Assessment of salt affected soils in India using GIS

Salt affected soils are characterized by variable distribution and dynamic nature. Based on Landsat data from 1986/1987 supported by ground truth, salt affected soil maps were prepared at 1:250,000 scale for 14 states and a union territory (UT). A map legend was evolved that described the nature, degree and extent of salt affected soils suitable for varied physiographic and agroclimatic regions of the country. Fifteen categories of salt affected soil were identified for the entire country. These were merged to two categories – saline and sodic – for management purposes. Digitized maps were developed in a geographical information system (GIS) depicting salt affected areas of the country. An area of 6.73 million ha of salt affected soils was estimated for the entire country. State-wise estimates showed that this extensive area is distributed over the Gangetic plain of Uttar Pradesh; the arid and semiarid regions of Gujarat and the peninsular plains of Maharashtra state. A significant area is also located in the coastal region covering seven states. The salt affected soils are primarily saline in deltaic (C), coastal (D) and mud flats/mangrove swamps (G) and sodic in alluvial (A), aeofluvial/aeolian/arid (B) and peninsular (F) plains. The distribution of salt affected soils in agroclimatic zones (ACZs) showed occurrence in Gujarat plain, East Coast plains, Upper-Gangetic plain, Trans-Gangetic plain, Central Plateau, Lower-Gangetic plain and Southern Plateau of the country.     

Evaluation of multisensor data for delineating salt affected soils in arid rajasthan

The Landsat (MSS and TM), SPOT (PLA and MLA) and IRS (LISS-I and LISS-II) images of crop free period (April, May), rainfed crop (October) and rabi irrigated crop (January, February) have been evaluated for their capabilities of mapping (1) primary salt affected soils: (slightly, moderately and severely) (2) saline water irrigated saline soils, (3) sodic water irrigated sodic soils and (4) salt affected soils due to tank seepage in the arid region of Rajasthan. The moderately and severe salt affected soils could be mapped with Landsat, (IRS LISS-I) and SPOT, images of any season. However, the summer season imagery provided maximum extent of salt affected soils. The LISS-II imagery also provided delineation of slightly salt affected soils in addition to the moderate and severely salt affected soils. The delineation of saline and sodic water irrigated areas was possible by using Landsat False Colour Composite for the January month by their characteristic reflectance, existing cropping pattern and the quality of irrigation water being used in the area. The IRS (LISS-II) and SPOT PLA images for the May month were also used for mapping of saline and sodic water irrigated soils.     

Computerized Database of Salt Affected Soils for Agro‐climatic Regions in the Indo–Gangetic Plain of India Using GIS

Abstract

Indo_Gangetic Plain (IGP) of India that stretched from the foothills of Himalayas near the Punjab State to the Gangetic delta in West Bengal State was known for highly fertile soil and favorable climatic condition for highest production of rice‐wheat. Appearance of soil salinity in large areas of IGP caused a major concern due to loss of productivity. The salt affected soils maps of India (NRSA 1997) showed vast areas of salt affected soils distributed along the Gangetic Plain covering the States of Haryana, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and West Bengal. In the analogue form, these maps contain voluminous data were difficult to handle without messing the whole dataset. An attempt was made to prepare a digitized database of salt affected soils to facilitate easy access, retrieval and map calculations required for reclamation and management of salt affected soil. The salt affected soils maps on 1:250, 000 scale were digitized for the States of Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and West Bengal using ILWIS. GIS. The Survey of India topomap was used for geo‐referencing and basemap preparation overlaying thematic layers for administrative and political boundaries, infrastructure, irrigation and drainage and settlements. The attribute data on physiography and the soil characteristics were stored in an attribute table and linked with the digitized polygons to prepare a relational database. Combining geo‐referenced (State) maps of Haryana, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and West Bengal using GIS, a composite map for Indo‐Gangetic plain was prepared. Four Agroclimatic regions (ACRs) and seventeen Agroclimatic zones (ACZs) were identified in the Indo‐Gangetic Plain (The Planning Commission of India) for planning and development of natural resources at regional level. The boundaries of ACZs and ACRs were delineated from the primary (master) database of IGP using ILWIS.GIS. The distribution of SAS polygons at regional and zonal level was delineated superimposing digitized boundaries of ACRs and ACZs over the master database of IGP. The state‐wise, region‐wise and zone‐wise extent of SAS was calculated. Soils were essentially saline at Lower‐ and Middle Gangetic Plain regions but highly variable and complex saline‐sodic in the Upper‐ and Trans‐Gangetic Plain regions. The area statistics showed that maximum SAS area occurred in ACR V (Upper Gangetic Plain) in Uttar Pradesh (UP) followed by ACR IV (Middle Gangetic Plain) in UP and Bihar, ACR III (Lower Gangetic Plain) in West Bengal and ACR VI (Trans‐Gangetic Plain) of Haryana and Punjab. Such database in digital format provides geo‐referenced, easy to access and retrievable, relational database comprising of thematic and attribute information of salt affected soils at state, regional and zonal level to facilitate overlay and map calculation of related data such as water quality, climatic, landform etc, useful for planning and decision making in reclamation and management of salt affected soils in IGP and other similar regions.     

