Mapping of the Physical and Chemical Properties of the Soils of Bashiqa District, Nineveh Governorate

This study is a representation of the physical and chemical properties of the soils in the Bashiqa district, northeast of Nineveh Governorate. Geographically, the study area is located between latitudes (36°20'47-35°36'54) north and longitudes (43°10'55-43°32'42) east, with an estimated area of about 511.40 km². (23) samples distributed throughout the study area are collected to conduct field and laboratory tests, including the physical and chemical properties of the soil (color, texture, moisture, density, porosity, pH reaction degree, and salinity EC). The results of the laboratory work have been analyzed, and maps of the variables in the studied sites have been drawn, relying on the obtained data required for map representation. It is found that the soils vary in terms of color, which represents the color changes of the minerals present in the region. It is also shown that the worthiest soil texture in the region is mixed one, and that the quantity and quality of moisture, porosity, and density differ from one region to another according to several variables such as climate (rain, temperature, and wind), the compositional characteristics of each region, and soil formation factors. These variables also affect the degree of interaction between pH and salinity EC.