be 0.12,
however the lowest values were observed with Cs to be -0.15. The order
of correlations for Cu distributions were found to take the following
sequence (Si + Cl) < Cs < Ms < Fs < VCs < VFs = total sand.
CONCLUSION
The present work is focused on the distribution of some heavy
metals containing new reclaimed soils located in Far-West of El-Minya –
Egypt, in which eight soils profiles were collected in different locations
at. In this area, one of the huge national projects that the Egyptian
governments. The obtained results showed that, the levels of available
Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, Ni, and Cr were oscillated closely to the critical levels of
international regulation. The correction between the studied heavy metals
and both soil physical and chemical properties tended to be oscillated
from element to another. The concentrations of available Fe was higher
than the critical levels of 2.5-2.6 mg kg-1 except for the first layer of soil
profile number 1. The Critical values of Mn in both sandy and calcareous
soils were set to be 1.4 and 1.2 ug g‐1, respectively and accordingly, the
concentrations of Mn in the studied soils profiles were lower that the
critical levels particularly for soil profiles number 1 and 2. However, it
was close to the critical levels in the rest of soil samples. Comparatively,
high levels of Mn were observed with the deep layer of soil profile
number 3 and the top layer of soil profile number 4. As it has set
previously by different studies, the critical levels of Zn in the alluvial and
calcareous soils were 0.9 and 0.7 ug g‐1, respectively, samples that
collected from soil profiles one and four were lower than or equal to the
critical levels. The concentrations of available Cu in our study were
oscillated among high to medium critical level Abo Shelbayea et al.
(2016).
75 Egypt. J. of Appl. Sci., 36 (3) 2021
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سلوک بعض العناصر الصغرى وعلاقتها بالوحدات الجيومورفولوجية بأ ا رضى
أقصى غرب المنيا - مصر
عبدالسلام محمدعلوه - وليد فؤاد رمضان - أحمد محمد أبوشادى
قسم کيمياء وطبيعة الا ا رضى - مرکزبحوث الصح ا رء- المطرية- القاهرة- مصر
يهدف هذا البحث إلى معرفة سموک بعض العناصر الصغرى وعلاقتها بالوحدات
الجيومورفولوجية بأ ا رضى أقصى غرب المنيا- مصر ولتحقيق ذلک تم جمع اثنا وعشرون عينة
تربة ممثمة لثمانية قطاعات تربة وممثمة لوحدتين جيومورفولوجيتين من مواقع مختمفة في
أقصى غرب المنيا - مصر .في هذة المنطقة يجرى التحضير لأحد اکبر المشاريع القومية
الضخمة التي تبنتها الحکومات المصرية. و أظهرت النتائج المتحصل عميها أن مستويات
الحديد والمنجنيز والزنک والنحاس والنيکل والکروم الميسرة تتأرجح بالمقارنة بالمستويات الحرجة
الدولية . و وجد ان العلاقات بين العناصر الثقيمة المدروسة وخواص التربة الطبيعية والکيميائية
تميل إلى التأرجح ما بين القيم الموجبة والسالبة من عنصر إلى آخر .کما وجد أن ترکي ا زت
2.5 مجم - الحديد المتاحة أعمى من المستويات الحرجة والتى من المفروض ان تقع ما بين 2.6
/کجم باستثناء الطبقة الأولى من قطاع التربة رقم . 1 تم وضع القيم الحرجة لممنجنيز في کل
من التربة الرممية والجيرية لتکون 1.4 و 1.2 ميکروج ا رم /کجم تربة عمى التوالي وبالتالي
بالنسبة لمد ا رسة الحالية فان ترکي ا زت المنجنيز في قطاعات التربة المدروسة أقل من المستويات
الحرجة خاصة فى قطاعات التربة رقم 1 و . 2 کما ان القيم کانت قريبة من المستويات الحرجة
في باقى عينات التربة .کما لوحظ ان مستويات عالية من المنجنيز في الطبقة العميقة من قطاع
التربة رقم 3 والطبقة العميا من قطاع التربة رقم . 4 کما وجد ان العينات الارضية التي تم
جمعها من قطاعى التربة رقم واحد ورقم 4 أقل من أو تساوي المستويات الحرجة .کا وجد ان
ترکي ا زت النحاس الميسرة في د ا رستنا تذبذبت بين المستويات الحرجة العاليا والمتوسطة.
77 Egypt. J. of Appl. Sci., 36 (3) 2021
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