Restoration of Brine Water Impacted Soils Using Halophytes and Soil Disturbances in West Texas

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Contamination from brine water alters soil chemistry and capability. This includes lower infiltration rates and a change in the amount of essential nutrients available for plant growth. This study took place on a 15.7 hectare “kill zone”. Six halophyte species were planted to evaluate their ability to grow and remediate salt at the site. The species in this study include Inland saltgrass (Distichlis spicatas), Alkali sacaton (Sporobolus airoides), Common and Giant Bermuda grass (Cynodon dactylon), Giant sacaton (Sporobolus wrightii), and Four-winged saltbush (Atriplex canescens Soil compaction exceeded 2068 kPa at the surface. Ripping and furrowing transects were established to improve soil structure. Alkali sacaton exhibited the lowest mortality rates. Four-winged saltbush produced the highest amount of biomass. Soil compaction was generally not affected my treatments or plant type. All species except for Inland saltgrass showed a moderate ability to survive.

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