Risk of Salinization in the Agricultural Soils of Semi-Arid Regions: A Case Study from Moldavian Plain (NE Romania)

In the present study, salinization trends of different soil types from a small hydrographic basin situated in NE Romania (Roșior basin) are investigated. The climatic conditions favorable for long dry summers and intensive evaporation. soils developed on immature evolved clay sediments, as revealed by geochemical analysis. salinity varies among types, attaining maximum values Solonetz with total dissolved salts (TDS) between 1165.75 to 1881.25 mg/L. aqueous solutions represented natural water solution. hydrogeochemical facies waters change HCO3−—Mg2+ upper SO42−—Na+ middle or lower basin. solution is moderately strongly salinized shows anionic variations HCO3− SO42− studied profiles, whereas Na+ always main cation. concentrations evolve simultaneously. Raman spectroscopic exploration white efflorescences, which occur topsoil, reveals presence thenardite dominant phase. composition results both ionic exchange evaporation processes. nature mineralization summer temperatures two factors that interact promote precipitation. induces negative effects crop nutrition, impacting further yields. this study can be extrapolated larger areas formed Sarmatian sedimentary deposits affected