Contribution to the study of ammonium leaching and its influencing factors in the soils of Al-Sin Lake Catchment, Banias, Syria

Abstract In this study, the sites of Beit Aana, Al-Qutailbiya, Quorfase and Al-Waha Spring were characterized by high levels of leaching whereas the highest concentrations of ammonium leaching were measured in December 2019 and March 2020, ranging between 5.74 and 5.81 mg/L. However, the lowest concentration (0.97 mg/L) was recorded in February 2020 in the sites of Bestwair, Beit Al-Alouni, Geiboul and Al-Rahbeyia with lower levels of leaching. The highest concentrations of ammonium leaching were obtained during November 2019 and April 2020, ranging between 3.51 and 4.31 mg/L whilst the lowest concentration of ammonium (0.59 mg/L) was determined in January 2020. It was found that the levels of ammonium leaching decreased with depth. The statistical study showed a correlation between ammonium leaching and the following variables: organic matter (OM), the saturated hydraulic conductivity (SHC) and pH. Regression equations representing ammonium leaching in soil horizons and their role were also obtained.