Showing papers on "Saline water published in 2016"

Plant growth promoting bacteria confer salt tolerance in Vigna radiata by up-regulating antioxidant defense and biological soil fertility

Abstract: Salinity, a frequently occurring abiotic stress, is a major constraint for crop productivity worldwide. The present study was conducted to evaluate the ability of plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) Bacillus cereus Pb25, isolated from soil irrigated with saline water, to promote Vigna radiate (mungbean) growth in the absence and presence of salt stress (9 dS m−1). Results demonstrated that B. cereus promoted V. radiate plant growth significantly even in the presence of salt. Inoculations with PGPR improved the plant growth, and increased the root, shoot fresh and dry biomass and yield as compared to plants with no bacterial treatment (control). Results showed that both chlorophyll content and plant growth were inhibited by saline stress and the salt-induced oxidative damage (measured by MDA, H2O2) was alleviated by PGPR inoculation. Furthermore, PGPR inoculation significantly increased the antioxidant enzymes (POD, SOD and CAT) activities and enhanced the accumulation of proline, potassium, nitrogen and phosphorus as well as decreased sodium accumulation in saline stressed plants. Regarding the soil biological activity, inoculated PGPR enhanced the activity of dehydrogenase, alkaline phosphatase, microbial biomass carbon, available phosphorus and total organic carbon under saline stress as compared to saline treatment alone. These results suggest that B. cereus can be used in salinized agricultural lands as bio-inoculant to increase crop productivity.

Salinity of deep groundwater in California: Water quantity, quality, and protection.

Abstract: Deep groundwater aquifers are poorly characterized but could yield important sources of water in California and elsewhere. Deep aquifers have been developed for oil and gas extraction, and this activity has created both valuable data and risks to groundwater quality. Assessing groundwater quantity and quality requires baseline data and a monitoring framework for evaluating impacts. We analyze 938 chemical, geological, and depth data points from 360 oil/gas fields across eight counties in California and depth data from 34,392 oil and gas wells. By expanding previous groundwater volume estimates from depths of 305 m to 3,000 m in California's Central Valley, an important agricultural region with growing groundwater demands, fresh [<3,000 ppm total dissolved solids (TDS)] groundwater volume is almost tripled to 2,700 km(3), most of it found shallower than 1,000 m. The 3,000-m depth zone also provides 3,900 km(3) of fresh and saline water, not previously estimated, that can be categorized as underground sources of drinking water (USDWs; <10,000 ppm TDS). Up to 19% and 35% of oil/gas activities have occurred directly in freshwater zones and USDWs, respectively, in the eight counties. Deeper activities, such as wastewater injection, may also pose a potential threat to groundwater, especially USDWs. Our findings indicate that California's Central Valley alone has close to three times the volume of fresh groundwater and four times the volume of USDWs than previous estimates suggest. Therefore, efforts to monitor and protect deeper, saline groundwater resources are needed in California and beyond.

Modeling saline water intrusion in Nagapattinam coastal aquifers, Tamilnadu, India

Abstract: Unexpected mistreatment of groundwater from coastal aquifers may possibly cause salt water intrusion in coastal aquifers. Coastal areas are mostly overpopulated with productive agricultural lands and expanded irrigated farming actions. Field and modeling studies were started to consider the special effects of possible seawater intrusion into the coastal aquifers. Groundwater levels were measured at 61 locations in Nagapattinam and Karaikal coastal region, identified flow direction pointing toward the coast with no major change in groundwater table. Groundwater samples were collected and analyzed for major ionic parameters, represented higher concentration of conductivity, total dissolved solids, sodium and chloride along the coastal parts of the study area. A computer package for the simulation of dimensional variable density groundwater flow, SEAWAT, has been used to model the seawater intrusion in the coastal aquifers of the study area. The model was stimulated to predict the amount of seawater incursion in the study area for a period of 50 years. The simulation results signify saline water intrusion mainly due to up coning of saline water owing to over drafting of groundwater.

