Dynamics of the soil water and solute in the sodic saline soil in the Songnen Plain,China

According to the field experiment in the sodic saline soil region in the Songnen Plain, the dynamics of the soil water and solute affected by the shallow groundwater were explored during the growing season in 2004. The results presented that, influenced by the strongly evaporative demand, the soil water tended to transport to the upper soil layer with salt. The layered soil water balance model (LSWB model) revealed that the ratio of the water exchange between the groundwater and upper layer of the soil was 11.7:1. The groundwater discharge was 53.86 mm, but the groundwater recharge from the upper layer of soil was only 5.04 mm from 11 July to 06 September, which indicated that the groundwater could discharge to upper layer of soil and influence the soil salinization through capillary rise. The observed values of the salt content from July to mid-October presented that the soil solute was more changeable influenced by the climatic condition at 30 cm depth. As the field saturated hydraulic conductivity was low, the salts mainly accumulated in about 50–70 cm depth soil layer and hardly leached into deeper soil layer. Furthermore, the salt content was mainly controlled by the groundwater in the subsoil below 100 cm depth, the salt content decreased with the groundwater level receding. As influenced by the shallow groundwater and freeze-thaw action, further studies should be performed on the mechanism of soil salinization in the sodic saline soil region in the Songnen Plain of China.     

早涝碱咸综合治理与生态环境良性循环

华北平原东部淡水资源短缺，旱涝碱成灾害限制了农业生产的可持续发展。海河的治理，解决了排洪排涝排咸出路。春季开发利用地下水包括微咸水和半咸水抗旱灌溉。夏季利用伏雨洗盐排咸，增大降雨入渗，减少径流流失，防治渍涝灾害，把降雨转化为地下水资源。秋冬引蓄河水，回灌地下水补源。以土壤与潜水的地层空间作为调节大气降水、土壤水、地下水、地表水的地下水库，以调控地下水埋深在临界动态为指标，最大限度地把时空分布不均的天然降雨转化为可持续利用的水资源。地表水地下水联合运用，促使水资源采补平衡，降雨灌溉淋洗脱盐强于干旱蒸发积盐过程，地下水淡化强于矿化过程。实现旱涝碱咸综合治理，水土资源可持续利用，经济社会可持续发展，生态环境良性循环。     

Denitrification capacity in a subterranean estuary below a Rhode Island fringing salt marsh

Coastal waters are severely threatened by nitrogen (N) loading from direct groundwater discharge. The subterranean estuary, the mixing zone of fresh groundwater and sea water in a coastal aquifer, has a high potential to remove substantial N. A network of piezometers was used to characterize the denitrification capacity and groundwater flow paths in the subterranean estuary below a Rhode Island fringing salt marsh.¹⁵N-enriched nitrate was injected into the subterranean estuary (in situ push-pull method) to evaluate the denitrification capacity of the saturated zone at multiple depths (125–300 cm) below different zones (upland-marsh transition zone, high marsh, and low marsh). From the upland to low marsh, the water table became shallower, groundwater dissolved oxygen decreased, and groundwater pH, soil organic carbon, and total root biomass increased. As groundwater approached the high and low marsh, the hydraulic gradient increased and deep groundwater upwelled. In the warm season (groundwater temperature >12 °C), elevated groundwater denitrification capacity within each zone was observed. The warm season low marsh groundwater denitrification capacity was significantly higher than all other zones and depths. In the cool season (groundwater temperature <10.5 °C), elevated groundwater denitrification capacity was only found in the low marsh. Additions of dissolved organic carbon did not alter groundwater denitrification capacity suggesting that an alternative electron donor, possibly transported by tidal inundation from the root zone, may be limiting. Combining flow paths with denitrification capacity and saturated porewater residence time, we estimated that as much as 29–60 mg N could be removed from 11 of water flowing through the subterranean estuary below the low marsh, arguing for the significance of subterranean estuaries in annual watershed scale N budgets.     