Spectral reflectance characteristics of salt-affected arid soils of Rajasthan

The spectral reflectance characteristics of different types of natural and anthropogenic salt-affected soils have been studied under field conditions. The spectral reflectance value for non-saline and all types of salt-affected soils was maximum in near infra red region (800–1000 nm). The natural salt-affected soils having surface salt encrustation showed highest reflectance value followed by the sodic soils (formed due to high residual sodium carbonate water irrigation) natural saline soils and saline soils due to saline water irrigation. Soil texture, pH, CaC0₃ and organic matter together accounted for 29.6% variation in the maximum reflectance percentage value out of which only pH accounted for more than half (14.2% variation).     

Computerized database on salt affected soils in western and central India using GIS

Salt affected soils occupy significant areas in western and central India manifested by the arid and semiarid climate, sandy/clayey soil texture, absence of natural drainage, and inadequate infrastructure and irrigation development. These soils are productive following reclamation and appropriate management. The National Remote Sensing Agency, Hyderabad (India) published state-wise maps of salt affected soils in India on 1:250,000 scale using a legend that includes physiography, soil characteristics, and the aerial extent of the mapping units. In the analogue form, voluminous data contained in such maps were difficult to handle by users of varied backgrounds. An attempt was made to prepare a computerized database of salt affected soils for easy access, retrieval, and manipulation of spatial and attribute data useful for management of salt affected soils. The salt affected soils maps were prepared, for Rajasthan, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, and Maharashtra states, overlaying digitized layers of SAS polygons and the Survey of India basemap using the ILWIS (Integrated Land and Water Information System) software. GIS was used to prepare a composite (master) database of western and central India that showed the extent and distribution of salt affected soils. A relational database was prepared combining the digitized polygons with soil characteristics such as nature and degree of salinity (presence of higher concentration of neutral salts and neutral soil reaction), sodicity (presence of higher concentration of basic salts and alkaline reaction) and ground coverage. The regional and zonal databases of salt affected soils were prepared at a suitable scale overlaying agro-climatic regions agro-climatic zones. Spatial relation of salt affected soils with physiography, climate, geology, and agro-eco-sub-regions were evaluated employing map calculations in GIS. Saline soils were prevalent in Gujarat, and Rajasthan while sodic soils were dominant in Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh. These were distributed primarily in the arid (B) plain of Rajasthan, alluvial (A) and coastal (D) plains of Gujarat, and peninsular plain (F) of Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh. It occupied 2,596,942 ha (78%) in the western (Rajasthan and Gujarat) and 733,608 ha (22%) in the central (Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra) regions. The SAS occupied 3.3 million ha in the western and central region constituting 50% of the total salt affected soils in India. The saline and sodic soils occupied 2,069,285 ha (62%) and 1,261,266 ha (38%), respectively.     

