Distribution of sizes particlesgypsum in some gypsum soils in the Middle Euphrates region

Abstract

Abstract :The study was conducted to identify particle size distribution of gypsum and soil mineral particles ( sand , silt and clay ). Also , to study the effect of gypsum content of gypsuferous soils dominated in the Middle Euphrates Region. Threegovernorates including Babil, Al-Najaf, and Diwaniyah containing gypseferous soils were selected in the middle of Iraq. Six pedons ( two pedons within each Governorate ) were morphologically described and soil samples were taken forphysical and chemical analysis. The results indicated that most of gypsum particles are within sand size particle and less amount are within silt size particles. No gypsum within clay size was found .The percentages for gypsum particle size are 64.45 % , 45.02 % ,51.88 ,52.40% ,and 48.73 % for very coarse sand ,coarse sand ,medium coarse sand ,fine sand and very fine sand respectively. While , low amount was found within silt size (28.46 %) and no amount of gypsum was found within clay size `