How the soils become saline?
Soils can be saline due to geo-historical processes or they can be manmade.Geo-historically formed saline soils can be found along the seacoast, at lakesides, or in dry lands that were previously under marine or lacustrine conditions. Man made saline soils are mostly found in (semi)arid lands as the result of the introduction of irrigation for agriculture. A number of factors which may be geological, climatic and hydrological in nature, are involved in the formation of salt-affected soils. The main causes include (i) weathering of rocks and salt brought down from upstream areas to the plains and their subsequent deposition along with alluvial material, which is responsible for primary salinity; (ii) capillary rise from subsoil salt beds or shallow brackish groundwater; (iii) impeded drainage; (iv) intrusion of seawater along the coast; and (v) salt laden sand blown by sea winds.
