Alkali soil

Alkali soil
Alkali soil Alkali soil Any one of various soils found in arid and semiarid regions, containing an unusual amount of soluble mineral salts which effloresce in the form of a powder or crust (usually white) in dry weather following rains or irrigation. The basis of these salts is mainly soda with a smaller amount of potash, and usually a little lime and magnesia. Two main classes of alkali are commonly distinguished: {black alkali}, which may be any alkaline carbonate, but which practically consists of sodium carbonate (sal soda), which is highly corrosive and destructive to vegetation; and {white alkali}, characterized by the presence of sodium sulphate (Glauber's salt), which is less injurious to vegetation. Black alkali is so called because water containing it dissolves humus, forming a dark-colored solution which, when it collects in puddles and evaporates, produces characteristic black spots. [Webster 1913 Suppl.]

The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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  • alkali soil — soil that has either a high degree of alkalinity or a high percentage of sodium, or both, so that most crops cannot be grown in it profitably. [1910 15] * * * alkali soil, soil containing soluble mineral salts, in quantities sufficient to… …   Useful english dictionary

  • alkali soil — soil that has either a high degree of alkalinity or a high percentage of sodium, or both, so that most crops cannot be grown in it profitably. [1910 15] * * * …   Universalium

  • alkali soil — /ˌælkəlaɪ ˈsɔɪl/ (say .alkuhluy soyl) noun any of various soils in poorly drained or arid regions, containing a large amount of soluble mineral salts (chiefly of sodium) which in dry weather appear on the surface as a (usually white) crust or… …  

  • Alkali soils — Alkali, or alkaline, soils are clay soils with a relatively high exchangeable sodium percentage, a relative high pH (> 9), a poor soil structure and a low infiltration capacity. Often they have a hard calcareous layer at 0.5 to 1 m. depth (in… …   Wikipedia

  • alkali land — alkali land, = alkali soil. (Cf. ↑alkali soil) …   Useful english dictionary

  • alkali soils — soil located in arid regions which contains minerals …   English contemporary dictionary

  • Alkali — In chemistry, an alkali (from Arabic: Al Qaly القلي, القالي ) is a basic, ionic salt of an alkali metal or alkaline earth metal element. Alkalis are best known for being bases (compounds with pH greater than 7) that dissolve in water. The… …   Wikipedia

  • black alkali — Alkali soil Alkali soil Any one of various soils found in arid and semiarid regions, containing an unusual amount of soluble mineral salts which effloresce in the form of a powder or crust (usually white) in dry weather following rains or… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • white alkali — Alkali soil Alkali soil Any one of various soils found in arid and semiarid regions, containing an unusual amount of soluble mineral salts which effloresce in the form of a powder or crust (usually white) in dry weather following rains or… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • alkali flat — noun : a level area in an arid or semiarid region that is encrusted with salt or alkali (as the dried bed of an evaporated pond or lake) * * * a level area, as a dry lake bed, in which evaporation has concentrated alkali minerals, as sodium… …   Useful english dictionary

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