Ionic ratios as tracers to assess seawater intrusion and to identify salinity sources in Jazan coastal aquifer, Saudi Arabia

Abstract: The impact of seawater intrusion in coastal aquifers is a major groundwater contamination issue worldwide. The shallow coastal aquifer in Jazan, southwestern part of the Red Sea coast of Saudi Arabia, is vulnerable to salinization by seawater intrusion due to overexploitation. The present study helps to understand the impact of seawater intrusion in Jazan aquifer and to assess and determine the most dominant hydrogeochemical processes controlling the groundwater salinity. For these purposes, 70 groundwater samples have been collected and chemically analyzed for major cations and anions. Based on the analytical results, the groundwater in the study area is generally brackish to saline and alkaline in nature. Chadda’s, Piper, and other bivariate diagrams that presented the geochemical facies of the groundwater showed Na-Cl as the dominant water type followed by Ca/Mg-Cl, thus indicating the influence of saltwater intrusion and inverse cation exchange reactions in the aquifer. Salinity values (EC) of groundwater are highly variable rising from 430 μS/cm in the boreholes located further inland to 13,000 μS/cm close to the coastline (avg 3246 μS/cm) with the majority above 2500 μS/cm indicating significant salinization of groundwater. The contribution of seawater in groundwater varies from less than 0.01 % in the inland areas to 17 % in areas close to the coastline. Moreover, a significant correlation observed between EC with Na+, Cl−, and SO4 2− ions suggests the same source and possible incursion of nearby saline water. The combination of ionic ratios and recorded EC values clearly justifies the view that the main mechanism for salinization is seawater intrusion, where the saline groundwater results from mixing with seawater. Three main strategies were proposed including monitoring and management to help in the long run to reduce and control the deterioration of groundwater quality in the study area.

Effects of Irrigation with Saline Water on Crop Growth and Yield in Greenhouse Cultivation

Abstract: Since the salinity of irrigation water is a critical constraint to the production of certain vegetable crops, salinity has been considered as one of the most important factors of irrigation water. The objective of this study was to investigate the response of lettuce and Chinese cabbage to various salinity levels of irrigation water in greenhouse cultivation. A pot experiment was conducted with different salinities under a glasshouse condition in Korea. A completely randomized experimental design was used with three replications. The analysis results of crop growth and yield of lettuce and Chinese cabbage indicated that the factors that were more significantly affected by saline irrigation water were crop yields rather than crop components such as number of leaves, leaf length, and leaf width. In this study, the point of salt concentration during an increase in salinity levels of irrigation water (ECw) at which yield starts to decline was determined to be 0.9 and 1.5 dS/m for lettuce and Chinese cabbage, respectively. Furthermore, the present study demonstrated that the continuous irrigation of saline water under greenhouse conditions could lead to a significant increase in electric conductivity (ECe) level and Na+ concentration in soil, as well as Na+ concentration in leaves of crops.

Changes in photosynthetic pigments and chlorophyll-a fluorescence attributes of sweet-forage and grain sorghum cultivars under salt stress.

Abstract: Water shortage leads to a low quality of water, especially saline water in most parts of agricultural regions. This experiment was designed to determine the effects of saline irrigation on sorghum as a moderately salt-tolerant crop. To study salinity effects on photosynthetic pigment attributes including the chlorophyll content and chlorophyll fluorescence, an experiment was performed in a climate-controlled greenhouse at two vegetative and reproductive stages. The experimental design was factorial based on a completely randomized design with five NaCl concentrations (control, 50, 100, 150, and 200 mM), two grain and sweet-forage sorghum cultivars (Kimia and Pegah, respectively) and four replications. According to the experimental data, there were no significant differences between two grain and sweet-forage cultivars. Except for 100 and 150 mM NaCl, salinity significantly decreased the chlorophyll index and pigment contents of the leaf, while it increased the chlorophyll-a fluorescence characteristics. Although salinity reduced photosynthetic pigments and the crop yield, either grain or sweet-forage cultivars could significantly control the effect of salinity between 100 and 150 mM NaCl at both developmental stages, showing the possibility of using saline water in sorghum cultivation up to 150 mM NaCl.

