Residual Sodium Carbonate in Soil and Irrigation Water in Elsaggai Agricultural Scheme

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine the Residual Sodium Carbonate value for evaluating irrigation water quality and soil characteristics in Elsaggai agricultural Scheme at Khartoum North (Sudan). pH value and electrical conductivity were measured for irrigation water samples, (EC) of water sample was between (250-1090) μs/cm. Nile water pH was slightly alkaline (7.20-7.50). Sulfate and nitrate ions concentrations were determined by UV-VIS spectrometry, the concentrations of sulfate were somewhat high in water and soil samples the mean values were (135.5,1320.23 mg/l) respectively, Chloride ions content and total alkalinity were determined titrametrically, for water and soil samples, have been relatively low in water and soil samples the mean value of Cl- ( 2.67, 3.09) mg/l respectively and the concentrations of total alkalinity were relatively high (121.09 - 399.69) mg/l in water sample but in soil sample the concentrations were relatively in the same range (121.80-136.10) mg/l. Inductively coupled plasma analysis was carried for investigation of the major elemental contents of irrigation water and soil samples, while for concentration of (Na, Ca, Mg, K and P) were found in the mean value (10.87, 20.44, 10.87, 2.76 and 0.452)mg/l and (48.49, 10.87, 80.03, 122.08, and 229.76), for water and soil sample respectively The obtained concentrations of micronutrients and toxic minerals generally were of low concentration. The total alkalinity( 96.87,399.693)mg/l calcium (56.66.76.15)mg/l and magnesium (26.341,44.83)mg/l concentrations were used to calculate the residual sodium carbonate value(1.44 ,-6.72) in water and soil sample The results show, that, the irrigation water quality and soil characteristics were within the permissible range.