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What is an adjusted SAR?

April 26, 2017Adjusted SAR

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What is an adjusted SAR?

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The SAR of groundwater and soil water may need to be adjusted to account for changes in the chemistry of the water when it comes in contact with soil. This change can be caused by calcium precipitation. The actual concentration of calcium in soil water may be lower (or sometimes higher) than that of the irrigation water. In soils, dissolved calcium ions will become insoluble in the presence of the carbonate (CO3-) in the applied water. Calcium and carbonate combine to form limestone. Thus, following irrigation, the concentration of soluble calcium in the soil might be lower than that of the irrigation water. It is generally safe to assume that the SAR experienced by the soil will be 10-25% greater than the SAR of the irrigation water, due primarily to calcium precipitation.