Water scarcity has always been one of the most important obstacles in the process of agricultural development in arid and low-rainfall climates. In farming, the water quality also plays an important role; as the poor quality of water can be one of the limiting factors in this sector that in addition to the agricultural problems has also caused soil problems. In this paper, we introduce and study an indigenous method of water conservation and soil protection in the east of Iran termed as “water-colouring” and the role of geomorphologic features of marl hills in one of the rivers located in the southern slopes of the Joghtay Mountain (Kalateh-Sadat Watershed). In this study, field observation, sampling and analysis of water and sediment, physicochemical experiments, SPSS software for statistical analysis and satellite images have been used to produce digital models. Finally, the effects of muddy water and clear water have been compared in terms of chemical quality and productivity of agricultural land. The results show that the method of water-colouring is the best indigenous-economical method for moisture retention and regeneration of the agricultural land soil. Given the statistical reasons and studying the other researches in this field, water-colouring causes change texture and soil composition, fertility of agricultural land and reduce the losses due to evaporation and infiltration.
References
[1]
Vahhabi, J. (2003) Analysis of Systems of Flood Distribution and Introduction of Research Requirements. Journal of Research and Construction in Natural Resources, 16, 22-29.
[2]
Sheikhi, D. (2011) Management of Water and Repair and Maintenance of Buildings in Traditional System of Water Management in Rural Regions (Case Study: Shara Plain in Markazi Province). International Conference of Traditional Knowledge of Water Resources, Yazd.
[3]
Zangane Asadi, M. and Karimidost, A. (2010) The Quantitative Models of Evaluating Water Erosion. Tarbiat Moalem University, Sabzevar.
[4]
Banj Shafiei, S.H. (2010) The Study of the Effect of Polymer Mixture with Fine Sand to Revitalize Desert Soils in Terms of Hydrology to Prevent Erosion. 2nd National Conference on Wind Erosion, The Scientific Association of Management and Control of Desert Regions of Iran, Yazd.
[5]
Javadi, M. (2009) Evaluation of Managerial Measures Applied in Controlling Desert Conditions in Mahan Watershed. 5th National Conference of Iranian Sciences and Engineering in Watershed and Hydrology Affairs, Iranian Association of Watershed and Hydrology, Karaj.
[6]
Yamani, M. and Karami, F. (2010) Dominant Processes in Morphologic Formation and Change of Sand Masses of Khozestan Plain (Case Study: The Gravel of the North of Ahwaz). Journal of Geographical Studies on Arid Regions, 1, 25-42.
[7]
Naderi, F., Karimi, H., Alimoradi, S. and Naseri, B. (2012) Assessment of the Intensity of Wind Erosion in Changoleh Plain in Ilam Province by Empirical Method of IRIFR.E.A. 1st National Conference on Desert, International Research Center of Tehran University.
[8]
Soloki, H., Khameh Cheian, M., Hafezi Moghadas, N. and Alavi Panah, K. (2009) The Study of Wind Erosion in Sistan Plain and Its Effects on Engineering Properties of Soils. Journal of Iranian Geology Association, 2, 13-26.
[9]
Dotterweich, M. (2013) The History of Human-Induced Soil Erosion: Geomorphic Legacies, Early Descriptions and Research, and the Development of Soil Conservation—A Global Synopsis.
[10]
Li, X.Y. (2003) Gravel-Sand Mulch for Soil and Water Conservation in the Semiarid Loess Region of Northwest China. Catena, 52, 105-127.
https://doi.org/10.1016/S0341-8162(02)00181-9
[11]
Benito, G., Gutierrez, M. and Sancho, C. (1991) Erosion Pattern in Rill and Interrill Areas in Badland Zones of the Middle Ebro Basin (NE-Spain). In: Soil Erosion Studies in Spain, 41-54.
