Texture contrast soils (TCS) as indicators of eolian dust inputs in the coastal area of west central Senegal, West Africa

Authors : Aïdara C. A. Lamine FALL

Pages : 264-274

Doi:10.18393/ejss.736460

View : 13 | Download : 7

Publication Date : 2020-07-01

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :Different hypotheses have been addressed to explain the origin of texture contrast soils insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(TCS); in coastal regions. Our study investigates the TCS in the coastal region of west central Senegal, West Africa, in order to appreciate the influence of eolian dust inputs on their formation and characteristics. Nine soil profiles, from a levee to backswamp toposequence, three on each landscape position; floodplain, low terrace and middle terrace, were investigated. Soil profiles were described according to the World Reference Base. Particle-size analysis was performed by wet-sieving for the sand fraction and pipette analysis for the silt and clay fractions. Elements were determined in finely powdered soil mixed with cellulose in a ratio of 2:1. In this work, we focused principally on elemental zircon insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(Zr); and Titan insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(Ti);. Our results show the presence of TCS in the coastal area of west central Senegal. We attribute the formation of these TCS to mainly two different sources of soil material: marine and continental. Marine sediments build the floodplain profiles and the subsoil of low terrace profiles, while the colluvial material derived from continental uplands form the middle terrace profiles and the topsoil of low terrace profiles. The main finding remains the influence of eolian dust inputs on the formation of TCS in this coastal area. Evidence of dust addition was confirmed by the uniformity of soil parent material tested through mS/insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(cU+mU); and Ti/Zr ratios. Such knowledge enhances understanding of local pedogenesis and may help develop sustainable soil management strategies.
Keywords : Eolian dust inputs, Senegal, texture contrast soil, West Africa