Concept information

effect > environmental change > salination > soil salination

Preferred term

soil salination  

Definition

  • The accumulation of soluble mineral salts near the surface of soil, usually caused by the capillary flow of water from saline ground water. Where the rate of surface evaporation is high, irrigation can exacerbate the problem by moistening the soil and causing water to be drawn from deeper levels as water evaporates from the surface. The evaporation of pure water leaves the salts behind, allowing them to accumulate, and they can reach concentrations that are toxic to plants, thus sterilizing the land.

Broader concept

Belongs to group

URI

http://www.eionet.europa.eu/gemet/concept/7889

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