Effects of road-deicing salt (NaCl) and saline water on water quality in the Urmia area,northwest of Iran

Increased application of road salt for winter maintenance has resulted in increased concentration of deicer constituents in the environment. The runoffs from the deicing operation have a deteriorating effect on water quality. The existence of salt super saturated Urmia lake and easy access to it, causes Urmia municipality to over use the super saturated water of this lake and salt (NaCl) during winter for snow melting, freezing prevention and traffic load facilitation. The aim of this study was investigation of surface and groundwater contaminations in consequence of salt (NaCl) and saline water usage in Urmia city and its surroundings. Studying the chloride ion concentration as a tracer in runoff result snowmelts during winter shows that its amount is differential with respect to time and place sampling. Results indicate that runoff result of snowmelts effected groundwater, soil and plant growth. The contamination of groundwater in study area by road salt and saline water is a slow process and directly related to the amount of road salt and saline water applied.     

Assessment of soil salinization based on a low-cost method and its influencing factors in a semi-arid agricultural area,northwest China

An investigation of soil salinization was carried out in the Nanshantaizi area (Northwest China) with WET Sensor. This device can measure such soil parameters as bulk soil electrical conductivity, water content, and the pore water electrical conductivity that are important for soil salinization assessments. A distribution map of soil salinization was produced, and the factors influencing soil salinization and its processes were discussed in detail. The study shows that moderately salinized to salt soils are mainly observed in the alluvial plain, where groundwater level is high and lateral recharge water contains high salinity. Nanshantaizi is covered by slightly salinized soils. The soil salinization distribution estimated by WET Sensor is generally consistent with the actual levels of salinization. Soil salinity in Nanshantaizi is mostly of natural origin and accumulated salts could leach to deeper soils or aquifers by water percolation during irrigation. Groundwater evaporation, groundwater level depth and quality of recharge water are important factors influencing soil salinization in the alluvial plain.     

Relationship between groundwater properties and soil salinity at the Lower Nam Kam River Basin in Thailand

The Lower Nam Kam River Basin lies in the vicinity of the Mekong River and is located in the eastern section of the Nakhon Panom Province in northeastern Thailand. Drought, particularly in the winter and summer seasons, is the main environmental challenge in this area. In addition, soil becomes saline and groundwater is brackish in some locations. This problem worsens the drought crisis in the area. Groundwater is known to closely relate to the soil salinity distribution. To successfully manage highly saline areas, saline groundwater and soil properties must be evaluated together. Therefore, the main objective was to study the shallow groundwater physical and chemical properties in conjunction with surface soil salinity. Soil samples were collected and measured for physical and chemical properties. Shallow groundwater was measured for depth from ground surface and sampled from the sites in the study area. The water samples were measured for pH, total dissolved solids, electrical conductivity, and salinity. Results were interpolated and displayed via a geographic information system and further analyzed by simple linear regressions between surface soil salinity and the other factors. The results show that the topsoil contaminated with salinity is typically situated in relatively low areas with shallow groundwater levels and low head gradient of groundwater. This is due to the characteristics of the soil profile and groundwater depth.     

Chemical and physical parameters as trace markers of anthropogenic-induced salinity in the Agua Amarga coastal aquifer (southern Spain)

Agua Amarga coastal aquifer in southern Spain has been the subject of chemical and physical measurements since May 2008 in order to monitor the potential effects of water withdrawal for the Alicante desalination plants on the salt marsh linked to the aquifer. Electrical conductivity contour maps and depth profiles, piezometric-head contour maps, hydrochemical analyses, isotopic characterizations and temperature depth profiles show not only the saltwater intrusion caused by water abstraction, but also the presence of a pronounced convective density-driven flow below the salt marsh; this flow was a consequence of saltwork activity in the early 1900s which generated saline groundwater contamination. The influence of a seawater recharge programme, carried out over the salt marsh in 2009–2010, on the diminishing groundwater salinity and the recovery of groundwater levels is also studied. Based on collected field data, the project provides a deeper understanding of how these successive anthropogenic interventions have modified flow and mixing processes in Agua Amarga aquifer.     

