Doline morphometric analysis and soil characteristics in northern Iran (case study: Gorazbon district of the Kheyrud kenar experimental forest)

A doline consists of a superficial enclosed depression in karst areas, similar to a crater with one or more cavities in the bottom landform, which permit underground drainage of water. We also used the morphometric parameters collected in the fieldwork to analyze and characterize the shape of dolines in the study area. Different soil samples were collected from 3 locations (out- wall - bottom of4 doline) at 15 cm depth. We conducted several chemical and physical analyses that allowed us to compare soil properties in the two different doline sections. And the samples were evaluated in the laboratory for measuring soil texture parameters, lime content and ph. Soil analysis showed the different characteristics of soil in the different place of dolines. The dolines were more sub elliptical and elliptical and may not be a well-developed swallow hole. The results show an irregular distribution in the study area. The doline density differed within the plots in our study area, as results showed. The axes of length and width show a certain asymmetry. The dolines were more sub elliptical and elliptical and may not have a well-developed swallow hole, at the bottom of the doline. Evaluation of the characteristics and high density and of solution dolines in the study area indicate the development of karst geomorphology in the Gorazbon region.