S alt licks and solonchaks: what is the difference between their features, specifics of application

In different areas, the soil is different in composition. The land may be fertile or extremely difficult to cultivate. Sometimes the soil is too saturated with mineral s alts that come to the surface or are contained in the depths. Such areas are not suitable for growing plants without additional measures. What is the difference between s alt marshes and s alt licks, today's conversation is about this.

Features of solonchaks

Soils saturated with easily soluble s alts (from 1%) in the upper layer are called solonchaks. In such areas, there is no vegetation at all, or halophytes grow - plants that need a high s alt content in the soil.

For the formation of s alt marshes requires a high content of mineral s alts in groundwater, combined with an arid climate. With a small amount of precipitation, s alts simply do not have time to wash out of the soil. Sometimes minerals are too close to the surface, and groundwater is deep.

Important: irresponsible human activity can lead to the formation of s alt marshes.

In this case, at a shallow depth, under a layer of "dead" soil, the remains of dense vegetation are found. There are such sites on all terrestrial continents; the amount of s alt depends on which plants survive on earth. The mineral lies on the surface of the soil in the form of a white or grayish friable powder or forms a dense crust. If the salinity of the soil is not too high, such areas are used for pastures for livestock.

Classification of solonchaks

Distinguish between automorphic and hydromorphic solonchaks. On automorphic soils, minerals with a high s alt content come to the surface, while groundwater occurs deeper than 10 meters from the surface. This is a natural formation that does not depend on external conditions or human activities.

Hydromorphic s alt marshes depend on water circulation and are divided into several types:

1. Typical. Generic name, meaning the site has no distinguishing features.
2. Meadow. Can temporarily form when the level of minerals in the soil increases. There is a significant fertile layer (humus), which allows, with a decrease in salinity, to cover the area with dense grass. S alt levels fluctuate several times a season.
3. Marsh. Formed when swamps dry up. A peat layer is found on the site. Possible presence of typical marsh vegetation.
4. Sorovye. Occur on the site of dry lakes. Precipitation fills the bowl; in its absence, moisture evaporates, exposing the bottom, covered with a crust. The lake dries up until next season. Typical for the Central Asian region.
5. Mud-volcanic. They are formed near volcanoes, near deposits of mineral waters. The abundance of s alts in such water is the reason for their occurrence.
6. Bumpy or chokolaki. They are characterized by the formation of hills (up to 2 meters high) on a flat surface of the site.

All hydromorphic species are characterized by close occurrence of groundwater.

What is the difference between solonetzes and solonchaks

Solonzes are called areas with deep occurrence of sodium or magnesium s alts. They arise on the sites of ancient seas or former deposits of mineral waters. S alt in this case never reaches the surface layer.

It is difficult to grow anything on such soil. The sites need chemical reclamation: the introduction of substances containing acids, calcium s alts, and trivalent cations into the solonetz. Additionally, they produce snow retention, frequent loosening of the soil, and form a fertile layer due to imported soil.

It is difficult to grow anything on such soil. This requires a lot of work and investment, high-quality melioration. The improved soil is suitable for growing forage grasses, berries and fruit trees, and is used as pasture.

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