Investigation of the relationship between physicochemical properties and forms of sheet and rill erosion in marl units of Zanjan province

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Deparhnent of Soil Conservation and Watershed Management Research, Zanjan Agricultural and Natural Resources Research and Education Center, AREEO, Zanjan, IranResources Research and Education Center, AREEO, Zanjan, lran.

2 Department of Arid and Mountainous Areas Restoration Faculty of Natural Resources, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran

3 Faculty of Soil Conservation and Watershed Management Research Institute, AREEO, Zanjan, Iran

Abstract

Introduction
Marls are one of the most important sedimentary units in Iran, which have high sedimentation and erodibility in terms of physical-chemical properties. This property of marls has caused a lot of environmental and construction damage, and therefore it is necessary to study the erosion and sedimentation of marl units. The factors affecting marl erosion are very many, and it has a very complex process, so that it is a function of external factors such as rainfall distribution and internal factors such as physical properties of soil and clay minerals. Accordingly, in studying the erosion and sedimentation potential of marls, it is necessary to pay careful attention to the type, physical and chemical properties and their relationship with the formation and spread of erosion types, as well as to the weather conditions, hydraulic and hydrological behaviors, topographic conditions, and current land use. It is obvious that a general judgment based on quantitative figures and numbers about the results of the research conducted, which is case-specific and regional, is not possible and scientific. Accordingly, it is not possible and logical to use the results obtained from them with complete confidence on a wide scale. But what is certain is that the approaches mentioned are steps that have been taken based on the knowledge and study of marls and confirm that the strategies for estimating erosion and sedimentation in marl areas cannot be based 100% on the common principles in the presented models that are used in watershed management today, but rather it is necessary to provide scientific and practical guidelines on how to investigate erosion and sedimentation potential in marls by completing the studies and research. In addition, the approaches mentioned should be calibrated and tested repeatedly in climatic conditions, topography, and in marl areas that differ in terms of physical and chemical properties. The occurrence and formation of types of erosion in marls is so widespread that it requires special research on the types of marls with erosive forms. Determining the physical, mechanical, and chemical characteristics of marls and investigating the relationship between the type of erosion and these characteristics are very effective and practical in determining and adopting effective strategies to curb erosion and sedimentation of marl fields, but they have received less attention in watershed plans. The result has been the implementation of management and implementation of operations, which, especially before the 1981, led to the failure of plans and the intended goals were not achieved. The occurrence and formation of types of erosion in marls is so wide that it requires special research in relation to types of marls with erosion forms.
This research investigated the physical and chemical characteristics, forms of erosion and intensity of sedimentation of marl units in Zanjan province.
Materials and Methods
This study investigated the physical and chemical properties, erosion patterns, and sedimentation intensity of marly units in Zanjan province. To analyze the physical and chemical properties of marly units, 120 samples were taken from marly materials of marly units at two depths of 0-10 and 0-30 cm. To prepare the erosion profile map of marly units, 366 working units were created by combining marly unit maps, elevation maps above sea level, slope maps, slope direction maps, and land use maps in a GIS environment, eliminating duplicate units, and processing them. Then, using satellite images, aerial photographs, and conducting field visits and controls, along with completing the BLM scoring tables, the type and profile of erosion in each of the working units were determined. This study investigates the physical and chemical properties, forms of erosion and sedimentation intensity of marl units in Zanjan province. To analyze the physical and chemical properties of marl units, sampling of marl materials of marl units in two depths of 0-10 and 0-30 cm was performed on 120 samples. To provide a map of erosion of marl units by combining maps, marl units, altitude map, slope map, direction map and land use together in GIS environment and by removing duplication and processing units, 366 work units were created. Then, using satellite images, aerial photographs and field study and controls along with completing the BLM method score tables, the type and appearance of erosion in each of the work units was determined. The obtained data were analyzed using SAS and SPSS statistical programs.
Results and Discussion
Study of erosion forms in marl units
Based on field studies, the water erosion process is the main erosion process in the region. In general, all the marl units under study have erosion and, according to the physicochemical and environmental characteristics (climate, slope, vegetation, etc.), have different erosion forms. The main erosion forms in the marl units of Zanjan province include raindrop erosion, surface erosion, furrow, ditch, tunnel erosion, thousand-valley erosion, and mass erosion.
Comparison of different erosion forms with t-test
Different water erosions are seen in marl units, but the dominant erosions in them are sheet and furrow erosion. Therefore, statistical studies have been conducted for these two erosions. Based on the results of comparing pairwise means of erosion using the t-test method for the two dominant erosions, surface and groove, it has been observed that characteristics such as organic matter percentage (OC), sodium absorption ratio (SAR), liquid limit (LL), and plasticity index (PI) have significant differences in both erosions.
Studying the effect of physical and chemical variables on erosion forms of marly units
Based on the results obtained from variance analysis and comparison of the means related to sheet and groove erosion forms using Duncan's method, the variables of organic matter percentage (carbon percentage), sodium absorption ratio, fluid limit and plasticity index in these two forms of erosion in the marly units of Zanjan province have significant differences, and in other variables, this difference and difference is not significant. Therefore, it is possible to use these characteristics and variables to separate these two forms of erosion in the marly units of the studied area. 3-4- Studying the relationship between the physicochemical properties of marly units and erosion forms since the environmental and physicochemical conditions required for the creation and development of erosion forms are different. Therefore, the erosion forms existing in these marly units are not at the same level in terms of both erosion form and expansion and abundance. Most of these erosion forms can be observed in the studied marl units with different frequency and extent. However, in terms of frequency and extent, the dominant erosion forms in them are surface or sheet erosion, groove and channel erosion. Of course, gully and mass erosion also have a significant frequency and extent in most of the studied marl units. Based on the results obtained, the physicochemical elements in the groove erosion form are more than the plate erosion form, and in fact, it indicates an increase in these elements from plate erosion to groove erosion. Except for the variables Silt, Electrical Conductivity (EC) and Absorbable Phosphorus (PAV), other elements and variables in groove erosion are more than in plate erosion. Accordingly, it can be said that in the groove erosion form, the physicochemical variables are more concentrated and focused, which is due to the greater erosion intensity than in the plate erosion state. Based on the results obtained from the T-test, analysis of variance using the F-test and comparison of means using the Duncan method, the