The ecohydrological imprint of deforestation in the semiarid Chaco: Insights from the last forest remnants of a highly cultivated landscape

Abstract: The semiarid Chaco plains present one of the highest rates of forest clearing and agricultural expansion of the world. In other semiarid plains, such massive vegetation replacements initiated a groundwater recharge and salt mobilization process that, after decades, raised regional water tables and salts to the surface, degrading agricultural and natural ecosystems. Indirect evidence suggests that this process (known as dryland salinity) began in the Chaco plains. Multiple approaches (deep soil profiles, geoelectric surveys and monitoring of groundwater salinity, level and isotopic composition) were combined to assess the dryland salinity status in one of the oldest and most active agricultural hotspots of the region, where isolated forest remnants occupy an extremely flat cultivated matrix. Full vadose moisture and chloride profiles from paired agriculture-forest stands (17 profiles, six sites) revealed the following: a generalized onset of deep drainage with cultivation (32 to >87 mm year−1), full leaching of native chloride pools (13.7 ± 2.5 kg m−2) down to the water table after >40 years following clearing and differential groundwater table rises (0.7 to 2 m shallower water tables under agriculture than under neighbouring forests). Continuous level monitoring showed abrupt water table rises under annual crops (up to 2.6 m in 15 days) not seen under forests or pastures. Varying deep drainage rates and groundwater isotopic composition under agricultural plots suggest that these pulses are strongly modulated by crop choices and sequences. In contrast to other dryland salinity-affected areas of the world, forest remnants in the study area (10–20% of the area) are not only surviving the observed hydrological shifts but also sustaining active salty groundwater transpirative discharge, as evidenced by continuous water table records. The overall impact of these forest remnants on lowering neighbouring water tables would be limited by the low hydraulic conductivity of the sediments. As highly cultivated areas of the Chaco evolve to new hydrological conditions of shallower saline water tables, innovative crop rotations that minimize recharge, enhance transpirative discharge and tolerate salinity will be needed. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Managing the Increasing Water Footprint of Hydraulic Fracturing in the Bakken Play, United States

Abstract: The water footprint of oil production, including water used for hydraulic fracturing (HF) and flowback-produced (FP) water, is increasingly important in terms of HF water sourcing and FP water management. Here, we evaluate trends in HF water use relative to supplies and FP water relative to disposal using well by well analysis in the Bakken Play. HF water use per well increased by ∼6 times from 2005–2014, totaling 24.5 × 109 gal (93 × 109 L) for ∼10 140 wells. Water supplies expanded to meet increased demand, including access of up to ∼33 × 109 gal/year (125 × 109 L/year) from Lake Sakakawea, expanding pipeline infrastructure by hundreds of miles and allowing water transfers from irrigation. The projected inventory of ∼60 000 future wells should require an additional ∼11 times more HF water. Cumulative FP water has been managed by disposal into an increasing number (277 to 479) of salt water disposal wells. FP water is projected to increase by ∼10 times during the play lifetime (∼40 years). Disposal of FP...

Effect of saline irrigation water on the leachability of salts, growth and chemical composition of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) in saline-sodic soil supplemented with phosphorus and potassium

