An initial study of pedogenic features along a transect across longitudinal dunes and interdune areas. Nizzana region, Negev, Israel

The Nizzana sand fields, part of the western Negev desert, are characterized by longitudinal dunes separated by wide interdune corridors. The soils were studied along a transect running across the dunes. Drilling and trenches were dug in order to characterize three main soil environments. Data show a weak pedogenic alteration of the sandy sites, and a high irregularity in all pedologic parameters below the playa surfaces where alternating loamy and sandy-silty layers are found. The properties of the alternating layers are related more to the original properties and characteristics of the sediments than to pedogenic processes. The soils are best classified as Arenosols, in the sandy areas, together with some Solonchaks and Calcisols in the silty-clayey units. -from Authors