Delineation and characterization of waterlogging and salt affected areas in a canal irrigated semiarid region of north west India

Indian Remote Sensing (IRS) Linear Imaging Self Scanning (LISS II) data are interpreted, followed by ground verification facilitated identification of waterlogged areas (ponded water), salt affected soils (salt efflorescence) and high water table zones (potential waterlogging zones) in the Indira Gandhi Nahar Pariyojona (IGNP) command area (India). The false colour composites (bands 4, 3, 2) for February 1996, November 1996 and June 1998 on 1:50 000 scale revealed occurrence and seasonal dynamics of permanent waterlogging in low-lying flats and depressions. The extent of waterlogging was higher in February 1996 due to less evaporation and more agricultural operation during the period. Salt accumulation was higher in November 1996 due to freshly precipitated seasonal salts. Seepage and accumulation of excess irrigation water through coarse sandy mass was primarily responsible for the development of waterlogging in the irrigated zone. The capillary rise of soluble salts with a rising water table and high evaporative demand caused secondary soil salinization. A ground truth study found areas with a high water table (<1.5 m) with patchy crop stands and a potentially sensitive zone with a fluctuating (1.5–6.0 m) water table with poor vegetative growth. The soil characteristics showed moderate to high soil salinity in the control section of soil profiles. These were characterized by medium to coarse texture, weak to moderately strong structure, weak consistency, low organic matter content and the presence of abundant CaCO₃ nodules. The composition of saturated soil paste showed a preponderance of chlorides and sulphates of sodium, calcium and magnesium. The presence of fine texture and calcium carbonate layers at a depth below the surface caused the development of a perched water table indicating unsuitability for traditional irrigated agriculture. The quality of pond water was extremely poor and unfit for reuse. The ground water was saline in some areas but normally lies within the prescribed limit. The quality of drainage water was poor in saline depressions and unsuitable for reuse but moderate in other areas suggesting its safe reuse when mixed with good quality water. Suitable soil and water management practices were necessary for sustainable crop production in the command area.     

Resource constraint mapping and management in arid tract of Punjab

The arid tract of Punjab experiences various problems like thick sand cover (sand dunes) in large area, poor retention of water and nutrients in coarse textured soils, soil salinity and/or alkalinity, water logging and poor ground water quality. In the present study multidate remotely sensed data both in the form of aerial photographs and satellite imagery on 1:50,000 scale were interpreted visually to map physiography and soils. The ground water samples from tubewells distributed all over the area were collected and analysed to prepare ground water quality map. The soil and ground water quality maps were integrated to produce a resource constraint map of the area showing physical, chemical and hydrological constraints. The study revealed that alluvial plain suffers from hydrological constraints due to marginal to.poor ground water in 86% of the total area. The sand dunes show both physical and hydrological constraints due to coarse textured (sandy) soils and brackish ground water. The basins having soil salinity and brackish ground water cover 0.10% of the area. Keeping in view the type of constraint, locale specific measures like levelling and stabilisation of sand dunes, reclamation of salt affected and water logged areas followed by plantation of tree species which act as biopumps are suggested. The conjuctive use of surface (canal) and ground water is essential to prevent secondary salinization and sodification. The study demonstrates the potential usefulness of remote sensing technology in mapping natural resources and assess the nature, magnitude and spatial distribution of resource constraints.     

Visual discrimination of surface features of salt affected soils using satellite images in arid region of Rajasthan (India)

The study has been carried for visual discrimination of natural salt affected soils on FCC images of IRS 1 B in Pali district of Rajasthan. The salt affected soils show wide variations in salinity (EC_2.53.7 to 28 dSm^-1), alkalinity (pH 8.5-9.8), cover ofP. juliflora (10-90%), salt tolerant grasses (10–55%) and gravelly surface (20–35%). ThoughP. juliflora and grasses were present at most of the observation points their cover decreased with soil EC_2.5 values more than 10 and 13 dSm^-1, respectively. Five darkness categories derived as the result of visual interpretation of FCCs; and ground and laboratory studies revealed that the darkness category 1 represented fewer plant community with high salinity (EC 28.7 dSm^-1) and gravelly surface, categories 2 and 3 were characterised by grass cover and moderate salt affected soils (EC 3-10 dSm^-1) whereas category 4 was dominated by thicket ofP. juliflora. The derived numerical darkness categories of the FCC images were slightly low for February images. The darkness values of observation pixel on February images correlated positively withP. juliflora cover and negatively with grass cover and soil pH indicating that surface features on FCC were related with the immediate observation pixels.     