Abstract: Salinity-fertility interaction has not been properly explored especially in saline-sodic soils. Therefore, the current study investigated the response of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) to saline irrigation water in saline-sodic soil supplemented with potassium (K) and phosphorus (P). Wheat was grown in pots filled with saline-sodic soil which were irrigated either with normal or saline water. Potassium and P fertilizers were applied at two levels. Results indicated that growth of wheat plants was impaired by saline irrigation resulting in a decreased grain and dry matter yield. The P application had significant effect on the dry matter yield and other yield components. Potassium application significantly increased dry matter yield and root mass. Wheat yield increased by 14 and 7% with the application of 150 kg K2O ha-1 and 120 kg P2O5 ha-1 over the control soil under saline irrigation. The higher yield was obtained with combined P and K treatment under non-saline irrigation. The P addition significantly affected shoot and root [P] and [Na], [K] and [Mg] in the shoot tissue while the K:Na ratio produced non-significant effects under both irrigation waters. The addition of K significantly affected [Na], [K] and K:Na ratio in shoot. All other root parameters were significantly affected by the K addition. The Ca uptake by roots increased with saline irrigation. The P addition increased [P] in plant tissue. The Na uptake by root and shoot tissues was depressed with the addition of P and K fertilizers. The higher K uptake increased K:Na ratio in both shoot and root tissues. The values of EC, SAR and [P], [Na], [Ca], [Mg], [Cl] and ratios of Na:K, Ca:P, Cl:P and SO4:P in the soil leachates significantly increased with saline irrigation. The P addition had significant bearing on the soil pH, SAR, [P], [SO4], [CO3] and [HCO3] and Ca:P, Cl:P and SO4:P ratios in leachates. Saline irrigation significantly increased ECe, [Na], [K], [Ca], [Mg], [Cl], [CO3], SAR and ratios of Ca:P, Cl:P and SO4:Cl in saturated extracts of post-harvest soils. This study could suggest that the addition of P and K under saline-sodic conditions may affect salts and nutrients dynamics of the soil and was useful for crop productivity.

Formation of ‘Crioula’ guava rootstock under saline water irrigation and nitrogen doses

Abstract: The objective of this research was to evaluate the growth and formation of fresh and dry weight of ‘Crioula’ guava rootstock irrigated with waters of different saline levels and nitrogen (N) doses, in an experiment conducted in plastic tubes under greenhouse conditions. The experimental design was randomized blocks, in a 5 x 4 factorial scheme with four replicates, and the treatments consisted of five levels of water electrical conductivity - ECw (0.3, 1.1, 1.9, 2.7 and 3.5 dS m-1) and four N doses (70, 100, 130 and 160% of the N dose recommended for the cultivation of guava seedlings, cv. ‘Paluma’). The dose referring to 100% corresponds to 773 mg of N dm-3. The highest growth of ‘Crioula’ guava rootstock was obtained with ECw of 0.3 dS m-1 and fertilization of 541.1 mg N dm-3 of soil; increasing N doses did not reduce the deleterious effect of the salt stress on the growth and phytomass formation of ‘Crioula’ guava rootstock; irrigation with water of up to 1.75 dS m-1, in the production of guava rootstocks, promotes acceptable reduction of 10% in growth and quality of the seedlings.

Formation and Persistence of Brine on Mars: Experimental Simulations throughout the Diurnal Cycle at the Phoenix Landing Site.

Abstract: In the last few years, water ice and salts capable of melting this ice and producing liquid saline water (brine) have been detected on Mars. Moreover, indirect evidence for brine has been found in multiple areas of the planet. Here, we simulate full diurnal cycles of temperature and atmospheric water vapor content at the Phoenix landing site for the first time and show experimentally that, in spite of the low Mars-like chamber temperature, brine forms minutes after the ground temperature exceeds the eutectic temperature of salts in contact with water ice. Moreover, we show that the brine stays liquid for most of the diurnal cycle when enough water ice is available to compensate for evaporation. This is predicted to occur seasonally in areas of the polar region where the temperature exceeds the eutectic value and frost or snow is deposited on saline soils, or where water ice and salts coexist in the shallow subsurface. This is important because the existence of liquid water is a key requirement fo...

Novel water filtration of saline water in the outermost layer of mangrove roots.

