Search for Articles:
Title / Keyword
Author / Affiliation / Email
Journal
Article Type
 
 
Advanced Search
 
Section
Special Issue
Volume
Issue
Number
Page
 
5.3
2.9
Journals
Soil Systems
Special Issues
Advances in the Prediction and Remediation of Soil Salinization: 2nd...
share announcement

Advances in the Prediction and Remediation of Soil Salinization: 2nd Edition

A special issue of Soil Systems (ISSN 2571-8789).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 December 2025 | Viewed by 7300

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Mandana Shaygan

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Centre for Water in the Minerals Industry, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
Interests: the rehabilitation of degraded landscapes; the remediation of salt affected land; salinity; water flow and solute transport in porous media; evaporation from porous media
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Mansour Edraki

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Centre for Water in the Minerals Industry, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
Interests: geochemistry; transformations and fate of contaminants, particularly acid and metalliferous drainage (AMD); the sustainable management of mine waste and mine water
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Salinity affects the primary functions of soil and thus impacts terrestrial ecosystems. Current climate change may also increase the risk of soil salinization, e.g., through an increase in the occurrence, duration, and severity of droughts; altered rainfall regimes reducing the leaching potential of salts. Land use changes, such as mining, as well as oil and gas exploration also increase the risk of land salinization. Therefore, the rehabilitation of salt-affected land is required. However, this remains a challenge due to the interdependence and interactions of soil–plant–climate.  

With this Special Issue on ‘Advances in the Prediction and Remediation of Soil Salinization’, we are inviting researchers to submit their views and research findings on this topic. The aim of this Special Issue is to collate relevant research on land salinity from various parts of the world.

This Special Issue will put an emphasis on factors causing salinization, the remediation of saline land, the prediction of salinization and salt movement in porous media in agricultural systems, natural ecosystems, and mining and industrial areas. We invite manuscripts on research which may focus on either laboratory and field studies, as well as numerical modeling studies that support the prediction of salinization, as a result of, for example., climate change or changes in land management. The manuscripts can target specific vegetation or vegetation communities of ecosystems. Studies on the consequences of climate change for the risk of land salinization are also welcome.

Dr. Mandana Shaygan
Dr. Mansour Edraki
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Soil Systems is an international peer-reviewed open access quarterly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 1800 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • climate change and land salinity
  • land salinity across scales
  • prediction of salinization using numerical models
  • new technologies to assess land salinity
  • salinity and mining
  • remediation of salt affected land

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

  • Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
  • Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
  • Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
  • External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
  • Reprint: MDPI Books provides the opportunity to republish successful Special Issues in book format, both online and in print.

Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (6 papers)

Download All Papers
Order results
Result details
Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

19 pages, 7774 KiB  
Article
Spatiotemporal Variations Affect DTPA-Extractable Heavy Metals in Coastal Salt-Affected Soils of Arid Regions
by Mostafa S. El-Komy, Ahmed S. Abuzaid, Mohamed E. Fadl, Marios Drosos, Antonio Scopa and Mohamed S. Abdel-Hai
Soil Syst. 2025, 9(1), 26; https://doi.org/10.3390/soilsystems9010026 - 10 Mar 2025
Viewed by 777
Abstract
The concept of metal bioavailability in soils is increasingly becoming the key to addressing potential risks. Yet, space–time variations of heavy metal concentrations in salt-affected soils is still vague. The current work, therefore, is the first attempt to address spatial and seasonal analyses [...] Read more.
The concept of metal bioavailability in soils is increasingly becoming the key to addressing potential risks. Yet, space–time variations of heavy metal concentrations in salt-affected soils is still vague. The current work, therefore, is the first attempt to address spatial and seasonal analyses of heavy metals in a Mediterranean arid agroecosystem. This study was conducted in a coastal area in northeastern Egypt as an example. The DTPA-extractable concentrations of Cr, Co, Cu, Fe, Pb, Mn, Ni, and Zn in addition to the main properties of 70 georeferenced soil samples (0–30 cm) were determined during the wet (March) and dry (September) seasons. The results revealed that except for Cu, the concentrations of all the determined metals stood below the safe limits. On average, the concentrations of Cu were 4.1- and 5-fold the acceptable limit of 0.20 mg kg−1, respectively. The statistical analysis indicated that seasonal variations greatly affect the concentrations of Mn, Ni, and Zn. Compared with the wet season, significant increases of 1.25, 1.50, and 1.28-fold in the concentrations of these metals occurred during the dry season, respectively. The principal component analysis affirmed that the presence of Cr, Co, Fe, and Ni was closely related to geogenic factors; meanwhile, agronomic practices were likely the main inputs of Cu, Pb, and Zn. The geostatistical analysis illustrated that the geographic variability of Cr, Fe, Mn, and Zn was due to interactions of natural and stochastic processes. Farming practices controlled the spatial variability of Ni, Pb (in the wet period), and Co (in the dry period). The effect of natural processes during the wet period was evident for Cu, which showed strong spatial variability. The kriged maps showed that the concentrations of Co, Fe, and Ni tended to increase seaward and were found to be affected by pH, salt ions, and exchangeable Na+. Moreover, both silt and organic matter content had profound impacts on the spatial distribution of Cr, while the distributions of Cu, Pb, and Zn were linked to that of CaCO3 content. The suggested mechanisms governing metal bioavailability were sorption and complexation with ligands (for Co, Fe, and Ni), redox potential (for Cr), dissolution–precipitation (for Mn), and ion exchange (for Cu, Pb, and Zn). The results of this study affirm that drying–wetting cycles and spatial distribution affect the bioavailability of heavy metals in coastal salt-affected soils of arid regions. These findings imply that seasonality (wet and dry) and spatiality should be considered for monitoring and rehabilitation of degraded soils under similar ecological conditions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in the Prediction and Remediation of Soil Salinization: 2nd Edition)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

