salinization

Accumulation of salts is easily seen in this salinized soil.

Photo credit: Agriculture Agri-Food Canada
Used with permission

Salinization occurs in warm and dry locations where soluble salts precipitate from water and accumulate in the soil. Saline soils are common in desert and steppe climate. Salt may also accumulate in soils from sea spray. The rapid evaporation of salt-rich water irrigation has devastated thousands of acres of land.