Soil salinization at a side-hill seep and closed basin in southern Alberta

Abstract

One saline soil in a side-hill seep and another in a closed basin were investigated using hydrological, chemical and mineralogical techniques. The morphology of the saline greyed Regosolic soil in the seep indicated strong upward movement of water and soluble salts. This was evident from the presence of mottles in the soil solum, a shallow water table, and high electrical conductivity (EC) and sodium adsorption ratio (SAR). The morphology of the saline orthic dark brown Chernozemic soil in the closed basin reflected slight upward movement of water and soluble salts. This morphology was consistent with a deeper water table, and lower EC and SAR. The high tritium content of the shallow groundwater at both sites suggested that downward (closed basin) and lateral (seep) movement of water was an important factor contributing to shallow water tables and soil salinization. -from Authors