Salinity and Sodicity Assessment of Tube-Well Groundwaters Across Three Tehsils of District Chiniot

Abstract

This research analysis examines the impact of both salinity and sodicity values from groundwaters of tube-well irrigation systems available within the tehsils of Chiniot, Lalian, and Bhowana, which fall under the Punjab province, Pakistan. For the purpose of assessment, a total of 313 samples from the groundwaters of tube-well irrigation systems were randomly collected from Lalian, Bhowana, and Chiniot. This study makes a cumulative assessment of the groundwaters from the tube-well irrigation systems available within the tehsils mentioned. The assessment makes a comprehensive listing of the values from both the groundwaters’ salinity, which is determined through electrical conductivity, and their sodicity, which is determined through the measurement of sodium adsorption ratio and residual sodium carbonate. The results obtained from this research indicate that out of a total of 313 groundwaters from the tube-well irrigation systems within the province, 152 were suitable for irrigation. Out of the remaining, however, 44 were marginally suitable, while 117 were unsuitable. The present study findings advocate tehsil-scale monitoring and policy for sustainable tube-well water use for different crops in Punjab's Indus Basin.