Discussion
Soil properties
Based on the results, 45% of the plots tested were slightly saline (EC > 4 dS m-1) and 34% were saline (EC > 8 dS m-1). This has been reported by other authors working in Alicante (Ortiz and Caselles, 1982; Aragón et al., 1998) and is probably due to poor quality wastewater
being used for irrigation combined with the semiarid conditions in the South of Alicante. These
results suggest the need for rational, efficient management of wastewater and desalted water to avoid increasing salt concentrations in the soil profile, especially in agricultural soils for vegetable crops which are highly sensitive to salinity.The presence of basic soils is a consequence of elevated carbonate levels in all the plots tested and the
predominance of fine soil texture. A low bioavailability of heavy metals can be expected due to a direct effect of soil pH on metal solubility and the adsorption of these elements onto negatively-charged surfaces of clay minerals and soil organic matter. However, point contamination from industries and the intensive use of agrochemicals can introduce these elements in soluble
Discussion
Soil properties
Based on the results, 45% of the plots tested were slightly saline (EC > 4 dS m-1) and 34% were saline (EC > 8 dS m-1). This has been reported by other authors working in Alicante (Ortiz and Caselles, 1982; Aragón et al., 1998) and is probably due to poor quality wastewater
being used for irrigation combined with the semiarid conditions in the South of Alicante. These
results suggest the need for rational, efficient management of wastewater and desalted water to avoid increasing salt concentrations in the soil profile, especially in agricultural soils for vegetable crops which are highly sensitive to salinity.The presence of basic soils is a consequence of elevated carbonate levels in all the plots tested and the
predominance of fine soil texture. A low bioavailability of heavy metals can be expected due to a direct effect of soil pH on metal solubility and the adsorption of these elements onto negatively-charged surfaces of clay minerals and soil organic matter. However, point contamination from industries and the intensive use of agrochemicals can introduce these elements in soluble
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