Potential management practices of saltwater intrusion impacts on soil health and water quality: a review

Abstract

Several studies have documented the multifaceted impacts of climate change and variability on agricultural and environmental sustainability, and social and economic development. Climate change and variability contribute to increased warmer conditions, increased frequency of heavy rain that accounts for an increasing proportion of total rainfall, extreme weather characterized by spatially variable cycles of drought and wetness, increased frequency of tropical storms/hurricanes, increased frequency of storm surges, and accelerated rate of sea-level rise (SLR). As SLR continues, it is expected that salinity due to saltwater intrusion (SWI) will impact soil health and agricultural production. As such, the significant threats of salinity necessitate more work to be done to better understand its impact on soil health and associated functional ecosystem processes. This is of even greater importance in areas such as South Florida where the surface and groundwater resources are hydrologically connected due to the shallow and highly permeable limestone soils. A better understanding of the impacts of salinity due to SWI on soil health is critical to design effective mitigation strategies. Healthy soil has multifaceted benefits to enhance agricultural productivity, i.e. regulates the flow of water; serves as a source and sink of nutrients; minimizes greenhouse gas emissions and provides optimal biological and chemical conditions for the transformation of nutrients into plant-available forms. Improved understanding of the processes and impacts of SWI on soil health will assist in guiding management decisions and policies to mitigate the impacts of SWI and salinity on agricultural soils. This review paper provides a comprehensive overview of the impacts of SWI and soil salinity on agricultural soil health and water quality. HIGHLIGHTS Climate change poses a serious threat to agricultural land use and soil health.; Soil salinity affects soil–water–plant relationships.; Soil amendments (e.g., biochar, hydrogel, organic mulch, and gypsum) can be used to improve soil health.; Climate change impacts are multifaceted and integrated mitigation strategies should be adopted.; Salt water intrusion could result in increased nutrient solubility and transformation, which could lead to increased nutrient loading to freshwater resources.;

Keywords

• agriculture
• climate change
• salinity
• saltwater intrusion
• sea-level rise
• soil health