Correlation between geochemical, mineralogical and physical characters of sediments and salinization phenomena in a pilot area in the ionian plain (Southern Italy)

Abstract

Superficial and sub-superficial soils affected by salinization were studied on a pilot site on an Ionian coastal plain in Basilicata, Southern Italy. Grain-size, mineralogical, and geochemical features favouring soil degradation were analyzed. This study identifies the main mechanisms for triggering soil salinization, including electrical conductivity which provide a physical marker by measuring the level of salinization and silty grain component size and halite and/or chlorite percentages provided compositional markers. A critical depth of about 20 cm was identified, impacting the downward diffusion mechanism of the superficial salt and a possible chloritization of smectite from/by soluble magnesium relating to saline water-soil interaction from weathering processes.

Keywords:

• electrical conductivity
• fine sediment
• grain size
• land degradation
• mineralogy

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank the Administrative Basilicata Region for having financed these activities and the referees for their important suggestions to improve the quality of this study.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interests was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

Supported by PRO-Land project - “Assestment methodologies for controlling land degradation processes and impacts on the environment” (Programma Operativo FESR-Basilicata 2007-2013), Basilicata Region, Italy.