18 pages, 3133 KiB  
Article
Addressing Soil Fertility Challenges in Arid Agriculture: A Two-Year Evaluation of Combined Soil Organic Amendments Under Saline Irrigation
by Houda Oueriemmi, Rahma Inès Zoghlami, Elie Le Guyader, Fatma Mekki, Yosra Suidi, Ali Bennour, Mohamed Moussa, Mahtali Sbih, Sarra Saidi, Xavier Morvan and Mohamed Ouessar
Soil Syst. 2025, 9(1), 16; https://doi.org/10.3390/soilsystems9010016 - 14 Feb 2025
Viewed by 844
Abstract
Background: Soil salinity poses a significant threat to agricultural lands by adversely affecting soil properties, crop productivity, and, consequently, global food security. This study evaluated the effects of date palm waste compost (C), applied alone or combined with biochar (BCC) or Ramial chipped [...] Read more.
Background: Soil salinity poses a significant threat to agricultural lands by adversely affecting soil properties, crop productivity, and, consequently, global food security. This study evaluated the effects of date palm waste compost (C), applied alone or combined with biochar (BCC) or Ramial chipped wood (RCWC), on soil properties and barley yield under arid and saline conditions. Methods: A field experiment was performed in a completely random design with three replications. In addition to the unamended soil (control), treatments with compost (C), biochar + compost (BCC) and Ramial chipped wood + compost (RCWC) were tested. We monitored soil physico-chemical parameters, straw biomass, grain yield, and soluble sugar levels over two crop seasons. Results: All treatments enhanced soil fertility. However, the sodium adsorption ratio (SAR) and the cation ratio of soil structural stability (CROSS) increased in soils amended with compost alone in the second crop year. Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) cultivated in soil amended with C and BCC produced 28% and 37% more dry biomass, respectively, in the second year, while no significant effects were observed in the first year. This may be attributed to the higher availability of nutrient content (N and P) in soils during the second year. In the first year, plants amended with BCC exhibited the highest accumulation of sucrose and fructose, with increases of up to 39% and 66%, respectively. Conclusions: Compost application did not affect barley yield during the first crop year, highlighting limited effects on soil fertility. However, C and BCC improved barley yield in the second year after application. No synergistic effect was observed between biochar, Ramial chipped wood, and compost. Future Perspective: Further studies should focus on the long-term effects of organic soil management, including salinity issues, to support sustainable agriculture in arid regions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in the Prediction and Remediation of Soil Salinization: 2nd Edition)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

