Salinity, Sodicity, and Exchangeable Cations of Soils from an Arid Region at Misurata Libya: Treated Wastewater Irrigation Impacts

Abstract

This study explores the effects of treated wastewater (TWW) irrigation on soil salinity, sodicity, and cation composition. The research also included the association of some soil parameters. Soil samples taken from three horizons (Ap, B, and C) of six TWW-irrigated profiles (29 years of TWW-irrigation) and six other profiles (A, B, and C) from adjacent non-irrigated areas (dry-control). The characterization of the soil has shown that soils are slightly alkaline and sandy textured. The results also demonstrate a significantly higher sodium adsorption ratio (SAR), salinity (EC), and exchangeable sodium percent (ESP) of the TWW-irrigation profiles in comparison with control profiles. For exchangeable-Ca, the effect of TWW-irrigation on soil cations was most evident where exchangeable-Ca ranged 1.8 to 2.7 times the exchangeable-Ca in non-irrigated areas (dry-control). Exchangeable cations with a clay% and EC with a Cl content significantly correlated. The EC, SAR, pH, and ESP were both below the limits and had no sodicity or salinity issues in the TWW irrigation areas of Misurata.