Salinization

Definition

Salinization is the process of increasing salt concentration in soil, usually due to excessive irrigation or poor drainage. It can negatively impact plant growth and agricultural productivity.

Analogy

Imagine you have a glass of water with a few grains of salt dissolved in it. If you keep adding more salt without drinking any water, eventually the glass will become too salty to drink from.

Related terms

Desalination: This term refers to the process of removing salt and other minerals from seawater or brackish water to make it suitable for human consumption or irrigation.

Soil Degradation: This term refers to any negative change in soil quality that reduces its ability to support healthy plant growth, which can include salinization.

Leaching: This term refers to the process of washing out salts or other substances from soil by applying excess water that carries them away.