Identification and delineation of saline soils using aerial photographs in Yamuna Alluvial plain,Haryana

Salinity is creating great problems in the Yamuna Alluvial Plain. State Government is taking steps for reclaiming these lands to increase agricultural production. Impeded drainage, excess canal irrigation, topography parent material, shallow depth and bad quality of ground water are the main factors which are responsible for the genesis of saline soils in the alluvial plains of Haryana. On the arial photographs tonal differences on account of salt concentration in the soil are clearly seen. These differences are aslo associated with physiography and soil conditions which can be easily delineated. The information thus; collected can be used for reclamation of saline soils.     

Hyperspectral Satellite Data in Mapping Salt-Affected Soils Using Linear Spectral Unmixing Analysis

Development of salt-affected soils in the irrigated lands of arid and semi-arid region is major cause of land degradation. Hyperion hyperspectral remote sensing data (EO-1) was used in the present study for characterization and mapping of salt-affected soils in a part of irrigation command area of Indo-Gangetic alluvial plains. Linear spectral mixture analysis approach was used to map various categories of salt affected soils represented by spectral endmembers of slightly, moderately and highly salt-affected soils. These endmembers were related to surface expression of various categories of salt-affected soils in the area. The endmembers were selected by performing minimum noise fraction (MNF) transformation and pixel purity index (PPI) on Hyperion (EO-1) data with reference to high resolution LISS IV data and field data. The results showed that various severity classes of salt-affected soils could be reliably mapped using linear spectral unmixing analysis. A low RMSE value (0.0193) over the image was obtained that revealed a good fit of the model in identification and classification of endmembers of various severities of salt affected soils. The overall classification accuracies for slight, moderate and highly salt-affected soils were estimated of 78.57, 79.81 and 84.43% respectively.     

黄河三角洲盐碱地遥感调查研究

土壤盐渍化是干旱、半干旱农业的主要的土地退化问题，有关盐碱地的性质、范围、面积、地理分布及盐渍程度等方面的实时、可靠的信息，对治理盐碱地防止其进一步退化和进行农业可持续发展规划至关重要，提出运用Landsat TM遥感数据来获取这些信息。基于地物光谱特征、野外调查建立的地物与影像之间的关系以及土壤和地下水监测数据的辅助，将常规监督分类法和改进的图像分类法两种方法相结合，提取了不同盐渍程度的盐碱地，即光板地14477．67hm^2，重度盐碱地52086．33hm^2，中度盐碱地86699．61hm^2，轻度盐碱地215001.7hm^2，占黄河三角洲总面积的近二分之一（47．4％），除此之外，水体，滩涂，非盐碱地等也作了区分。     

Saline degradation of Indian agricultural lands : A case study in Khambhat Taluka,Gujarat state (India), using satellite remote sensing

In certain agricultural fields of Khambhat Taluka in Gujarat State, the salinity has increased considerably rendering the land completely infertile. The occurrence of salinity in this area can be attributed partly to subsurface sea‐water ingress and partly to improper land and water management practices prior to implementation of irrigation. Landsat MSS or TM and IRS IA LISS II data was used to test the feasibility of delineating saline soils by both visual image interpretation and digital analysis. The study of saline soils using multi‐temporal Landsat images of the year 1977, 1983, and 1987, indicated an evident increase in saline areas in past few years. The Soil Brightness Index (SBI) generated from the IRS‐IA data by the application of MSS equivalent coefficients brought out different categories of soil degradation. The supervised classification scheme aided in generating various salinity levels. The analysis of the soil samples of the above area exhibited increasing values of Electrical Conductivity (ECe), and the soluble cations with increasing levels of salinity.     

