MINERALOGICAL AND ELEMENTAL CHARACTERISTICS OF SOILS FROM THE ILYOSKO'L BASIN, SOUTHERN KYZYLKUM DESERT, UZBEKISTAN

This study evaluated the mineralogical and geochemical characteristics of soils from the Ilyoskol Basin in the Southern Kyzylkum Desert using X-ray diffraction (XRD), MATCH! software, and inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP–OES). Soil pH values were determined, mineral phases were identified using XRD and the MATCH! program, and elemental composition was analyzed by ICP–OES. XRD analysis revealed that quartz (SiO₂) was the dominant mineral phase (46.5%), while gypsum (5.8%) was also detected in the soil samples. ICP–OES analysis showed the predominance of the major elements Na, Ca, Fe, Al, Mg, and K, whereas the concentrations of Pb, Cr, Ni, Cd, and As were relatively low. The investigated soils were characterized by a Ca–Na–Fe–Al geochemical composition, and a close relationship between the mineral phases and elemental distribution was identified. The findings provide valuable scientific information for evaluating the mineralogical and geochemical characteristics of soils in the Ilyoskol Basin and serve as a basis for future geological and soil science research in the region.