GEOG M109 Lecture Notes - Lecture 4: Sodium Sulfate, Soil Conservation, Soil Management
Document Summary
Regions of hotter climate have more evaporation of water = higher salinity. Reservoirs/dams cause water to pile up raising the water table and salt water concentration rises to the surface. Osmotic movement (move from high concentrations to low): when a water solution with large amount of dissolved salts comes into contact a plant cell, it also causes shrinkage of plant cell due to osmotic movement of water. Plants contain more freshwater, so when coming into contact with saline solution, it will shrivel and die. Agricultural yield reduces from high salinity levels. Some plants can tolerate saline solutions: example- strawberries cannot tolerate saline solutions as much as cantaloupes can. Salt particles can be blown away and deposit downwind. Physical treatments: the removal of salt by improving drainage or adding fresh water to leach the salt out of the soil. Biotic treatments: suaeda fruticosa (can absorb salt)
