Salinização

Salinização refers to the accumulation of soluble salts in soil or water. In soils, this process can occur naturally due to geological factors or through human activities like irrigation with saline water or improper drainage, leading to a rise in the water table. When this water evaporates, it leaves dissolved salts behind, gradually increasing the soil's salinity. High salt concentrations in soil can negatively impact plant growth by making it difficult for roots to absorb water (osmotic stress) and by directly interfering with nutrient uptake and causing toxicity.

In aquatic environments, salinização is the increase in salt concentration, typically of sodium chloride. This can happen naturally in oceans, but in freshwater systems, it often results from the intrusion of saltwater into freshwater aquifers or rivers, particularly in coastal areas where groundwater is depleted. Human activities such as excessive groundwater pumping, construction of dams, and the use of road salt in colder climates can also contribute to increased salinity in freshwater bodies. Elevated salinity levels in freshwater ecosystems can harm aquatic organisms that are adapted to lower salt concentrations, disrupt ecological balance, and render water unsuitable for drinking, agriculture, and industrial uses.