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| | What is salinization? | | | | It is a process of enrichment of a soil in soluble salts which results in the formation of a salt-affected soil. | | | | How is salinization a problem? | | | Salinization causes: - an increase in osmotic pressure which makes water mobilization more difficult for plants;
- toxicity of certain ions to plants (Cl-, Na+, etc.);
- degradation of the soil (changes in structural state, reduction of hydraulic conductivity, etc.).
| | | | Is it a serious problem today? | | | | Globally The world is losing, on average, 10 hectares of land suitable for cultivation every minute, of which 3 hectares is as a result of salinization (equivalent to 1.5 Mha per year) [Kovda, 1983]. Today it is estimated that almost 400 Mha are affected by salinization [Bot, Nachtergaele and Young, 2000]. In Africa... almost 40 Mha are affected by salinization, around 2% of the total surface area. In the Near East... almost 92 Mha are affected by salinization, around 5% of the total surface area. Access to specific data for some African countires and the Near East... | | | | What are the causes of land salinization? | | | | 80% of salt-affected land has a natural origin. Thus the use of the term “primary” salinization, due to salts formed by weathering of rocks or natural external inputs. 20% of salt-affected land, around 15 Mha on the continent of Africa alone, have a "man-made" origin. Thus the use of the term "secondary" salinization, introduced by human activity linked to agricultural practices, and in particular to irrigation. | | | | |
 | | | | | | | Title | Integrated Water Resources Management and Challenges of Sustainable Development | | Start Date for Event | 23 May 2006 | | End Date of Event | 25 May 2006 | | Location | Marrakech, Moro | | Description | This congress will allow the different specialists in the field of water resources management to present and exchange information about the latest developments in their work related to integrated water resources management. | | Keywords | WATER; RESSOURCE; MANAGEMENT | |
| Type of Event | Congress | | Organizer | Moroccan Committee of the International Association of Hydrogeologists (IAH) | | File Location |  SEMIDE (en) | |
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