Page 1 of 15
European Journal of Applied Sciences – Vol. 11, No. 1
Publication Date: January 25, 2023
DOI:10.14738/aivp.111.13927. Hamed, A. M. E., Abdelwahab, M. H., Osman, E. M. H., & Mohammed, W. A. M. (2023). Assessment and Mapping of Salt- Affected
Soils Using Biophysical Soil Indicators, Remote Sensing and GIS Analysis in Wadi Elgaab Area Northern State, Sudan. European
Journal of Applied Sciences, Vol - 11(1). 354-368.
Services for Science and Education – United Kingdom
Assessment and Mapping of Salt- Affected Soils Using
Biophysical Soil Indicators, Remote Sensing and GIS
Analysis in Wadi Elgaab Area Northern State, Sudan
Abass Mohamed El Hag Hamed
Associate Professor, Basic Science Department,
Faculty of Natural Resources, University of Bahri, Khartoum North (Al-Kadaro), Sudan
Motasim Hyder Abdelwahab
Associate Professor, Department of Arid Land and Desert Agriculture,
Faculty of Agriculture, Omdurman Islamic University, Omdurman, Sudan.
El Mamoun Haroun Osman
Associate Professor, forest Department,
College of Natural Resources and environmental studies,
University of Bahri, Khartoum North (Al-Kadaro), Sudan.
Wael Awad Marajan Mohammed
Assistance Professor, Department: Soil and Water Science,
College of Agriculture, University of Bahri, Khartoum North (Al-Kadaro), Sudan.
ABSTRACT
Salt-affected soils is a prime indicator of land degradation (LD). Thus, this study was
conducted to assess, and mapping of salt-affected soils, evaluating the land suitability
for irrigated agriculture and updating information through soil, remote sensing and
geographical information system analysis techniques in the study area. By
estimating and monitoring some soil properties namely, soil salinity, sodicity and
alkalinity, due to drought and LD process. The soil survey was carried for the project
area (31105 feddans). This study depends on extracted data and information from
soil survey, soil analysis (SA), and remote sensed (RS), in addition to fieldwork
(observation points) in the study area. SA and RS data indicated that LD was taken
place in the study area particularly in the western, southwestern and northwestern
parts of the area which were affected by salinity, sodicity and alkalinity. The study
showed the study area was highly eroded by wind. According to the framework of
the land suitability (FAO, 1990 and 2006), soil properties and degradation hazard,
were estimated. The results showed that the soil of the study area is moderately
suitable (S2), marginally suitable lands (S3), currently unsuitable land (N1) and
unsuitable land for irrigated agriculture (N2), for 15200 feddans, 2580 feddans,
11035 feddans and 2436 feddans respectively.
Keyword: Salt- affected soils, Land evaluations, Land degradations, Remote Sensing and
Mapping.
Page 2 of 15
355
Hamed, A. M. E., Abdelwahab, M. H., Osman, E. M. H., & Mohammed, W. A. M. (2023). Assessment and Mapping of Salt- Affected Soils Using
Biophysical Soil Indicators, Remote Sensing and GIS Analysis in Wadi Elgaab Area Northern State, Sudan. European Journal of Applied Sciences, Vol
- 11(1). 354-368.
URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.14738/aivp.111.13927
INTRODUCTION
Soil salinization is predominant desertification process in the Northern State, this process is
widely spread and have adverse impact on reduction the productive capacity of all agricultural
lands. Salt- affected soils are covers vast areas at latitudes 14-22o N, including some states
namely, the White Nile, North Gezira, Khartoum, crossing the River Nile and the Northern
states, falling under three soil orders: Vertisols, Aridisols and Entisols (USDA, 1999). About
250,000 hectares in northern Sudan were affected to varying degrees by salinity and sodicity
(Mustafa, 1986). Salt-affected soils in Sudan are dominated by arid and semi-arid climatic zones
that favor the formation of salt-affected soils. In general, salt-affected soils in Sudan have a
relatively low status of nutrient and organic nitrogen. Sodicity represents the relative
predominance of exchangeable sodium compared to other exchangeable cations, chiefly
calcium, magnesium, potassium, hydrogen and aluminum and is expressed as ESP
(Exchangeable Sodium Percentage). The sodium adsorption ratio (SAR) is another expression
of sodicity that refers to the ratio of adsorbed sodium and the sum of calcium and magnesium.