The potential impact of herbivores on the susceptibility of the marsh plantSagittaria lancifolia to saltwater intrusion in coastal wetlands

The objective of this study was to experimentally evaluate the effects of simulated herbivory on the ability of a freshwater marsh plant to recover from temporary saltwater intrusion such as can be caused by tropical storms. Sods containingSagittaria lancifolia, a dominant plant in interior coastal marshes, were manipulated in the field so as to subject plants to a pulse of 15‰ salt water for a duration of 1 wk. In addition to the exposure to salt water, some plants were also subjected to both short-term and long-term flooding treatments of 20 cm, and to simulated herbivory (clipping). Following exposure to salt water, plants were allowed to recover over the winter and were harvested the next June. Neither simulated herbivory, nor salinity, nor flooding caused any long-term effect either singly or in pairwise combinations. However, when plants were subjected to herbivory, salt water, and flooding simultaneously, reduced growth and plant death occurred. These results suggest that high levels of grazing by herbivores may increase the susceptibility of coastal marsh plants to damage from saltwater intrusion. *** DIRECT SUPPORT *** A01BY073 00002     

Soil salinization and critical shallow groundwater depth under saline irrigation condition in a Saharan irrigated land

In the arid irrigated lands, understanding the impact of shallow groundwater fluctuation on soil salinization has become crucial. Thus, investigation of the possible options for maintaining the groundwater depth for improving land productivity is of great importance. In this study, under saline irrigation condition, the effects of shallow groundwater depth on water and salt dynamics in the root-zone of date palms were analyzed through a particular field and modeling (SWAP) investigation in a Tunisian Saharan oasis (Dergine Oasis). The model was calibrated and validated against the measured soil water content through the date palm root-zone. The good agreement between measured and estimated soil water content demonstrated that the SWAP model is an effective tool to accurately simulate the water and salt dynamics in the root-zone of date palm. Multiple groundwater depth scenarios were performed, using the calibrated SWAP model, to achieve the optimal groundwater depth. The simulation results revealed that the shallow groundwater with a depth of ~80 cm coupled with frequent irrigation (20 days interval) during the summer season is the best practice to maintain the adequate soil water content (>0.035 (cm³ cm^?3) and safe salinity level (<4 dS m^?1) in the root-zone layer. The results of field investigation and numerical simulation in the present study can lead to a better management of lands with shallow water table in the Saharan irrigated areas.     

渤海湾西岸滨海盐渍土的盐渍化特征分析

渤海湾西岸滨海盐渍土的盐渍化特征与滨海平原的地面高程、气候条件、盐渍土的理化性状、地下水的矿化度及人类活动等密切相关。就土盐渍化的程度而言,地面高程较高处的土高于地面高程较低处的土,上层土高于下层土。受蒸发和降水影响,地下水位以上土的盐渍化敏感深度为1 m左右。随着气候的变化,滨海盐渍土显现出春季蒸发,上层土积盐;夏季淋洗,土中盐分向下移动的盐渍化特征。随着深度的增加,土的含盐量逐渐减少,至地下水位附近出现轻微增长。从剖面上地表至地下水位间可划分为3个不同聚盐形态和含盐量的土盐渍化程度分区带,即土蒸发浓缩聚盐带、土盐化变动带和土饱水溶盐带;平面上向海岸线方向延伸,土逐渐由非盐渍土变为弱盐渍土、中盐渍土和强盐渍土,含盐量和盐渍化程度也越来越高。地下水位浅和地下水矿化度高,则上层土的盐渍化程度就愈高。     

Contribution of shallow groundwater rapid fluctuation to soil salinization under arid and semiarid climate

