What is the process in which water dries up and leaves beds of salt behind?

What is the process in which water dries up and leaves beds of salt behind?

• A. Soil salinization
• B. Irrigation
• C. Desertification
• D. Pollution

Answer: (A)

Water evaporates from the soil and from irrigation water, leaving behind the dissolved salts. When drainage is poor, those salts accumulate near the surface and within the soil profile, creating beds of salt. This buildup is known as soil salinization (soil salinity). It reduces soil permeability and harms plant growth because high salt concentrations create osmotic stress for roots. The other terms describe different issues: irrigation is merely applying water to crops; desertification is broader land degradation from drought and other factors; pollution refers to contamination by harmful substances.

Water evaporates from the soil and from irrigation water, leaving behind the dissolved salts. When drainage is poor, those salts accumulate near the surface and within the soil profile, creating beds of salt. This buildup is known as soil salinization (soil salinity). It reduces soil permeability and harms plant growth because high salt concentrations create osmotic stress for roots. The other terms describe different issues: irrigation is merely applying water to crops; desertification is broader land degradation from drought and other factors; pollution refers to contamination by harmful substances.