The objectives of this study were to assess the variability in soil properties affecting salinity and alkalinity, and to analyze spatial distribution patterns of salinity (EC) and alkalinity (ESP) in the plain, which was used irrigation agriculture with low quality waters. Soil samples were collected from 0-30 cm, 30-60 cm, 60-90 cm and 90-120 cm soil depths at 60 sampling sites. Soil pH had the minimum variability, and hydraulic conductivity (Ks) had the maximum variability at all depths. The mean values of pH, EC, ESP and Ks increased while the mean values of CEC decreased with soil depth. Values pH, EC and ESP were generally high in the east and northeastern sides. Soil properties indicated moderate to strong spatial dependence. ESP and pH were moderately spatially dependent for three of the four depths, EC exhibited moderate spatial dependence for one of the four depths, CEC had a moderate spatial dependence at all depths, and Ks exhibited a strong spatial dependence. EC, CEC, and ESP were considerably variable in small distances. The spatial variability in small distances of EC, CEC, pH and ESP generally increased with depth. All geostatistical range values were greater than 1230 m. It was inferred that the strong spatial dependency of soil properties would be resulted in extrinsic factors such as ground water level, drainage, irrigation systems and microtopography.
This study was carried out to investigate possible seawater intrusion into groundwater along the coastal lines of the Bafra Plain and salinity-alkalinity problems over land areas irrigated with water exposed to seawater intrusion were evaluated. For this purpose, 32 groundwater wells were selected over the plain, water samples were taken from these wells between October 2007 and September 2008, and chemical analyses were performed over these samples. Soil samples were taken from the fields irrigated with this water at 32 different locations at the end of the irrigation season in September 2008 from 0-30, 30-60, 60-90, and 90-120 cm soil depths and textures. EC, pH, Na, Ca, Mg, and K analyses were performed over these samples. Excessive seawater intrusion was observed in some parts of the plain and impacts of seawater intrusion decreased with the distance from the coastal line. It was determined that groundwater quality was significantly affected from seawater intrusion. Salinity and especially alkalinity problems were observed in land areas irrigated with this water and alkalinity increased with the rate of intrusion.
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