Abstract: The scarcity of fresh water is a global challenge faced at present. Several desalination methods have been suggested to secure fresh water from sea water. However, conventional methods suffer from technical limitations, such as high power consumption, expensive operating costs, and limited system durability. In this study, we examined the feasibility of using halophytes as a novel technology of desalinating high-concentration saline water for long periods. This study investigated the biophysical characteristics of sea water filtration in the roots of the mangrove Rhizophora stylosa from a plant hydrodynamic point of view. R. stylosa can grow even in saline water, and the salt level in its roots is regulated within a certain threshold value through filtration. The root possesses a hierarchical, triple layered pore structure in the epidermis, and most Na(+) ions are filtered at the first sublayer of the outermost layer. The high blockage of Na(+) ions is attributed to the high surface zeta potential of the first layer. The second layer, which is composed of macroporous structures, also facilitates Na(+) ion filtration. This study provides insights into the mechanism underlying water filtration through halophyte roots and serves as a basis for the development of a novel bio-inspired desalination method.

Integrated Geochemistry, Isotopes, and Geostatistical Techniques to Investigate Groundwater Sources and Salinization Origin in the Sharm EL-Shiekh Area, South Sinia, Egypt

Abstract: The Sharm El-Sheikh area is one of the most attractive touristic resorts in Egypt and in the world in general. The Sharm El-Shiekh area is located at the arid region of the South Sinai Peninsula, Egypt. Water desalination is considered the main freshwater supply for hotels and resorts. Scarcity of rainfall during the last decades, high pumping rates, disposal of reject brine water back into the aquifer, and seawater intrusion have resulted in the degradation of groundwater quality in the main aquifer. Water chemistry, stable isotopes, Seawater Mixing Index (SWMI), and factorial analyses were utilized to determine the main recharge and salinization sources as well as to estimate the mixing ratios between different end members affecting groundwater salinity in the aquifer. The groundwater of the Miocene aquifer is classified into two groups: group I represents 10 % of the total samples, has a moderately high saline groundwater, and is mostly affected by seawater intrusion. Group II represents 90 % of the total samples and has a high groundwater salinity due to the anthropological impact of the reject brine saline water deeper into the Miocene aquifer. The main groundwater recharge comes from the western watershed mountain and the elevated plateau while the seawater and reject brine are considering the main sources for groundwater salinization. The mixing ratios between groundwater recharge, seawater, and reject brine water were calculated using water chemistry and isotopes. The calculated mixing ratios of group I range between 25 and 84 % recharge groundwater to 75 and 16 % seawater, respectively, in groundwater located close to the western watershed mountain indicating further extension of seawater intrusion. However, the mixing percentages of group II range between 21 and 88 % reject brine water to 79 and 12 % seawater, respectively, in groundwater located close to the desalination plants. The outcomes and conclusion of this study highlight the importance of groundwater management to limit further groundwater deterioration of the Miocene groundwater aquifer and limit seawater intrusion along the coast.

Submergence-tolerant rice withstands complete submergence even in saline water: Probing through chlorophyll a fluorescence induction O-J-I-P transients

Abstract: Plants experience multiple abiotic stresses during the same growing season. The implications of submergence with and without saline water on growth and survival were investigated using four contrasting rice cultivars, FR13A (submergence-tolerant, salinity-susceptible), IR42 (susceptible to salinity and submergence), and Rashpanjor and AC39416 (salinity-tolerant, submergence-susceptible). Though both FR13A and IR42 showed sensitivity to salinity, FR13A exhibited higher initial biomass as well as maintained greater dry mass under saline condition. Greater reduction of chlorophyll (Chl) contents due to salinity was observed in the susceptible cultivars, including FR13A, compared to the salinity-tolerant cultivars. Exposure of plants to salinity before submergence decreased the survival chance under submergence. Yet, survival percentage under submergence was greater in FR13A compared to other cultivars. Generally, the reduction in the Chl content and damage to PSII were higher under the submergence compared to salinity conditions. The submergence-tolerant cultivar, FR13A, maintained greater quantities of Chl during submergence compared to other cultivars. Quantification of the Chl a fluorescence transients (JIP-test) revealed large cultivar differences in the response of PSII to submergence in saline and nonsaline water. The submergence-tolerant cultivar maintained greater chloroplast structural integrity and functional ability irrespective of the quality of flooding water.