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Soil salinity in Aceh after the December 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami

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  • McLeod, M.K.
  • Slavich, P.G.
  • Irhas, Y.
  • Moore, N.
  • Rachman, A.
  • Ali, N.
  • Iskandar, T.
  • Hunt, C.
  • Caniago, C.

Abstract

The 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami inundated about 37,500ha of coastal farmland in Aceh, and crops planted after the tsunami were severely affected by soil salinity. This paper describes the changes of soil salinity over time on tsunami affected farms and the implications for resuming crop production after natural disasters. Soil salinity and salt leaching processes were assessed across the tsunami affected region by measuring soil apparent electrical conductivity (ECa) using an electromagnetic induction soil conductivity instrument (EM38) combined with limited soil analysis. The ECa was measured 5 times between August 2005 and December 2007 in both the vertical (EMv) and horizontal (EMh) dipole orientations at 23 sites across Aceh. The level of salinity and direction of salt movement were assessed by comparing changes in mean profile ECa and relative changes in EMv and EMh. Eight months after the tsunami the average soil salinity in the 0-1.2m soil depth varied from ECe 22.6 to 1.6dSm-1 across sites in the affected region and three years after the tsunami it varied from 13.0 to 1.4dSm-1. Soil salinity tended to be higher in rice paddy areas that trapped saline tsunami sediments and held seawater for longer periods. Leaching of salts occurred slowly by both vertical displacement and horizontal movement in surface waters. Hence, soil salinity persisted at a level which could reduce crop production for several years after the 2004 tsunami. High soil salinity persisted three years after the tsunami even though there had been more than 3000-7000mm of accumulated rainfall to leach salts. The slow leaching is likely to have been due to the loss of functional drainage systems and general low relief of the affected areas. Monitoring of soil salinity with EM38 assisted local agricultural extension agencies to identify sites that were too saline for crops and determine when they were suitable for cropping again. The methodology used in this study could be used after similar disasters where coastal agriculture areas become inundated by seawater from storm surges or future tsunamis.

Suggested Citation

  • McLeod, M.K. & Slavich, P.G. & Irhas, Y. & Moore, N. & Rachman, A. & Ali, N. & Iskandar, T. & Hunt, C. & Caniago, C., 2010. "Soil salinity in Aceh after the December 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 97(5), pages 605-613, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:agiwat:v:97:y:2010:i:5:p:605-613
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Bennett, D. L. & George, R. J., 1995. "Using the EM38 to measure the effect of soil salinity on Eucalyptus globulus in south-western Australia," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 27(1), pages 69-85, April.
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    1. repec:ags:phajad:199093 is not listed on IDEAS
    2. Witold Szczuciński, 2012. "The post-depositional changes of the onshore 2004 tsunami deposits on the Andaman Sea coast of Thailand," Natural Hazards: Journal of the International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, Springer;International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, vol. 60(1), pages 115-133, January.
    3. Tinning, Gavin, 2011. "The Role of Agriculture in Recovery Following Natural Disasters: A Focus on Post-Tsunami Recovery in Aceh, Indonesia," Asian Journal of Agriculture and Development, Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA), vol. 8(1), pages 1-20, June.

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