Researches in Earth Sciences       17(1) 2026




physicochemical characteristics of sheet and groove erosion forms of marly units, among the 22 physicochemical variables recorded and studied, of these erosion forms, the variables of organic matter percentage (OC), sodium absorption ratio (SAR), liquid limit (LL) and plasticity index (PI) in both surface and groove erosion types had significant differences and it was possible to distinguish between the two erosion forms based on them. Of course, this does not mean that there is no difference between these two erosions in other variables and physicochemical characteristics. Because there are also differences and differences between other variables. But from a statistical point of view, it is said that it is not significant. Therefore, in this regard, these four variables are introduced as distinguishing characteristics between these two erosion forms among marly units existing at the provincial level in this study.
Conclusion
The erosion forms present in the marls of Zanjan province include raindrop erosion, surface erosion, furrow erosion, ditch erosion, tunnel erosion, thousand-valley erosion, and mass erosion. However, since the environmental and physicochemical conditions required for the creation and development of erosion forms are different, the erosion forms present in these marl units are not uniform in terms of both the type of erosion form and the extent and frequency. In terms of frequency and extent, the dominant erosion forms in them are surface or sheet erosion, furrow erosion, and channel erosion. Of course, ditch and mass erosion also have a significant frequency and spread in most of the marl units studied. An examination of the differences and changes in the physicochemical properties of the marly working units at two depths of 0-10 and 0-30 cm using the t-test method showed that the marly working units at the above two depths had a high correlation coefficient in most of the physicochemical variables and had significant differences in the variables silt, cation exchange capacity (C.E.C), organic matter percentage (O.C), neutralizable matter percentage (lime percentage) (TNV), dissolved sodium content (NaSol), sodium absorption ratio (SAR), chlorine content (Cl), sulfate (So4), and liquid limit (LL). Based on the results obtained from the T-test, analysis of variance using the F-test and comparison of means using the Duncan method, the physicochemical characteristics of the surface and groove erosion forms of marly units were recorded and studied among 22 physicochemical variables. Of these erosion forms, the variables of organic matter percentage (OC), sodium absorption ratio (SAR), liquid limit (LL) and plasticity index (PI) had significant differences in both surface and groove erosion types, and it is possible to distinguish between these two erosion forms based on them. Therefore, in this regard, these four variables are introduced as distinguishing characteristics between these two erosion forms among the marly units existing in Zanjan province in this study.

