In order to implement this research soil profiles selected on a toposequence
were systematically collected from different geohorizons. Results indicated that
topographical factors played important roles in determining some soil features
such as th
e depth, texture distribution of CaCO3 and the fertility matter. The
study showed that the soil content of minor element was ranged between
moderate to low, and this may be related to the mineralogical composition of
the parent rock and weathering status and to the use of these elements by the
plants uptake during the long lasting exploitation. The results also indicated
that the decrease of these elements was consistent with the decrease of
elevation, such as heading from the slop to the plain. This probably also due to
the relation between the leaching process and topographical position and to a
less extend to the pH of the soil.
This study was achieved to identify some characteristics of clay minerals of
soils in the southern of region (provinces of Daraa, Sweida). Several soils
profiles were selected, forming a toposequence, including the western slope of
Jabal Al Arab a
nd part of Huran plateau which rise about 500-1200m a.s.L.
and rainfall between 250-350mm. These soils usually are planted with rainfed
crops and some trees. Three samples were collected from each profile at depth
0-25 cm, 25-50cm and 50-100cm in order to determine some physical and
chemical of soli characteristics and x-ray and Differential Thermal Analysis
(DTA) were applied to determine the mineralogical composition of clay
minerals. Results indicated that the soils had an clayey texture (37.9 % in Tafas
Dr2 to 67.5% in Tal al Haded SW2), rather high CEC (35-49.4) meq /100g soil,
neutral pH in Sahwa blata SW1 soil (7.1) to slightly alkaline pH (8) in other
soils, low content of organic matter (1)%. CaCO3 ranged of (3.16)% in Sahwa
blata SW1 soil to (25.35)% in Tafas Dr2. Cacium was the dominant cation on
the exchange complex (33.11mq/100g) in TafasDr2, and followed by magnesium
(13.99 mq/100g) in Tal al Haded SW2. Mineralogical analsis by x-ray and DTA
showed the presence of three main clay minerals, Smectites (montmurillonite),
Kaolinite and Mica (probablly illite).
To carry out this study, 12 soil profiles were selected and prepared, and soil
samples were collected from the different horizons (surface, subsurface, and C
horizon) in each profile. The results of the analyzed samples indicate that,
topographica
l factors plays an important role in determining some feature,
such as, the depth of the profile, texture, distribution of CaCO3 and the process
of swelling and the shrinking. Concerning the soil fertility, the study showed
that the soil content of microelements is ranging between moderate to low, thus
may be related to the mineralogical composition of the parent material,
weathering status, and to the use of these elements by the plants during the long
lasting exploitation of these soil without any restitution of these element. The
results indicate as well, the decrease of these elements with decreasing
elevation, i.e from the slop to the plain, this probably due to the relation
between the leaching process and topographical position, and to lesser extend to
the (pH) of the soil.
The objective of this research to study the chemical composition and microbial load
for some types of pies by performing various chemical and microbial analysis of samples
collected, from different parts of the Syrian coast which are famous for its
production.
This study showed a large variation in the chemical composition of samples by type
of the pastry and place brought from, for example, the proportion of dry matter for peppers
and chard pies collected from Banias was, 75.71% and 44.90%, respectively, and the
percentage of dry matter was 73.88% and 76.18% and the proportion of protein was,
17.76% and 24 .88% for cheese pies collected from Tartous and Latakia 1, respectively.
This study indicated that all the pies contain a high percentage of fat [the lowest in chard
pies (17.64%) and the highest in cheese pies (38.12%)]. Furthermore a high percentage of
sodium was found (the highest in cheese pies 15.31 mg / 100 g and lowest in pepper pies
7.82 mg / 100 g).
The study also showed that these meals meet international standards in terms of
content of lead, cadmium, Nevertheless they are poor in fiber content except for chard pies
which were the most balanced in terms of components, making it the best type of pies in
nutritional aspect.
Finally, the results showed that the microbial load was too high, as the total census of
bacteria was higher than 105 and the total census of yeasts and fungi was higher than 102.
In addition, all pies are not conformed to the Syrian legislation. The study also showed
absence of E.coli and St. aureus of all samples.