Effect of Distances from Different Trees Species on the Properties of Mollic Horizon

The study area is located in Duhok province-Kurdistan region-Northern Iraq and including two locations the first location is situated in Galbook village and the vegetation cover is trees of （Quercus aegilops L.）, the second location is situated in Koradeer village that covered with threes of Prunus dulcis （Mill.） Webb.. Disturbed surface soil samples at depth 0-30 cm were collected at four different distances （1, 5, 10 and 15 m） from the tree with randomized selection three trees in each study location. Soil organic matter decreases with increasing distances from tree in both locations under two different trees species, which is attributed to the effect of tree crown. Ordinarily, organic matter content in both locations correspond to the requirements of Mollisols. Statistical analysis of data showed significant differences in organic matter content between locations. Cation exchange capacity is high under tree crown and decreasing with distances from tree in both locations, as a result of decreasing organic matter and increasing calcium carbonate with distances. Commonly soil pH is slightly increased with increasing distances from tree because of increasing calcium carbonate with distances and decreasing organic matter content. Calcium was not uniform with distances and Mg decreasing with distances in both locations. The values of fine clay/coarse clay and fine clay/total clay of soil samples confirm development of the soils under study. Porosity percentage under tree crown is high and decreasing with distances. Soil bulk density was increased with distances in both locations, as a result of decreasing organic matter content with distances. This study aims to explain the effect of tree distances and species on the mollic horizon properties.     

Study the Physical,Chemical, Mineralogical,and Geo-technical Properties of Soils Used in Pottery Industries,Kurdistan-lraq

The study area is located in Duhok and Sulaimania province in Kurdistan region, lraq. Study soils developed from parent material that has derived from limestone. Randomize, composed and disturbed surface soil samples were collected. The bulk soils were air dried, crushed and passed through 2 mm sieve. Standard methods were used for chemical, physical, geotechnical and mineralogical analyses of soil samples. The results indicated that the study soils texture were clay to loam clay, this texture was considered as suitable for ceramic and pottery industries as a result of increasing clay contents that ranged between 301 g/kg and 676 g/kg. Soil consistence depending on geotechnical properties increased the ability of study soils for resistance rapture and deformation. Existence the high amount of cementing agents in study soils such as organic matter, iron oxides and particularly total carbonate （247.2-308.8 g/kg） act to reduce the bad effect of the smectite minerals group （high shrinkage） in soils of study locations through increasing the resistance of these soils for rupture and deformation. The existing of Kaolinite, palygorskite and chlorite allows clay to be dried in ceramic and pottery industries without cracking from shrinkage. Study soils were different in their colors as a result of existence, different pigmentation materials that led to coloring soils with different colors in turn caused coloring of pottery and ceramic materials. Since, there are no available academic studies or researches about this subject in Kurdistan region in addition the clay pottery and ceramic sector still has a good market at the same time using this type of soils for arts, therefore, this study was conducted.