The relationship between geological structures and the distribution of saline soil in downstream impacted area of Ubonratana Dam, Khon Kaen province

Abstract

The study of soil salinity distribution in downstream impacted areas of Ubonratana dam aims to correlate between corresponding subsurface geological structures and the distribution of saline soils in the areas of Prayeun District, Baan Faang District, and Muang Dristrict, Khon Kaen Province. In this study, data were collected from aerial photo interpretation, fi eld studies, and the information of potassium mineral resource exploration in Khon Kaen. It is found that the distributions of saline soils are widely spread on meandering and fl ood plain in braided drainage areas. However all of these distributions are natural occurrences and they are controlled by subsurface geological structures and fractures that can be classi fi ed into; less (<10%) and medium (10-50%) distributions over syncline structures, intensive (>50%) distribution over anticline structures. Moreover, all of three categories of the distribution are encountered along rock fractures with radial distribution pattern.