The origin of dryland salinity near Nobleford, Alberta / by James John Miller.
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TextPublication details: Edmonton, AB : University of Alberta, 1989.Description: xviii, 284 leaves : ill. ; 29 cmSubject(s): Online resources: Dissertation note: Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Alberta, 1989. Abstract: The major objective of this study was to determine the origin of dryland salinity near Nobleford, Alberta, using field and laboratory techniques. Evaporite mineralogy, soil solution and groundwater chemistry of one saline seep were studied in detail. The soil solution and groundwater chemistry were dominated by Na and SO4 ions.Dissolution of gypsum and bassanite contributed SO4 ions to the soil solution, whereas Na ions were probably derived from the bedrock, or dissolution of mirabilite and cation exchange in the drift. Gypsum,bassanite, and calcite were the only evaporite minerals identified within the soil profile. Simulations with a geochemical model (SOLMNEQ)revealed that more soluble minerals such as mirabilite and epsomite could only precipitate in soil solutions of extremely high ionic strength. The mineral sequence observed in the soil profile could not be solely explained by mineral precipitation, as predicted by the Hardie-Eugster model. However, the common-ion effect involving decalcification and gypsum and/or bassanite precipitation may be an important factor.
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Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Alberta, 1989.
Includes bibliographical references.
The major objective of this study was to determine the origin of dryland salinity near Nobleford, Alberta, using field and laboratory techniques. Evaporite mineralogy, soil solution and groundwater chemistry of one saline seep were studied in detail. The soil solution and groundwater chemistry were dominated by Na and SO4 ions.Dissolution of gypsum and bassanite contributed SO4 ions to the soil solution, whereas Na ions were probably derived from the bedrock, or dissolution of mirabilite and cation exchange in the drift. Gypsum,bassanite, and calcite were the only evaporite minerals identified within the soil profile. Simulations with a geochemical model (SOLMNEQ)revealed that more soluble minerals such as mirabilite and epsomite could only precipitate in soil solutions of extremely high ionic strength. The mineral sequence observed in the soil profile could not be solely explained by mineral precipitation, as predicted by the Hardie-Eugster model. However, the common-ion effect involving decalcification and gypsum and/or bassanite precipitation may be an important factor.