Keywords

Main Subjects

References

References
Abdinejad, P., Pirvan, HR., Mousavi, J. and Heydari, A., 2017. Final-Special Report, Investigation of Physical, Mechanical and Chemical Properties of Marls in Zanjan Province and Its Relationship with Erosion Type, Tehran: Soil Conservation and Watershed Management Research Institute, Registration No. 51966, 2017
Abdinejad, P., Feiznia, S. and Peyrowan, H.R., 2011. Study of characterization, mechanical erodible marl formations Zanjan. Final Report of Zanjan Agricultural and Natural Resources Research Center, 92 p. (In Persian).
Ahmadi, H., 1999. Applied Geomorphology Vol. 1 (Water Erosion). Second Edition. Tehran University Press.
Ahmadi, H., 2008. Applied Geomorphology, Volume 1, Water erosion, Tehran University Publications.
Aksoy, H., Unal, N.E., Cokgor, S., Gedikli, A., Yoon, J., Koca, K., Inci, S.B., Eris, E. and Pak, G., 2013. Laboratory experiments of sediment transport from a bare soil with rill.Hydrol. Sci. J. v. 58(7), p. 1505-1518.
Benito G., Gutierrez, M. and Zaragoza, Cs., 1993. The influence of physicochemical properties on erosion process in badland areas, Ebro Basin NE-Spain Geomorph. NF. v. 37.2.199.214.
Bouma, N.A. and Imeson, A.C., 2000, Investigation of relationships between measured field indicators and erosion processes on badland surfaces at Petrer, Spain. Journal of Catena, v. 40, p. 147-171.
Bybordi, M., 2001. Soil physics. Tehran University Press, 671 pages (In Persian).
Esmaeil Nejad, L., Ramezanpour, H. and Seyed Mohammadi, J., 2015. The development of different types of erosion due to changes in soil physical properties and clay mineral types in marl lands in southern Guilan Province. Watershed Engineering and Management, v. 7(4), p. 523-535. https://www.sid.ir /fa/journal/ViewPaper.aspx?id= 358570
Esmaeil Nejad, L., Seyed Mohammadi Marsht, J. and Shaban Pourshahrestani, M., 2013. The effect of chemical and mineralogical properties of marls on different forms of erosion in southern Guilan Province. Watershed Management Research (Research and Construction), v. 26(1 (98th series), p. 2-14.
Gallart, F., Pérez Gallego, N., Latron, J., Catari, G., Martmez Carreras, N. and Nord, G., 2013. Short and long-term studies of sediment dynamics in a small humid mountain Mediterranean basin with badlands. Geomorphology, v. 196, p. 242-251.
Ghadimi Arous Mahalle, F., Pourmatin, A. and Ghodousi, J., 1999. The effect of physical and chemical properties of marls on creating erosion potential forms. The First Conference on Geology and Environment of Iran. October 19, 1999, Tehran, Iranian Society of Engineering Geology and Iranian Society of Engineering Geology, p. 919-929.
Ghasemi Dehnavi, A., Sarikhani, R., Shoaei, Z. and Karimi Khalidi, M., 2015. Investigation of Physical and Chemical Properties of Neogene Marls on Erosion Forms and Intensity in the Varamin Region, Southeast of Tehran Province. Bi-Quarterly Journal of Applied Sedimentology, v. 3(6), p. 57-69.
Ghavami, Sh., 1980. Studying the relationship between geomorphology and erosion in the Miocene Formation of Taleghan Basin. Faculty of Natural Resources, Karaj, Master's thesis in watershed management.
Ghodosi, F. and Pourmatin, J., 1999. The effect of physical and chemical properties of marls on creating erosion potential forms. First Iranian Geology and Environment Conference. p. 929-919.
Ghodosi, J., Sepehriyan, M., Ghadimi Arous Mahalle, F. and Pourmatin, A., 1997. Identification and classification of marls and mudstones in the watershed. Tehran Soil Conservation and Watershed Management Research Institute.
Hamid Zadeh, S., 2002. Marl soils and different types of erosion in Iran. 17th WCSS, 14-21
August 2002, Thailand, 2 paper No, sym. v. 37. P.N. 2235, p. 1-8.
Hassanzadeh Nafouti, M., Feiznia, S., Ghayoumian, J., Ahmadi, H., Pirovan, H. (2006). Investigating the effective properties on marl erodibility - case study of Ivanki watershed (brine water). PhD thesis in watershed management. Islamic Azad University - Science and Research Branch.
Heshmati, M., 1996. Physical-chemical properties. Erosibility and sediment production of Pabdeh, Gachsaran and Aghajari formations in Qasr-e Shirin region. Master's thesis in watershed management. University of Tehran.
Hosseini, M.S., Mosaedi, H., Naseri, K. and Golkarian, A., 2012. Identification of the most effective elements on rill erosion in the hill slope units of Mashhad south west, Iran. Geog. Envioron. Hazards. v. 2, p. 87-99 (In Persian).
Imeson, A.C., 1982. The relationship of soil physical and chemical properties to the development of badlands in morocco. Badland geomorphology and piping. Bryan & yair (eds.), p. 47-57.
Katharina, J.A., 2008. Badlands in marl lithologies: A field guide to soil dispersion, subsurface erosion and piping-origin gullies. Catena, v. 04-005.
