Salt water can get into soil primarily through the upward movement of salty groundwater, especially when the water table rises.
Here's a breakdown of the process:
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Rising Water Table: When the water table rises (for example, due to excessive irrigation without adequate drainage), it can bring salty groundwater closer to the surface.
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Capillary Action: As the salty groundwater gets closer to the surface, capillary action (the ability of water to move up through narrow spaces in the soil) draws the water upward into the root zone and topsoil layers.
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Evaporation and Salt Accumulation: As the water evaporates from the soil surface, the salts dissolved in the water are left behind. Over time, this process can lead to a significant buildup of salt in the upper layers of the soil, a process known as salinization.
In summary, salty groundwater ascends to the upper soil layers via a rising water table and capillary action, leaving salt behind as the water evaporates.