Land transformation in Punjab — A case study of Kapurthala district

The map showing the extent of salt affected and sand dune soils was prepared at 1:50,000 scale using Landsat TM data for March 1987 and compared with the soil map of Kapurthala district based on 1965 aerial photographs and semi detailed survey of the district during 1975–76. The study revealed that in a span of 22 years (1965 to 1986) the area of sand dunes decreased from 22.7 per cent to 2.3 per cent and that of salt affected soils from 20.95 per cent to 4.38 per cent respectively as a consequence of reclamation of salt affected soils and clearing and levelling of sand dunes. Salt affected soils after reclamation have been brought under paddy-wheat rotation. Whereas sand dunes after clearing and levelling, have been brought under wheat or wheat -rice/fodder/oilseed crops.     

Mapping of waterlogged areas and salt affected soils in the IGNP command area

Visual interpretation of IRS LISS-II data authenticated by ground truth was carried out for detection of waterlogged areas and characterization of salt-affected soils. The deep blue tone depicting surface ponding (stagnant ponded zone) resulted from the seepage and accumulation of irrigation water through the course sandy mass. Such unit was mostly confined to the localized low-lying areas. These data have also revealed interdunal seepage lake within the buried paleo-channel of Saraswati possibly due to submerging of excess Ghaggar floodwater. Flood irrigation, sandy soils, cultivation of high water requirement crops and presence of hard gypsiferrous pans in the shallow depths were responsible for development of waterlogged conditions in the area. The grey to yellowish white patch around the waterlogging features represented surface salt efflorescence. The grey to greyish red represented the potential waterlogging zone. Based on the analytical data, soils were characterized as moderate to highly saline and showed the presence of significant amount of CaCO₃ (>2 mm) throughout the solum. The chemical analysis of water samples revealed the presence of high to very high quantity of soluble salts dominated by chlorides and sulfates of sodium, calcium and magnesium.     

Spatial analysis of an urban flash flood survey results

The geographical distribution of a flash flood's occurrence could be an important consideration in assessing its severity and social impacts. In this study, the spatial distribution of survey responses is analysed with respect to features such as the stream network (natural water path), the drainage network, buildings, and catchments. This provides information on both flash flood distribution causes in an urban setting and residents' perceptions of the hazard that would otherwise not be revealed. The study demonstrated the possibility of taking into account people's experience in detecting the location of potential flash flood hazards. It also illustrates the usefulness of GIS-supported spatial analysis of survey results in identifying factors that increase the occurrence of urban flash floods.     

Geoinformatics as a tool for the assessment of the impact of ground water quality for irrigation on soil health

Secondary salinisation is the most harmful and extended phenomenon of the unfavourable effects of irrigation on the soil and environment. An attempt was made to study the impact of poor quality ground water on soils in terms of secondary salinisation and availability of soil nutrients in Faridkot district of Punjab of northern India. Based on physiographic analysis of IRS 1C LISS-III data and semi-detailed soil survey, the soil map was finalized on a 1:50,000 scale and digitized using Arc Info GIS. Georeferenced surface soil samples (0–0.15 m) from 231 sites were collected and analyzed for available phosphorus (P) and potassium (K). Interpolation by kriging produced digital spatial maps of available P and K. Ground water quality map was generated in GIS domain on the basis of EC (electrical conductivity) and RSC (residual sodium carbonate) of ground water samples collected from 374 georeferenced tube wells. Integration of soil and ground water quality maps enabled generating a map showing degree (high, moderate and low) and type (salinity, sodicity and both) of vulnerability to secondary salinization. Fine-textured soils have been found to be highly sensitive to secondary salinisation, whereas medium-textured soils as moderately sensitive to secondary salinisation. The resultant map was integrated with available P and K maps to show the combined influence of soil texture and ground water quality on available soil nutrients. The results show that available P and K in the soils of different physiographic units were found in the order of Ap1 < Ap2 < Ap3. The soils of all physiographic units had sizeable area having high content of P (>22.5 kg / ha) and medium available K (135–335 kg ha⁻¹) in most of the test sites when irrigated with saline, sodic or poor quality water.     

