permaculture

[Robyn Francis <erda@nor.com.au>]

On 5/8/07 2:25 PM, "Marimike6@cs.com" <Marimike6@cs.com> wrote:

> yarrow@sfo.com wrote:
>> But what effect does saltwater have on the soil ecology?
> 
> Just from reading the article, I would assume the real value of the finding
> was that it provides a high value crop for soils already damaged by salt
> saturation, such as in the Sacramento Basin. Here's a location that's 
> already
> been 
> so heavily irrigated it's worn out. A novel use like this, where the waters
> available are on the saline side to begin with, could bring the region back 
> to
> life.

The original article specifically states diluted seawater (10% seawater).
Seawater is quite a different substance to saline groundwaters in places
like the Sacramento Basin. It's a bit of a wild assumption to link this
research to re-greening salt-effected landscapes.

BTW The small quantities of seasalt present in seaweed/kelp does not present
a soil issue when used as a mulch unwashed. It could be that seawater at
this dilution is safe in terms of salt levels, though long term it would be
essential to reduce evaporation and salt build-up. I'd certainly do some
careful research and small-scale experimentation before using diluted
seawater on soils with a pH7 or more.
Ciao
Robyn