Rising saline shallow groundwater and associated soil salinization problems are widespread especially in arid and semiarid areas. There have been numerous studies on groundwater-associated salinity, but more information is required on the effects of groundwater frequent and high fluctuations on soil salinization. In the present study, laboratory experiments and numerical simulations using HYDRUS-1D model were carried out for this purpose. The experimental and modeling results showed that groundwater fluctuation caused not only the accumulation of more salt in the soil profile compared to stable groundwater, but also an enhancement of the mechanism. Water table fluctuation induced a much greater spreading of the bromide (Br) tracer within the column than the constant water table. The Br content was on average five orders of magnitude greater under a fluctuating water table than under a constant one. Further, the numerical simulations showed that an increase in the groundwater fluctuation frequency brought about an increase in soil surface salinization under the same evaporation boundary conditions. Additional simulations with HYDRUS-1D were used to study the effects of various management strategies on soil salinization induced by shallow groundwater. Hence, by reducing the evaporation rate through the application of surface mulching, a significant reduction of salt concentration at the soil surface was observed. Moreover, frequent irrigations with small quantities were effective to reduce soil surface salt accumulation induced by saline shallow groundwater.     

银川平原土壤盐渍化与植被发育和地下水埋深关系

土壤盐渍化是制约银川平原内部植被生长最主要的生态环境地质问题,也是影响区域农业生产的第一障碍性问题。基于遥感数据,结合表层土壤含盐量及地下水位观测资料,对银川平原土壤盐渍化与植被和地下水的关系进行了定量研究。结果表明：随着表层土壤含盐量的增大,NDVI(归一化植被指数)逐渐减小,植被发育较好的区域土壤含盐量均小于3 g/kg;植被主要生长在没有盐渍化或轻微盐渍化的地区,在中度和重度盐渍化地区几乎没有植被发育;在枯水季节,研究区土壤盐渍化最严重的地下水位埋深为1.5 m,而土壤盐渍化较为严重的地下水位埋深范围为1~3 m。     

Groundwater evolution, chemical sedimentation and carbonate brine formation on an island in the Okavango Delta swamp, Botswana

The Okavango Delta of semi-arid northern Botswana is a large alluvial fan (22,000 km²) covered by permanent and seasonal swamps from which 96% of the annual discharge is lost by evapotranspiration. Many small islands (1ha) within the permanent swamps are the sites of accumulation of sodium carbonate salts and many contain saline pans. The associated alkaline soils are toxic to vegetation. An understanding of the processes involved in alkalinization could be of potential benefit to long-term conservation planning in this unique ecosystem. The relation between soil chemistry and mineralogy, and swamp and groundwater chemistry were investigated on an island in the swamps. The study revealed that the water table beneath the island is depressed and swamp water enters the groundwater regime of the island from the margins and below, and flows toward the centre. The water becomes progressively more saline, initially owing to transpiration by trees and ultimately by evaporation in the central parts of the island. As a result of increasing salinity, amorphous SiO₂ and magnesium calcite precipitate in the soils beneath the marginal zone of the island, raising the land surface, while the more soluble alkali carbonates are concentrated in the centre of the island as surface crusts and brine ponds. Leaching of these salts into the soil during the rainy season and gravity-driven flow of saline brines in the dry season causes the downward movement of Al and Fe in the central zone of the island. K-feldspar and possibly amorphous allophane develop in the deeper soils under the central zone of the island.     

Noble gases reveal the complex groundwater mixing pattern and origin of salinization in the Azraq Oasis,Jordan