[12]
Engelend, G.B. (1971) Runoff Process and Slope Development in Badland National Moment South Dakota. Journal of Hydrology, 18, 55-79.
https://doi.org/10.1016/0022-1694(73)90025-5
[13]
Bufalo, M. and Nahon, D. (1992) Erosional Process and Mediterranean Badlands: A New Erosivity Index for Predicting Sediment Yield from Gully Erosion. Geoderma, 52, 133-147.
https://doi.org/10.1016/0016-7061(92)90079-M
[14]
Bashari, M., Kavoosi, M. and Delfaredi, S. (2012) The Traditional Methods of Obtaining Precipitation Water in Sistan and Baluchistan Province. 1st National Conference on Precipitation Submergible Surface Systems, Mashhad.
[15]
Fallah Rastegar, A., Yoosefi, M. and Hezarkhani, M. (2011) The Role of Traditional and Modern Management of Water in Planning Processes, Construction and Utilization of Irritation and Drainage Systems. International Conference on Indigenous Knowledge of Management of Water Resources, Yazd.
[16]
Mapanda, F., Nyamadzawo, G., Nyamangara, J. and Wuta, M. (2007) Effects of Discharging Acid-Mine Drainage into Evaporation Ponds Lined with Clay on Chemical Quality of the Surrounding Soil and Water. Physics and Chemistry of the Earth, 32, 1366-1375.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pce.2007.07.041
[17]
Bouwer, H., Ludke, J. and CRice, R. (2001) Sealing Pond Bottoms with Muddy Water. Ecological Engineering, 18, 233-238. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0925-8574(01)00071-4
[18]
Amrani Paaza, N.E., Lamas, F., Irigaray, C. and Chacon, J. (1998) Engineering Geological Characterization of Neogene Marls in the South-Eastern Granada Basin, Spain. Engineering Geology, 50, 165-175. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0013-7952(98)00008-8
[19]
Oster, J.D. and Shainberg, I. (2001) Soil Responses to Sodicity and Salinity: Challenges and Opportunities. Australian Journal of Soil Research, 39, 1219-1224.
https://doi.org/10.1071/SR00051
[20]
Halliwell, D.J., Barlow, K.M. and Nash, D.M. (2001) A Review of the Effects of Wastewater Sodium on Soil Physical Properties and Their Implications for Irrigation System. Australian Journal of Soil Research, 39, 1259-1267. https://doi.org/10.1071/SR00047
[21]
Mandal, U.K., Bhardwaj, A.K., Warrington, D.N., Goldstein, D., Bartal, A. and Levy, G.J. (2007) Changes in Soil Hydraulic Conductivity, Runoff, and Soil Loss Due to Irrigation with Different Type of Saline-Sodic Water. Geoderma, 144, 509-516.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geoderma.2008.01.005
[22]
Ajwa, H.A. and Trout, T.J. (2006) Polyacrylamide and Water Quality Effects on Infiltration in Sandy Loam Soils. Soil Science Society of America Journal, 70, 643-650.
https://doi.org/10.2136/sssaj2005.0079
[23]
Schleiss, A.J., De Cesare, G. and Althaus, J.J. (2008) Reservoir Sedimentation and Sustainable Development. International Conference on Erosion, Transport and Deposition of Sediments, Lausanne, 23-28.
[24]
Whitworth, T.M. and Ghazifard, A. (2009) Membrane Effects in Clay-Lined inward Gradient Landfills. Applied Clay Science, 43, 248-252. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clay.2008.07.026
[25]
Tekwa, I.J., Belel, M.D. and Alhassan, A.B. (2010) The Effective of Indigenous Soil Conservation Techniques on Sustainable Crop Production. Australian Journal of Agricultural Engineering, 1, 74-79.
[26]
Mushir, A. and Kedru, S. (2012) Soil and Water Conservation Management through Indigenous and Traditional Practices in Ethiopia: A Case Study. Ethiopian Journal of Environmental Studies and Management, 5, 343-355.
[27]
Abedini, A. and khani, M. (2011) The Study of the Role of Making Muddy the Water of Baladeh Aqueduct in Preventing Water Loss and Its Effects on the Quality of Soil, Water and Agricultural Products. International Conference on Traditional Knowledge on Management of Water Resources, Yazd.
[28]
Mahdavi, M. (2007) Applied Hydrology. Vol. 2, 6th Edition, Tehran University, Tehran.
[29]
Alizadeh, A. (2013) The Principles of Applied Hydrology. 36th Edition, Imam Reza (AS) University, Mashhad.