Mirzazadeh, S., Karimpour Reyhan, M. and Espahbod, M., 1391. Sedimentology and determination of erodibility indices of marls of the Upper Red Formation in the Ivanki region. Quarterly Journal of Environmental Geology, v. 6(19), p. 65-80.
Moreno, M., 2016. Lithology controls the regional distribution and morphological diversity of montane Mediterranean badlands in the upper Llobregat basin (eastern Pyrenees), v. 273, p. 107-115.
Names, A., Rawls, J. and Yakov, A., 2005. Influence of organic matter on the estimation of saturated hydraulic conductivity.Soil Science Society American Journal, v. 69, p. 1330-1337.
Pourheydari, S., Ahmadi, H., Moeini, A., Feiznia, S. and Jafari, M., 2019. Investigating the effect of physical and chemical properties of marls on the rate and forms of their erosion, case study: Aun Ibn Ali Basin (Sorkhab Tabriz), Quarterly Journal of Rangeland and Watershed Management, 73rd year, v. 3, p. 487-473.
Rainfall. Iranian Journal of Engineering Geology Society, v. 1387(1), p. 35-48 (In Persian).
Rezaei, K., 2016. Study of effects of physical and chemical properties of marls on erosion and sediment production of them using rainfall simulator in Lotshour-Pakdasht area. jsaeh.; v. 3(3), p. 21-40 URL: http://jsaeh.khu.ac.ir/article-1-2618-fa.html
Rezaei, K., 2016. The effect of physical and chemical properties of marl sediments on their erosion and sedimentation using a rain simulator in the Latshor Pakdasht region. Spatial analysis of environmental hazards. 2016; v. 3(3), p. 21-40
Rezaei, K., 2016. The effect of physicochemical properties of marls on their erodibility using a rain simulator in the Nobaran region, Saveh, Quantitative Geomorphology Research, 5th year, Winter 2016, v. 3 (serial 19).
Rienks, S.M., Botha, G.A. and Hughes, J.C., 2000. Some Physical and Chemical properties of Sediments Exposed in a Gully (Donga) in Northern KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa and their Relationship to the Erodibility of the colluvial Layers. Catena, v. 39, p. ll-31.
Salmasi, R. and Ahmadi, A., 2012. The relationship between soil characteristics of marls and different forms of erosion in the Talkhe Rud watershed. Geography and Environmental Sustainability (Geographical Research Journal), v. 2(3), p. 11-23. https://www.sid.ir/fa/journal/ViewPaper.aspx?id=199317
Santis, F., Giannossi, M.L., Medici, L., Summa, V. and Tateo, F., 2010. Impact of physicochemical soil properties on erosion features in the Aliano area (Southern Italy) Catena 81(2), p. 172-181.
Suzanne, V. et al, 1999. Some physical and chemical properties of sediments exposed in gully in northern Kwazulu-Natal, South Africa, Hughes University of  Natal.Soil Science, v. 155, p. 45-50.
Thomas, M., Hill, S.M., Spry, M.J., Chen, X.Y., Mount, T.J. and Sheldon, F., 2004. The geomorphology of the Barwon-Darling Basin. In: Breckwoldt, R., Boden, R. & Andrew J., The Darling. Murray-Darling Basin Commission, p. 68-103.
Thornes, I.B., 1980. Erosional processes of running water and their spatial and temporal controls, a theoretical viewpoint, in: M.J. Kirkby and R. P. C. Morgan (Editors), Soil erosion, Wiley, p. 120-128.
Vacher, C.A., Raine, S.R. and Loch, R.J., 2004. Testing procedures to characterize tunneling risk on soil materials. 13th International Soil Conservation Organization Conference- Brisbane. July 2004 (ISCO).
Vacher, C.A., Raine, S.R. and Loch, R.J., 2004. Testing procedures to characterize tunneling risk on soil materials. 13th International Soil Conservation Organization Conference- Brisbane. July 2004 (ISCO).
Vaezi, A., Gharehdaghli, H. and Marzvan, S., 2016. Investigating the role of slope and soil characteristics in causing rill erosion on slopes (Case study: Tahamchay watershed, northwest of Zanjan), Journal of Soil and Water Conservation Research, v. 23(4), p. 100-83. Doi: 10.22069/jwfst.2016.8978.2280
Vaezi, A.R. and Gharehdaghlli, H., 2013. Quantification of rill erosion development in marl soils of Zanjan Roud watershed in North West of Zanjan. Iran. J. Water Soil., v.  27, p. 872-881 (In Persian).
Vatani, A. and Vaezi, A.R., 2014. Soil loss in rill and temporal variation during rainfall in different soil textures. Water and Soil Science, v. 24(3), p. 83-92 (In Persian).
Wang, L., Yan, M., Zhang, Q. and Zhikaun, J., 2012. Effects of vegetation restoration on soil physical properties in the wind–water erosion region of the northern loess Plateau of China. Soil, Air and Water, v. 40(1), p. 7-15.
Wichmeier, W.H., Johnson, C.B. and Cross, B.V., 1971. A Soil erodibility nomograph for
farmland and construction sites, J . Soil and Water Conser, v. 26, 189-193.
 
 

Files

Share

How to cite

Statistics