17 pages, 1627 KiB  
Article
Revegetation and Quality Indicators of Technosols in Restored Mine Fields with Saline Mine Spoils
by Àngela D. Bosch-Serra, Mónica Sorribas, Pere Gómez-Reig and Rosa M. Poch
Soil Syst. 2025, 9(1), 7; https://doi.org/10.3390/soilsystems9010007 - 19 Jan 2025
Viewed by 742
Abstract
The European Union prioritizes nature restoration, particularly in semiarid Mediterranean regions where integrating degraded coal mining areas into the landscape is essential. This involves maximizing water use and controlling runoff. A rehabilitation project in a former mining quarry was conducted with the objective [...] Read more.
The European Union prioritizes nature restoration, particularly in semiarid Mediterranean regions where integrating degraded coal mining areas into the landscape is essential. This involves maximizing water use and controlling runoff. A rehabilitation project in a former mining quarry was conducted with the objective of constructing suitable Technosols to support vegetation, limit erosion, and reduce rehabilitation costs. To prepare the substrate, mine spoils (saline materials) were mixed with residual materials, including discarded lignite powder, sewage sludge, pig slurry, and straw. Pig slurry was also introduced as a mulch in the experiment. A complete randomized block design with three replicates was set up, with each block containing two plots of the prepared substrate. In one of the plots, pig slurry was applied on the surface as a mulch to enhance infiltration and promote plant establishment. The quality of the newly created Technosols and the benefits of mulch application were evaluated 2 and 4 years after the rehabilitation. After two years, salt-tolerant plant species colonized the rehabilitated areas, providing sufficient vegetation cover to control water, soil, and nutrient losses, keeping soil losses below a 2.2 Mg ha−1 yr−1 threshold. Four years later, the new Technosols showed a fourfold increase in soluble organic-C content (up to 0.59 g kg−1) and higher soil respiration rates compared to the mine spoils and lignite powder in the surrounding degraded quarry areas. No significant differences were observed in any parameters due to superficial slurry application. Addressing salinity and optimizing vegetation cover are crucial for the successful formation and sustainability of Technosols in these environments. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in the Prediction and Remediation of Soil Salinization: 2nd Edition)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

18 pages, 10159 KiB  
Article
Predicting Soil Salinity Based on Soil/Water Extracts in a Semi-Arid Region of Morocco
by Jamal-Eddine Ouzemou, Ahmed Laamrani, Ali El Battay and Joann K. Whalen
Soil Syst. 2025, 9(1), 3; https://doi.org/10.3390/soilsystems9010003 - 8 Jan 2025
Viewed by 1621
Abstract
Soil salinity is a major constraint to soil health and crop productivity, especially in arid and semi-arid regions. The most accurate measurement of soil salinity is considered to be the electrical conductivity of saturated soil extracts (ECe). Because this method is [...] Read more.
Soil salinity is a major constraint to soil health and crop productivity, especially in arid and semi-arid regions. The most accurate measurement of soil salinity is considered to be the electrical conductivity of saturated soil extracts (ECe). Because this method is labor-intensive, it is unsuitable for routine analysis in large soil sampling campaigns. This study aimed to identify the best models to estimate soil salinity based on ECe in relation to a rapid electrical conductivity (EC) measurement in soil/water (referred to as S:W henceforward) extracts. We evaluated the relationship between ECe and the ECS:W extract ratios (1:1, 1:2, and 1:5) in salt-affected soils from the semi-arid Sehb El Masjoune region of Morocco. The soil salinity in this region is 0.5 to 235 dS/m, as determined by the ECe method. A total of 125 soil samples, from topsoil (0–15 cm) and subsoil (15–30 cm) with mainly fine to medium textures, were analyzed using linear, logarithmic, and second-order polynomial regression models. The models included all samples or grouped samples according to soil texture (fine, medium) or specific textural classes. The mean ECe values were 2.6, 3.1, and 7.9 times greater than the EC of 1:1, 1:2, and 1:5 S:W extracts, respectively. Polynomial regression models had the best predictive accuracy, R2 = 0.98, and the lowest root mean square error of 10.6 to 10.7 dS/m for the ECS:W extract ratios of 1:5 and 1:2. The polynomial models could represent the non-linear relationships between ECe and salinity indicators, especially in the 80–170 dS/m salinity range, where other models typically underestimate the salinity. These results confirm that advanced regression techniques are suitable for predicting soil salinity in a salt-affected semi-arid region. The site-specific models outperformed previously published models, because they consider the spatial variability and heterogeneity of the salinity in the study area explicitly. This confirms the importance of calibrating soil salinity models according to the local soil and environmental conditions. Consequently, we can undertake soil salinity assessments in hundreds of samples by using the simple, rapid ECS:W extraction method as a direct indicator of EC and extrapolate to ECe with a polynomial regression model. Our approach enables the widespread soil salinity assessments that are needed for land-use planning, irrigation management, and crop selection in salt-affected landscapes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in the Prediction and Remediation of Soil Salinization: 2nd Edition)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