Azraq Oasis in the eastern Jordanian desert is an important freshwater resource of the country. Shallow groundwater reserves are heavily exploited since the 1980s and in consequence the groundwater table dropped significantly. Furthermore, some wells of the major well field drilled into the shallow aquifer show an increasing mineralization over the past 20 years. A previous study using conventional tracers did not result in a satisfactory explanation, from where the salt originates and why only a few wells are affected. In this study, the application of dissolved noble gases in combination with other tracer methods reveals a complex mixing pattern leading to the very localized salinization within the well field. It is found that primarily the wells affected by salinization 1) contain distinctly more radiogenic ⁴He than the other wells, indicating higher groundwater age, and 2) exhibit ³He/⁴He ratios that argue for an imprint of deep fluids from the Earth's mantle.However, the saline middle aquifer below is virtually free of mantle helium, which infers an upstream from an even deeper source through a nearby conductive fault. The local restriction of the salinization process is explained by the wide range of permeabilities of the involved geologic units. As the wells abstract water from the whole depth profile, they initially pump water mainly from the well conductive top rock layer. As the groundwater table dropped, this layer fell progressively dry and, depending on the local conductivity profile, some wells began to incorporate more water from the deeper part of the shallow aquifer into the discharge. These are the wells affected by salinization, because according to the presented scheme the deep part of the shallow aquifer is enriched in both salt and mantle fluids.     

Groundwater use by plants in a semi-arid coal-mining area at the Mu Us Desert frontier

The hydrogen isotope (deuterium- $ \delta D $ ) composition at natural abundance levels of xylem water, soil water, groundwater, river water, and rainwater was used to evaluate whether adult plant species use groundwater and to detect seasonal shifts (dry/wet season) in water sources for plants growing in a semi-arid coal-mining area (located at the frontier of the Mu Us Desert). A direct inference approach and the IsoSource mixing model were used to estimate the contributions of different sources to the plant xylem water. The results showed that (1) the $ \delta D $ values of rainfall fluctuated considerably, while those of groundwater were generally constant during the experimental period; (2) the $ \delta D $ patterns in plant xylem water suggest that groundwater was a significant source of water for transpiration in the dry season, while all five selected species reduced dependence on groundwater sources in the wet season; and (3) soil water from the deep layer (50–100 cm) was used largely by adult species possibly because of interspecific competition. These results indicated that coal mining would significantly affect plant growth by reducing the water supply if it leads to a water table decrease. Therefore, it is necessary to protect groundwater resources during the coal mining operations in the region.     

吉林西部盐渍土多场作用下物质特性演化规律

在温度场、湿度场和人工水渠等多场耦合作用下,土体与外界环境的热交换条件和水热输运过程的改变极易引起土体成分和结构的变异,从而引发区域的生态失衡和次生盐渍化。本文选择吉林西部的农安、大安、乾安和镇赉4个典型盐渍化地区作为长期观测和研究评价的地点,对多场(水、热、盐)循环条件下不同盖层盐渍土进行现场调查取样,对室外内的工程地质性质、物理化学性质和物质组成进行了长期观测和测试分析。结果表明:吉林西部盐渍土属于碳酸型盐渍土,水分迁移量为3.5%4.6%;易溶盐质量分数总体随深度增加而降低,并且盐水在剖面上的分布明显受到季节影响,旱季蒸发作用和冬季土体冻结作用促使盐分随水分向上运移,浅表土体盐分大量集聚;随深度增加,阳离子交换量的变化趋势基本与易溶盐质量分数变化的趋势相同。     

Changes in saltmarsh surface elevation due to variability in evapotranspiration and tidal flooding

We examine the potential for diurnal variation in elevation of saltmarsh surfaces as a source of error in long-term experiments; errors particularly critical in high precision studies that employ the surface elevation table (SET) as a means to monitor elevations. The field study was carried out along the New Brunswick coast of the Bay of Fundy in high and low zones at three marshes with different tidal ranges. We used a total of 16 benchmark pipes and controlled for daily variability in evapotranspiration (ET), as well as timing of tidal flooding, two factors that affect soil water storage, and consequently soil volumes. In six of nine trials we detected significant elevation change over periods as short as 5 d. Marsh-wide averages ranged from 1.2 to 3.0 mm, greater than the yearly increase in relative sea level in many regions. Wood Point marsh had the highest tidal range, but lowest soil organic matter content, giving its soils the lowest compressibility and little sensitivity to ET during two of three trials; the average change in elevation in Wood Point high marsh stations was 4.0 mm during the last trial. Greater differences later in the growing season (while temperature changes were minor) at Wood Point and another site suggest that plant transpiration drove changes in water storage at those sites. Significantly greater differences in elevation with lower plant cover in the third marsh suggests that evaporation drove changes in water storage there. Surface elevation change due to ET should be of greatest concern to SET users in temperate regions where there are large changes in plant biomass and variable temperatures. Variation due to plant transpiration could be reduced if yearly monitoring is scheduled before the start of the growing season.     

