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Risk of Salinization in the Agricultural Soils of Semi-Arid Regions: A Case Study from Moldavian Plain (NE Romania)

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  • Cristina Oana Stan

    (Department of Geology, Faculty of Geography and Geology, “Alexandru Ioan Cuza” University of Iași, 20A ‘Carol I’ Blvd, 700505 Iași, Romania
    Geographic Research Center, Iași Branch, Romanian Academy, 8 ‘Carol I’ Blvd, 700505 Iași, Romania)

  • Radu Gabriel Pîrnău

    (Geographic Research Center, Iași Branch, Romanian Academy, 8 ‘Carol I’ Blvd, 700505 Iași, Romania)

  • Bogdan Roșca

    (Geographic Research Center, Iași Branch, Romanian Academy, 8 ‘Carol I’ Blvd, 700505 Iași, Romania)

  • Doina Smaranda Sirbu-Radasanu

    (Department of Geology, Faculty of Geography and Geology, “Alexandru Ioan Cuza” University of Iași, 20A ‘Carol I’ Blvd, 700505 Iași, Romania)

Abstract

In the present study, the salinization trends of different soil types from a small hydrographic basin situated in NE Romania (Roșior basin) are investigated. The climatic conditions are favorable for long dry summers and intensive evaporation. The soils are developed on immature evolved clay sediments, as revealed by geochemical analysis. The salinity varies among soil types, attaining maximum values for Solonetz with total dissolved salts (TDS) between 1165.75 to 1881.25 mg/L. The aqueous solutions are represented by natural water and soil solution. The hydrogeochemical facies of the natural waters change from HCO 3 − —Mg 2+ in the upper basin to SO 4 2− —Na + in the middle or lower basin. The soil solution is moderately or strongly salinized and shows anionic variations from HCO 3 − to SO 4 2− in the studied profiles, whereas Na + is always the main cation. The concentrations of Na + and SO 4 2− evolve simultaneously. Raman spectroscopic exploration of the white efflorescences, which occur on topsoil, reveals the presence of thenardite as the dominant phase. The composition of soil solution results from both the ionic exchange and evaporation processes. The nature of soil solution mineralization and summer temperatures are two main factors that interact and promote the thenardite precipitation. The soil salinization induces negative effects on crop nutrition, impacting further the crop yields. The results of this study can be extrapolated to larger areas formed on Sarmatian sedimentary deposits affected by salinization processes.

Suggested Citation

  • Cristina Oana Stan & Radu Gabriel Pîrnău & Bogdan Roșca & Doina Smaranda Sirbu-Radasanu, 2022. "Risk of Salinization in the Agricultural Soils of Semi-Arid Regions: A Case Study from Moldavian Plain (NE Romania)," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(24), pages 1-17, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:14:y:2022:i:24:p:17056-:d:1008445
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Sheng Li & Li Lu & Yuan Gao & Yun Zhang & Deyou Shen, 2022. "An Analysis on the Characteristics and Influence Factors of Soil Salinity in the Wasteland of the Kashgar River Basin," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(6), pages 1-15, March.
    2. Anand Kumar & Alpa Yadav & Parmdeep Singh Dhanda & Anil Kumar Delta & Meenakshi Sharma & Prashant Kaushik, 2022. "Salinity Stress and the Influence of Bioinoculants on the Morphological and Biochemical Characteristics of Faba Bean ( Vicia faba L.)," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(21), pages 1-15, November.
    3. Hikmet Günal & Tayfun Korucu & Marta Birkas & Engin Özgöz & Rares Halbac-Cotoara-Zamfir, 2015. "Threats to Sustainability of Soil Functions in Central and Southeast Europe," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 7(2), pages 1-28, February.
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