tuzluluk

Tuzluluk is the Turkish noun for salinity, the state or condition of being salty. The term is used in science and everyday language to describe the amount of dissolved salts in soils, water, or foods. The linguistic basis is tuz (salt) with the suffix -luk, which denotes a quality or propensity.

In geology, hydrology and agriculture, tuzluluk refers to saline soils or brackish waters. Soils with elevated salt content can impede plant growth, reduce water infiltration, and affect soil structure. Vegetation in high-tuzluluk areas often requires salt-tolerant species or soil-management practices such as drainage and leaching, controlled irrigation, and the use of less saline water where feasible. Water with high salinity also limits its economic uses, including drinking, irrigation, and industrial applications.

Salinity is typically measured by parameters such as electrical conductivity, total dissolved solids, or specific ion concentrations; in Turkish reports, tuzluluk value or degeri is reported to assess suitability for crops and land use. Management approaches aim to reduce root-zone salt accumulation, improve drainage, and minimize salt loading. In environmental and urban planning contexts, tuzluluk maps or tuzluluk düzeyi may be used to communicate land quality.

See also: salinity; soil science; irrigation management; brackish water.