Salinization

Refers to impregnation of matter with salt. In the ecological context, refers to a land degradation process caused by excessive soil salinity in arid regions. The accumulation of salts in soil layers close to the surface produced by various causes (e.g., capillary transport of salts in the water table; fertilizers or excessive irrigation precipitating salts in the soil) can inhibit crop growth and may result in eventual desertification.