开采浅层水增雨水入渗引河水补源实现水资源可持续利用

南皮县淡水资源严重短缺,制约工农业与经济社会的发展.春季开采浅层地下水包括微咸水和半咸水抗旱灌溉,腾出地下含水层空间;汛期增加降雨入渗,减少径流流失,防渍防涝,把时空分布不均的天然降雨转化为地下水资源;秋冬利用河道沟渠引蓄河水补源,淡化地下水质,增加地下水可采量.地上水地下水联合运用,保持水资源采补平衡.实现旱涝碱咸综合治理、水资源可持续利用与经济社会可持续发展.     

Time-lapse resistivity investigations for imaging saltwater transport in glaciofluvial deposits

Five intersecting resistivity sections have been measured in glaciofluvial deposits hosting an aquifer of regional importance situated along a heavy traffic highway in Sweden. The winter salt spreading has caused a regular salinity increase through the years. For imaging the transport of saltwater in the aquifer, the sections were measured exactly in the same location before and after winter, and interpreted using a time-lapse inverse procedure. Some auger drilling and RCPT data were available for correlation. After winter, the resistivity had generally decreased under the water table and increased above it. The decrease in resistivity in the saturated zone is interpreted as a plume of more saline groundwater created by de-icing salt from the road. The increase in the upper layer can be explained by changes in temperature and soil moisture. The study shows that time-lapse resistivity investigations has potential for imaging hydraulic pathways in complex hydrogeological environments.     

Variations in groundwater levels and quality due to agricultural over-exploitation in an arid environment: the phreatic aquifer of the Souf oasis (Algerian Sahara)

Groundwater is a major source of supply for domestic and agricultural purposes, especially in arid and semi-arid regions. In this study, we followed the variations in water levels in the Souf oasis in the Algerian Sahara by measuring depths to groundwater across 65 points during the period from 2010 to 2015. Additionally, electrical conductivity (EC) was measured for assessing variations in groundwater salinity in the same groundwater monitoring network over the same time interval. The results from these investigations indicated that there are significant and continuous declines in the groundwater level across all study areas throughout the period of investigation. This is especially the case in the northern part of the study area where the water table declined by up to 18.2 m in Ghamra in 2015. Additionally, this study has indicated that the rate of decline of groundwater levels has increased from 0.29 m/year as an average in 2011 to 2.37 m/year in 2015, where the situation has become alarming. As a consequence of this, the depth to groundwater now exceeds 2 m over more than 77% of the study area, and only about 17% of the study area now has a water table depth that lies within the optimal depth interval for extractive uses (between 1 and 2 m). This decline in groundwater levels has been accompanied by a significant increase in the electrical conductivity values (salinity) of this water, and there is a strong correlation between these variables (R > 0.99). This alarming situation has been caused by the continuous over-exploitation and unsustainable management of this limited resource, especially by the agricultural sector. For a long time, this critical situation led to the demise of the agricultural world heritage cultivation system (Ghout) due to the increasing salinity of groundwater. Two solutions are proposed to manage the effects of groundwater depletion in the area: firstly, rationalizing groundwater use through effective groundwater allocation management measures, and secondly by implementing the reuse of treated wastewater as an alternative water source for agricultural use. This latter measure could be in two ways: either by direct use in irrigation to relieve pressure on the phreatic aquifer, or by artificial recharge of the phreatic aquifer.