ABSTRACT
Kharga Oases is located in the western desert of Egypt. El-Monera,
Al-shirka, Kharga, Nasser Al-thawra, Jinnah, East Bulaq were selected as
case studies. The purpose of current research is to assess the land capability
and the suitability of annual, semi-annual and perennial crops for
agriculture. In addition, evaluate the contamination by heavy metals of the
soil, the crops and the irrigation water. The obtained data indicate that the
main land geomorphic units were Pedilpain, Sand sheets, and Playa.
According to two land evaluation systems applied for evaluating the studied
soils; Sys and Verhey and Land evaluation decision support system
(MicroLEIS-DSS). The results indicated that Kharga Oases soils belong to
class marginally suitable (S3) and currently not suitable (N1). While land
capability classes using the CERVATANA model are marginally suitable
(S3 I). The area under investigation has been divided into two relative
suitability classes; suitable (S2 class) and marginally suitable (S3 class). The
main limitations were useful depth, texture, drainage, salinity, carbonate,
and sodium saturation. Correcting those factors will improve the land
capability and suitability for productivity. The accumulation of heavy
metals, such as Cr, Cu, Zn, Ni, Pb, and Cd, in soils, irrigation water, and
commonly grown crop plants (wheat, faba bean, and quinoa), was studied in
fields that represented major geomorphological units. Irrigation water at
various locations was slightly saline, with no sodium hazard. Deep-water
wells in New Valley, there is an increase of the two elements of iron and
manganese, and take into account when using modern irrigation systems.
The findings also revealed that heavy metal levels in irrigation water were
within the acceptable range. The total content of Cr, Cu, Zn, Ni, Pb, and Cd
in top soil samples was higher than in subsoil samples, indicating an
anthropogenic source of contamination. The main total and extractable
Egypt. J. of Appl. Sci., 36 (7-8) 2021 239-264
heavy metals, on the other hand, showed low contamination levels in the soil
and within international limits except total Cd metal in Bulaq village in the
surface layer (0 –30 cm) 5.3 mg/kg. All the total heavy metals in the plants
in the studied soils within international limits except Ni and Cd metals in
some layers. Translocation factor (TF) and biological accumulation
coefficient (BAC) of all elements in the studied soils were determined. they
are TF and BAC are higher in in roots, stalk and leaves than some fruits
,But other can accumulate some heavy metals by higher degree and can
reached to the food chain directly or in directly.///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
ABSTRACT
Kharga Oases is located in the western desert of Egypt. El-Monera,
Al-shirka, Kharga, Nasser Al-thawra, Jinnah, East Bulaq were selected as
case studies. The purpose of current research is to assess the land capability
and the suitability of annual, semi-annual and perennial crops for
agriculture. In addition, evaluate the contamination by heavy metals of the
soil, the crops and the irrigation water. The obtained data indicate that the
main land geomorphic units were Pedilpain, Sand sheets, and Playa.
According to two land evaluation systems applied for evaluating the studied
soils; Sys and Verhey and Land evaluation decision support system
(MicroLEIS-DSS). The results indicated that Kharga Oases soils belong to
class marginally suitable (S3) and currently not suitable (N1). While land
capability classes using the CERVATANA model are marginally suitable
(S3 I). The area under investigation has been divided into two relative
suitability classes; suitable (S2 class) and marginally suitable (S3 class). The
main limitations were useful depth, texture, drainage, salinity, carbonate,
and sodium saturation. Correcting those factors will improve the land
capability and suitability for productivity. The accumulation of heavy
metals, such as Cr, Cu, Zn, Ni, Pb, and Cd, in soils, irrigation water, and
commonly grown crop plants (wheat, faba bean, and quinoa), was studied in
fields that represented major geomorphological units. Irrigation water at
various locations was slightly saline, with no sodium hazard. Deep-water
wells in New Valley, there is an increase of the two elements of iron and
manganese, and take into account when using modern irrigation systems.
The findings also revealed that heavy metal levels in irrigation water were
within the acceptable range. The total content of Cr, Cu, Zn, Ni, Pb, and Cd
in top soil samples was higher than in subsoil samples, indicating an
anthropogenic source of contamination. The main total and extractable
Egypt. J. of Appl. Sci., 36 (7-8) 2021 239-264
heavy metals, on the other hand, showed low contamination levels in the soil
and within international limits except total Cd metal in Bulaq village in the
surface layer (0 –30 cm) 5.3 mg/kg. All the total heavy metals in the plants
in the studied soils within international limits except Ni and Cd metals in
some layers. Translocation factor (TF) and biological accumulation
coefficient (BAC) of all elements in the studied soils were determined. they
are TF and BAC are higher in in roots, stalk and leaves than some fruits
,But other can accumulate some heavy metals by higher degree and can
reached to the food chain directly or in directly.