13 pages, 2165 KiB  
Article
Phaseolus vulgaris (L.) Growth Promotion by Cladosporium halotolerans Inoculation Under Salinity Stress
by Samah Alzahrani, Azhar Najjar, Samah Noor, Nidal M. Zabermawi, Shaza Y. Qattan, Shahira A. Hassoubah, Rania M. Makki and Manal El-Zohri
Soil Syst. 2024, 8(4), 135; https://doi.org/10.3390/soilsystems8040135 - 23 Dec 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1002
Abstract
Salinization induced by salt stress is a critical environmental factor, and limits the expansion of agricultural areas and population distribution in continental regions, including Saudi Arabia. Common beans, a vital source of protein, energy, and dietary fibers, are negatively affected by salt stress. [...] Read more.
Salinization induced by salt stress is a critical environmental factor, and limits the expansion of agricultural areas and population distribution in continental regions, including Saudi Arabia. Common beans, a vital source of protein, energy, and dietary fibers, are negatively affected by salt stress. In this research, the endophytic fungus Cladosporium halotolerans was utilized to remediate saline soils and enhance common bean growth and resilience. The results of this study demonstrated that soil treatment with C. halotolerans enhances the soil properties by decreasing soil pH and increasing soil organic matter content under saline conditions. Inoculation by C. halotolerans also significantly improved plant growth parameters, induced systemic resistance to salinity, and increased the levels of chlorophyll b and carotenoids. Fungal inoculation also causes stress relief as indicated by reducing malondialdehyde concentration by 27.4% lower than stressed plants. Microscopic images revealed the active association and colonization of C. halotolerans within the roots of the Phaseolus vulgaris both under control and saline conditions. Therefore, utilizing endophytic fungi C. halotolerans for saline soil remediation appears to be a promising alternative in plant treatments, highlighting their potential as valuable resources for both research and commercial applications under salinity stress. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in the Prediction and Remediation of Soil Salinization: 2nd Edition)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

27 pages, 4005 KiB  
Article
Options for Intensification of Cropping System in Coastal Saline Ecosystem: Inclusion of Grain Legumes in Rice-Based Cropping System
by Sukamal Sarkar, Koushik Brahmachari, Donald S. Gaydon, Anannya Dhar, Saikat Dey and Mohammed Mainuddin
Soil Syst. 2024, 8(3), 90; https://doi.org/10.3390/soilsystems8030090 - 14 Aug 2024
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1323
Abstract
The coastal saline zone of West Bengal in India is the home to millions of the world’s poorest and most vulnerable people. Due to a gradual increase in salt accumulation on soils of the coastal saline zone of West Bengal in India from [...] Read more.
The coastal saline zone of West Bengal in India is the home to millions of the world’s poorest and most vulnerable people. Due to a gradual increase in salt accumulation on soils of the coastal saline zone of West Bengal in India from winter to summer days, cultivation of the second crop in the winter season becomes possible in a limited area. To address these issues, field experiments was conducted in rainy and winter seasons of 2016–17 and 2017–18 at the farmer’s field of the coastal saline zone (CSZ) of West Bengal, India. The experiment was carried out to study the system productivity, nutrient uptake, and profitability vis-à-vis salinity dynamics of the crops in rice-pulse-based cropping systems under different land elevations (medium upland and medium lowland). The experiment was conducted in a strip-split plot design having horizontal factors namely, Factor A: Six dates of sowing of rice at an interval of one week (2nd week of June to 3rd week of July), Factor B: Two land situations (medium upland and medium lowland) and Two Cropping Systems (Rice-Lathyrus and Rice-Lentil) as vertical factor, replicated four times. The results suggest that irrespective of land situation, early sown rice (15 June to 21 June) produces higher dry matter and grain yield compared to late sown crops. This early sowing of rice also facilitated the better performance of subsequent lathyrus and lentil, by avoiding the worst situation of the salinity build-up and drought stress later in the winter. Moreover, significantly higher productions were obtained from medium-lowland situations for both the cropping systems. Sowing date has also significantly influenced macro-nutrient uptake (NPK) by rice and pulse grains. It may be concluded that early sowing of rice may be a potential option for intensification of rice-pulse-based cropping systems under CSZ of West Bengal, India. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in the Prediction and Remediation of Soil Salinization: 2nd Edition)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:
 
Displaying articles 1-6
Back to TopTop