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Title: SALINE SEEP.

Author
item Halvorson, Ardell

Submitted to: Encyclopedia of Water Science
Publication Type: Book / Chapter
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/12/2001
Publication Date: 10/2/2003
Citation: Halvorson, A.D. 2003. Saline seep. Encyclopedia of Water Science. pp. 826-828.

Interpretive Summary: This is a review article describing saline seep development, control, and reclamation. Saline seeps result under dryland cropping conditions when crops grown in the recharge area fail to utilize precipitation efficiently, resulting in downward movement of water and soluble salts that accumulate above geologic strata of low hydraulic permeability causing a perched water rtable to form. The water in the perched water table moves down slope unti it resurfaces on a sidehill or lower topographic position in the landscape as a saline seep. Discussed are methods for identifying saline seep recharge areas, gaining hydrologic control of seepage area, and reclamation of saline seep affected area once hydrologic control has been achieved. Some of the socioeconomic concerns involved in saline seep management are mentioned. Each of these topics are briefly discussed in this encyclopedia article.

Technical Abstract: This is a review article describing saline seep development, control, and reclamation. Saline seeps result under dryland cropping conditions when crops grown in the recharge area fail to utilize precipitation efficiently, resulting in downward movement of water and soluble salts that accumulate above geologic strata of low hydraulic permeability causing a perched water rtable to form. The water in the perched water table moves down slope unti it resurfaces on a sidehill or lower topographic position in the landscape as a saline seep. Discussed are methods for identifying saline seep recharge areas, gaining hydrologic control of seepage area, and reclamation of saline seep affected area once hydrologic control has been achieved. Some of the socioeconomic concerns involved in saline seep management are mentioned. Each of these topics are briefly discussed in this encyclopedia article.