Gorokhova I.N., Chursin I.N. RELATIONSHIP OF THE SPOTTED PATTERN OF IRRIGATED SOILS WITH THE CONTENT OF CARBONATES IN THE CASPIAN LOWLAND (VOLGOGRAD REGION) // Arid ecosystems. 2021. V. 27. № 2 (87). P. 90-97 | PDF

On example of Duboovrazhny irrigated area in Volgograd region the distribution and content of carbonates (CaCO3) in the upper horizons of the irrigated soils of the Caspian lowland (The Sarpa hollow region). 85-90s of the last century were the peak of irrigation in Duboovrazny area. Fodder crops were cultivated here, irrigation was carried out by sprinkling, the groundwater level remained satisfactory, and there were no secondary soil salinization centers. The area currently consists of private farm. Melon and vegetable crops are grown here using drip irrigation, in 2015-2016 winter crops cultivated with water-charging irrigation. The groundwater level remains satisfactory, secondary salinization occurs in some soil horizons. It was revealed, that part of irrigated fields has a spotted pattern, which stands out on satellite images and in field conditions under winter crops. It was found that the cause of the spotted image is not related to soil salinity, but is caused by the different content of carbonates in the surface soil layer. The idea of the work is to use remote sensing data and ground field survey, crossing areas with different spotting and spectral brightness in the images. This made it possible to identify soils with different carbonate contents in the arable soil horizon, which is extremely important for their irrigation and restoration.

Keywords: Field spotted pattern, satellite images, soils carbonate content.

DOI: 10.24411/1993-3916-2021-10154