Salinization

     This experiment showed the effects of salt levels in soil. Six bags were gathered and 5 seeds were placed in each bag. The seeds were placed on a paper towel to help absorb the water solutions and help the seeds grow. Each lab table made a water solution using 120mL of water and the given original table salt (NaCl) amount (0g, 0.5g, 1g, 2g, 3g, 4g, and 5g), but these salt amounts were changed because they were only correct in 100mL of water so each table had to convert their salt amount to add the correct amount for a 120mL solution by using the original amount/ 100mL times Xg/ 120mL. The added amounts of salts to the 120mL waters were, 0g, 0.6g, 1.2g, 2.4g, 3.6g, 4.8g, and 6g. Each solution was mixed thoroughly and then 20mL of the solution was poured into each bag and then one bag was given to each lab table so that each table would end up with a bag of each salt concentration. The bags were zipped shut and were left alone for about a week.

This is the 0g concentration after a week, which showed the most growth

0.5g concentration after a week

1g concentration after a week

2g concentration after a week

3g concentration after a week

4g concentration after a week

5g concentration after a week

     The control had the most growth, while the oner solutions had no growth visible. This means that the more salt in the soil, the less growth the plant will have. All areas that have irrigation will experience this soil salinization problem and may have less grown plants because the salt is getting into the soils.

     Overly salted soils can be remediated by amending the salty soil with sulfur, lime, or calcium because they will help remove/replace the sodium in the soil. Soil tests must be ran to find out how much sulfur, lime, or calcium to add.