Soil salinity refers to the content of water-soluble salts in the soil and expressed mostly as ECe
(electrical conductivity of paste extract) and is measured as dS m−1 (Charman and Murphy,
2000). The inter-relation of all these soil parameters is important for the interpretation of their
measures (Van de Graaff and Patterson, 2001).
Several research has been conducted in Sudan e.g., (Mustafa and Hamid, 1977; Elmahi and
Mustafa, 1980; Malik et. al., 1992; Awad Elkarim et. al.,1995).
The effect of salts on the physiochemical properties of soil was studied by several researchers
(Mohammed and Mustafa, 2001; Ishaq and Mustafa, 2005; Saeed and Aissa, 2002; Mustafa and
Abdelmajid, 1981, 1982; Dahab, et al. 1988). Many research studies were undertaken to
evaluate the impact of Farmyard Manure (FYM) and chemical fertilizers on some crop
production (Alaagib, 1999; Alaagib, 2003; Alaagib and Babiker, 2004; Alkhazin and Khalid,
2013; Elmahi et. al., 2002).
Abdelwahab (2022). Wrote a concise review on research salt- affected soils and wind erosion
in Sudan beside that he gave casting new light on their constrains and gaps. Repeated cycles of
water use they will result in irrigated areas in which soil- and waterborne salts are
accumulating during repeated cycles of water use. Secondary salinization may be caused by
irrigation with water from the Blue Nile, White Nile and River Nile to non-saline soils could
easily be altered into salt- affected soils (Abdalla 1986; Mustafa 1986). These problems will
become more serious as increasing population leads to more intensive use of land and water,
and as presently unused or marginally used resources are pressed into service. The entire
physical and biological systems involved in saline agriculture must be understood and carefully
managed if increased production is to be achieved without exacerbating the existing problems.
Combating salinization and sodication through protection and reclamation of salt-affected soils
is indispensible for meeting future food security. Basic research on assessment and mapping of
salt-affected soils is an essential prerequisite for discovering practical methods for combating
salinization troubles, advancing biological productivity and determine the inherent risk in the
affected areas, they will result in sustainable development of both plant and animal sectors. the
present study was undertaken to achieve the following objectives:
Page 3 of 15
Services for Science and Education – United Kingdom 356
European Journal of Applied Sciences (EJAS) Vol. 11, Issue 1, January-2023
1. To generate comprehensive quantitative data on land degradation that may help in
soil reclamation projects in study area.
2. Assessing and Mapping of land degradation hazard through biophysical soil
indicators, remote sensing and geographical information system analysis in the
study area.
3. Using the framework of the land suitability (FAO, 1990 and 2006) in order to
evaluate and determine the soil suitability in the study area.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Materials
Study Area:
The Northern State lies in the desert ecological zone (75–300 mm) between 17 ̊ 45 - 19 ̊ 15’ N
and longitude 30 ̊ 15’-32 ̊ 00’ E, the area of the State is approximately 348697km2 and is
severely affected by desertification processes in general and salt-affected soils in particular. In
general, the climate in the State described as desert with two seasons, a hot summer from April
to September and cold winter from October to March. Salt-affected soils adversely affects the
productive capacity of the arable lands in the State by reducing their fertility (Drenge et.
al.,1991; Mustafa 2007). The highest mean maximum, absolute maximum, the mean minimum
and absolute minimum temperatures recorded are 43.1 ̊C, 49 ̊C, 8.3 ̊C and 1oC respectively. The
average total annual rainfalls are 3, 18 and 37.7mm in Wadi Halfa, Dongolla and Karima
respectively. Rainfall is very low falling in August that reflected in limited rain fed agriculture
as well as shallow ground water. The rain increases from north to south (Abuzie, 2009). Wadi
Elgaab area project is an agricultural investment proposed of social security investment located
17 Km north-west Orby and 34 Km south–west Dongola covers an area of 31105 faddens (15
Km west to Dongola–Omdurman Street). The area is approximately bounded by longitudes and
latitudes given below, table (1) and Figure (1).
Table (1): shows longitudes & latitudes bounded the project area
Point Longitude (X) Latitude (Y)
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
221090
213160
212895
209911
208848
202769
203025
209850
213090
221090
2280241
2079743
2089012
2088969
2085303
2085234
2079175
2079098
2025160
2073091