High Soil Salinity Problems
and How to Correct Them

Salt is a necessary element for all life, but too much can be a problem. High soil salinity or salt-affected soils are problems in many parts of the world. Salt, in science, is also referred to as Sodium (Na). For example, "hydrated sodium chloride" is sea water.

In states or provinces where road salt is used every winter, the strips of grass along paved roads can become quite damaged. However, the largest degree of damage occurs near the coast, coastal marshes and swamp lands, dry arid and semi-arid areas, and soils that are irrigated with sewage water or other types of nonpotable water.

Salt can also accumulate naturally due to soil mineral degradation. Calcium(Ca⁺²), Magnesium (Mg⁺²), Potassium (K⁺), Chlorine (Cl^B), and others contribute to salt accumulations (at pH above >9.0). Inorganic fertilizers are also high in salt due to the salt content of the minerals.

The highest concentrations of salt-affected areas are in Australia, North and Central Asia and South America. However, every continent and almost every part of the earth can be affected. The photo above shows salt that has collected on the soil surface after the water has evaporated.

From the above list, coastal areas are affected due to salt spray, ocean storms or hurricanes that carry salty water far inland. Marshes that are drained become even more problematic as salt accumulates in the soil. In arid areas there is less rain or irrigation water to carry salt down below the root zone. Over time, these areas can sometimes accumulate in high concentrations. In addition, salts from inorganic fertilizers (and in some organics) can build up in the soil.

Basic Soil Overview and the Effects of Salinity in Soil

Soil is composed of tiny powder-like particles. These particles aggregate to form larger particles. These larger particles are what we refer to as the "soil structure". This happens because the original powder-like particles contain a variety of essential elements with positive and negative charges that attract each other in specific patterns. This binding of soil particles allows water and air to filter and collect in the soil. Soils with a higher percentage of clay (loamy) will hold more water and nutrients. Sandy soil do not have the same structure or holding capacity, so water and nutrients will leach quickly.

As soil microorganisms break down soil elements, the tiny spaces in the soil are filled with a solution containing water, air, calcium, magnesium, potassium and other elements to varying degrees that are available to roots.

Saline soils will have a relatively high number of sodium ions compared to healthy soils. Excessive salt not only destroys the soil structure, salt also attracts water and blocks its absorption to plant roots. As a result, plants may exhibit signs of drought even when the soil is wet or waterlogged. Other signs of salt damage may be water pooling on the surface without penetrating.

Just as the results of high soil salinity on plants is seen in leaf and stem burns, it is hard on earthworms and microorganisms as well.

The three types of salt soils

The three types of high sodium soils are:

• Saline soil
• Sodic Soil
• Saline/Sodic Soil

Saline Soils: This is soil that contain high total soluble salts that can adversely affect plant health and growth. An important note is that saline soils still have good soil structure intact. Saline soils must have chlorine present (Cl) where sodic soils usually lack chlorine. Soil pH for saline soils is usually between 7 and 8.5. An older name for saline soil is “white alkali” since a white salt film is often present on dry patches of bare ground.

Sodic Soils: Sodic soil have high enough levels of sodium ions to affect soil structure. This means the sodium binds to clay particles so the clay in the soil does not stick together when the soil becomes moist. It often becomes easily waterlogged, not allowing water to drain. When it does dry out, it becomes like concrete and is difficult for plant roots to penetrate. Because the soil does not hold together the soil easily erodes away, especially on hillsides. The plants exhibit drought stress even with what appears to be adequate moisture. The pH is sodic soils are usually between 8.5 and 10.

Sodic/Saline Soils: These soils are a mixture of both, but baline/Sodic soil usually exhibit more of the characteristic of saline soil especially reduced water uptake by plants, leaf burn, etc. On occasion it will cause structural problems in soil. Treatment of these soils are the same with all three.

Testing for Soil Salinity Problems

How to measure soil salinity? For an accurate test of the amount of Na in soil, samples must be sent to a lab that handles soil salinity problems. The results are obtained by performing an electrical conductivity test. The more Na ions are in the solution, the better it conducts electricity. Electrical conductivity results are measured in units such as deciSeimens per metre or dS/m. It is then compared to known results. For example, rain water, has a conductivity of 0.02-0.05 dS/m, while ocean water has a conductivity of 50-60 dS/m.

Using Gypsum to Correct Soil Salinity Problems

We correct soil salinity problems by applying a product containing calcium. The least expensive and most often used product is “gypsum”. Gypsum works fairly quickly as it reacts with the sodium. It can even be applied on waterlogged soil.

Irrigation and Soil Salinity

Water is the carrier that takes Na to deeper soil levels. Sometimes the deeper soil a foot or more below the surface, may be collecting the sodium and may become sodic at that level. If this happens, the downward movement of water stops at the affected level and begins moving horizontally. It may take a while for the gypsum to affect the deeper soil levels.

How Gypsum Works

The Calcium (Ca) in gypsum replaces the salt while the sulfate in gypsum reacts with the sodium forming sodium sulfate. Sodium sulfate is a highly water-soluble material that is easily leached below the root zone. This process also repairs soil structure so soil particles can bind with each other again. For severe cases the process may take several seasons.

The amount of gypsum applied will be determined by a soil test. Test results will often indicate applications of 1 ton to 10 tons per acre. On average, for moderate to severe damage, gypsum can be applied as much as 50 lbs per 1000 sq.ft. Gypsum doesn't work well as a preventitive before damage occurs because the elements break down.

Gypsum comes in different purities with the most being 100% pure. It is not uncommon for feed store varieties to be around 60% pure. Lower quality gypsum means more will need to be applied for the same results. It is best when perform along with core aeration so the gypsum to get below the surface.

Without a soil test, apply no less than 10 lbs per 1000 sq.ft. Less than that will do no good. However, do not apply more than 50 lbs per 1000 sq. ft at a time. Water heavily to activate and to promote leaching.

Another method for correcting salinity problems is with sulfuric acid. It melts the lime already in the soil and makes its own gypsum. Sulfuric acid requires that lime (calcium) be present, or if not, limestone can be added at the time. Probably the easiest method is to use gypsum.