Purpose: to study irrigation water quality parameters and the influence of subsurface irrigation with wastewater on salt composition and solonetzic content of southern chernozem.
Materials and methods. The study was conducted on a 50-hectare pilot production subsurface irrigation system in the Saksky district of Crimea. Irrigation water and soil were analyzed using conventional methods. Based on the analysis results, irrigation water quality was assessed using various methods and the degree and nature of soil salinization and alkalinization were determined.
Results. Water mineralization ranged from 1.34 to 2.18 g/cub. dm. The waters were slightly brackish, sulfate-hydrocarbonate-chloride, magnesium-calcium-sodium. The Staebler coefficient ranged from 2.5 to 4.4, and the ion exchange coefficient was 0.6 to 1.0, indicating poor water quality and unsuitable for irrigation. The SAR (sodium adsorption ratio) was 7.4 to 8.5, and the adjusted SARadj. was 12.5 to 21.5. The risk of soil alkalinization according to SAR is low, while according to the SARadj. and soil-reclamation classification, it is high. During irrigation, the soil salinized to a low to moderate degree; the salinization types were sulfate-chloride and chloride-magnesium-sodium and sodium. The toxic salt content ranged from 0.12 to 0.50 %, with a maximum in the 100–200 cm layer. Irrigation resulted in secondary mild to moderate alkalinization of southern chernozems with exchangeable sodium content of 5.8–14.0 % of the CEC.
Conclusions. The observed adverse effects of irrigation with mineralized wastewater did not cause inhibition of barley and alfalfa plants or a decrease in their productivity during the study years. Due to the negative impact of irrigation with such water on the soil, constant monitoring of its salt status is necessary. To improve the quality of treated wastewater, it is necessary to improve its treatment system to reduce the toxic salt content. Chemical ameliorants should be used to reduce the alkalinity of the soil and prevent alkalinization.
doi: 10.31774/2712-9357-2026-16-3-148-167
subsurface irrigation, wastewater, southern chernozem, water and soil salt composition, salinization, alkalinization, water mineralization, crop yield
Kremenskoy V. I., Klimenko O. E., Dzhaparova A. M. The influence of subsurface irrigation with treated wastewater on the salt composition and physicochemical properties of southern chernozems. Land Reclamation and Hydraulic Engineering. 2026;16(3):148–167. (In Russ.). https://doi.org/10.31774/2712-9357-2026-16-3-148-167.
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Funding source: subsidies for the implementation of State Assignment No. FNZW-2022-0002 from the federal budget.
