VARIATION IN PARENT MATERIAL AND ITS EFFECT ON THE PROPERTIES AND DEVELOPMENT OF SOIL PROFILES IN THE NORTHERN PART OF THE COASTAL REGION (LATTAKIA - SYRIA)

Abstract

This study sheds light on the effect of diversity in the parent rock on some properties and development of soil profiles in the northern part of the coastal region of Syria. To achieve the goal of this study, several different profiles of the parent material were selected: profiles (P1, P2, P3, P4) on sedimentary rocks and profiles (P5, P6, P7. P8, P9) on ophiolites. Profiles were excavated, described morphologically, and samples were taken from each horizon to conduct the necessary analyzes, according to internationally accepted methods. The results showed that most soil properties are affected by changes in the parent material and its composition, such as carbonate content, amount of organic matter, soil texture and color, pH level, chemical composition, and other properties studied, thus affecting the classification of these soils. The Mollisols order dominated the areas where ophiolite rocks spread, while the orders varied between Mollisols, Entisols, and Vertisols in the areas of sedimentary rocks. The presence of forest vegetation, along with the mineral composition of the parent rock, in addition to secondary factors such as fires, played a role in the development of soils and their taxonomic level.  

Keywords

• soil profile
• parent material
• soil properties
• soil classification
• the coastal region
• lattakia