Delineation and mapping of salt affected lands in Pariej village of Kheda district (Gujarat) by remote sensing

The study includes the identification and mapping of salt affected lands at village level, using Landsat TM data at 1:50,000 scale. For this, Pariej village of Kheda district, Gujarat was selected. Further, the superimposition of village boundary from the cadastral map on saline land to enable the identification of saline lands at plot level under various categories. The ground truth verification includes the saline soil analysis and correlate the information with the satellite data.     

RESULTS OF COMBINED ANALYSIS OF GROUND AND REMOTE SENSING INFORMATION IN THE STUDY OF MAJOR EARTHQUAKE CENTERS

Soil salinity is one of the most important problems affecting Egyptian soils. It is caused by: (1) a rising water table, or (2) the misuse of the irrigation water. Two Landsat images acquired in 1987 and 1999 were used to detect and monitor soil salinity over the Siwa Oasis, Western Desert, Egypt. DN values of these images were converted to percent reflectance. Inspection of Landsat images revealed that saline soils had an overall higher spectral reflectance in all spectral bands except the two MIR bands. The reflectance curves of saline soils show a strong relationship between the existence of salts in the soil and the difference between bands 4 and 5. A salinity index (SI) was calculated for both images. The majority of pixels in the 1987 image have salinity index values ranging between 0 and 0.2, whereas the values in the 1999 image histogram ranged between 0 and 0.4. These values indicate that soil salinity has increased twofold during the 12 years spanning the imagery. These values show a strong correlation with vegetation index images, in which the 1999 vegetation index image reveals the appearance of surface water lakes formed due to a rising water table. This study presents a model for the identification of soil salinity using remote sensing measurements in conjunction with piezometer readings taken during the time of image acquisition.     

Monitoring of salt affected soils — A case study using aerial photographs,salyut‐7 space photographs,and landsat TM data

Soils of part of Ukai‐kakarapar Command area, Gujarat (India) have been mapped at 1:25, 000 scale using aerial photographs of December 1977. It was observed that about 36.3% of the area was affected by soil salinity/alkalinity. The test area has been remapped using Salyut‐7 space photographs taken during Indo‐Soviet joint flight in April, 1984. The area affected by soil salinity/alkalinity was found to be substantially higher (80.3%). The earlier mapping using aerial photographs was done when the soil surface was compartively moist (December 1977) as compared to date of Salyut‐7 photography (April 1984), when the soil surface was likely to be devoid of moisture and the salts moved to the surface. To have easy comparision with the map prepared by using aerial photographs, Landsat TM data of December, 1985 was used in which 45.7% of the total area was mapped as salt affected. The extent of area delineated using Landsat TM was higher than that of 1977 but much lesser than the area delineated using Salyut‐7 (MKF‐6M) photographs. This indicated that the increase in the extent of salt affected area in the map prepared using the MKF‐6M photographs might be partly due to actual increase in the salinity/alkalinity and partly due to the seasonal affects. Among the various bands of MKF‐6M, band ‐4 was found to be the best for delineating the salt affected soils. The boundaries were sharper in the FCC and band No.4 of MKF‐6M than in the aerial photographs.     

Geomorphology of the cambay basin

The Quaternary geology of the Cambay basin is studied with the help of aerial photographs and spot checking in the field. Sub-aerial denudational, fluviatile, aeolian and marine processes have produced the Recent deposits that cover the Cambay basin. Black cotton soils, lateritic soils and sandy loams, flood plain deposits, levees, swamps, salt waste, barrier spits, sand hills, undulating sands and flat sands have been identified. The trend of the fluviatile and aeolin deposits are in the NE-SW direction and the marine deposits trend NW-SE. The morphostructural distribution studied on the basis of tonal contrasts and drainage pattern indicates a general NE-SW pattern of structural trend in the Cambay basin and is in confirmation with the Aravalli and the Cutch structural trends. The Cambay basin area is a compound landscape wherein a mantle of youthful material fails to hide the dominant features of the underlying landforms. An attempt is made to relate the different geomorphic aspects to the underlying landforms.