Bahrain's Soil: A Unique Blend Of Sands

The soil in Bahrain is coarse-textured, with a texture that varies from sand to loamy sand, and subsoil that varies from loamy sand to sandy loam. The soil has high salinity due to the application of highly saline groundwater in the past, and poor water retention. Infiltration rates and hydraulic conductivity are very high, at up to 12 cm/hr. The water-holding capacity is very low, requiring frequent irrigation.

The soil in Bahrain is highly saline, with poor water retention and limited nutrients

The soil in Bahrain is largely unsuitable for agriculture. The soil is highly saline, with poor water retention and limited nutrients. This is due to the country's arid to extremely arid climate, with irregular rainfall and a high evaporation rate. As a result, Bahrain has had to adopt alternative agricultural practices such as hydroponic farming to tackle food security issues.

Bahrain's soil is highly saline, with poor water retention and limited nutrients. This is largely a result of the country's arid to extremely arid climate, which features irregular rainfall and a high evaporation rate. With an average annual rainfall of about 75 mm and an evaporation rate of 1840 mm/year, Bahrain is heavily dependent on groundwater, which has a high salinity of 2,300 – 4,800 ppm TDS. This has made irrigation difficult and contributed to the high salinity of the soil.

The soil texture in Bahrain ranges from sand to loamy sand, with subsoil varying from loamy sand to sandy loam. The deeper soils are often underlain by sands, and the presence of shallow and saline water tables further complicates irrigation. The infiltration rate and hydraulic conductivity are very high, at up to 12 cm/hr, while the water-holding capacity is very low, requiring frequent irrigation.

The high salinity of the soil, combined with the use of saline irrigation water, has led to waterlogging and soil salinization, rendering large areas of agricultural land unusable. This, coupled with the low water retention capacity of the soil, has resulted in a decline in crop production, particularly of date palms, vegetables, and fodder crops.

To address these challenges, Bahrain has turned to alternative agricultural practices such as hydroponic farming, which offers a promising future for the country. Hydroponic farming allows for the regulation of nutrient composition and frequency, making it a viable solution for regions with limited arable land, poor soil quality, and water scarcity. By adopting hydroponics, Bahrain is taking steps towards self-sufficiency in food production and actively tackling food security concerns.

The soil texture varies from sand to loamy sand, with subsoil ranging from loamy sand to sandy loam

The soil texture in Bahrain varies from sand to loamy sand, with subsoil ranging from loamy sand to sandy loam. The soil is generally shallow in depth, with the topsoil ranging from sand to loamy sand, while the subsoil varies from loamy sand to sandy loam. Occasionally, the subsoil texture is silty clay loam. The soil structure is often poorly defined, with high infiltration rates, particularly in coarse-textured soils. The presence of a shallow water table, salt crusting, or cemented layers can reduce water movement.

The soil in Bahrain has a low water-holding capacity, requiring frequent irrigation. The field capacity ranges from 5% to 60% v/v, while the wilting percentage varies from 1% to 30% v/v, resulting in an available water content of 4% to 30% v/v. The bulk density ranges from 0.82 to 1.61 g/cm3. The colour of the soil surface varies from dark greyish brown to light brown when moist, while the subsoil colour ranges from olive grey to light grey and white.

The soil in Bahrain is also characterised by high salinity due to the use of highly saline groundwater in the past. The electrical conductivity in irrigated soil ranges from 4 to 15 mmhos/cm, while non-irrigated sites have higher conductivity. The dominant cation is sodium, exceeding the sum of calcium and magnesium. The dominant anion is chloride, followed by sulfate, while bicarbonate is present in small concentrations.

The soil has a high gypsum and calcium carbonate content

The soil in Bahrain has a high gypsum and calcium carbonate content, which is a problem for agriculture. The high gypsum content is characteristic of the Aridisol order of soils, to which most of Bahrain's soils belong. Aridisol soils have a salic horizon (a layer of soil where there is an accumulation of salts) within 75 cm of the surface. The gypsum content of most soils in Bahrain ranges from 8-24%, while the calcium carbonate content ranges from 15-30% and can exceed 80% in the subsoil.

Gypsum is a soft sulfate mineral composed of calcium sulfate dihydrate. It is a common mineral and is found in over 85 countries worldwide. It is frequently used in agriculture as a soil amendment, as it improves the physical properties of the soil. It can help improve the structure of the soil, increase nutrient and water retention, and reduce soil erosion.

Calcium carbonate is a chemical compound with the chemical formula CaCO3. It is found in rocks such as limestone, marble, and chalk, as well as in the shells of marine organisms and eggshells. Calcium carbonate is used in the construction industry and is an ingredient in cement and concrete. It is also used in agriculture as a soil amendment to increase the pH of acidic soils and provide calcium to plants.

The high gypsum and calcium carbonate content of Bahrain's soils is a result of the country's arid climate and geology. Bahrain has an arid to extremely arid climate, with low and irregular rainfall and a high evaporation rate. The country's geology consists of gently folded layers of sedimentary rocks, including limestones, sandstones, and marls formed during the Cretaceous, Paleogene, and Neogene periods.

The high gypsum and calcium carbonate content of the soil has implications for agriculture in Bahrain. It can affect the fertility of the soil and the availability of nutrients for plants. It can also impact the texture and structure of the soil, making it more sandy and reducing its ability to retain water.

To address the challenges posed by the high gypsum and calcium carbonate content of the soil, farmers in Bahrain have adopted alternative agricultural practices such as hydroponic farming. Hydroponic farming is a soil-less technique that allows for the precise regulation of nutrient composition and frequency of supply. It is a viable solution for growing plants in arid environments with limited water and arable land, such as Bahrain.

The soil is moderately alkaline, with pH values ranging from 7-8

The soil in Bahrain is moderately alkaline, with pH values ranging from 7-8. This alkalinity is likely due to the presence of moderate amounts of gypsum in the soil, which can affect the availability of nutrients for plants. The pH level also indicates that the soil has a moderate amount of calcium carbonate, which typically increases with depth.

The pH level of the soil is an important factor in determining its suitability for agriculture. In Bahrain, the soil's alkalinity, combined with other factors such as high salinity and low water retention, present challenges for crop growth. However, modern agricultural practices, such as hydroponic farming, are helping to address these issues and improve food security in the country.

The soil has a low fertility potential due to low organic matter content and nutrient deficiencies

The soil in Bahrain has a low fertility potential due to low organic matter content and nutrient deficiencies. The soil's organic matter content is less than 1%, and its build-up is slow due to the prevailing high oxidizing conditions. This results in low nitrogen content, with soluble nitrate levels ranging from 1-5 ppm in the saturation extract of the topsoil. Phosphorus availability is also relatively low, commonly associated with highly calcareous soils, and ranges from 3-50 ppm. While Bahrain's soils seem well-supplied with potassium (100-360 ppm), they are generally deficient in micronutrients.

The low fertility potential of Bahrain's soil is further exacerbated by its high salinity, which affects agricultural lands due to the use of highly saline irrigation water (TDS 2500-10000). Waterlogging, sea water intrusion, and a shallow saline water table also contribute to the issue. Additionally, the presence of compacted or cemented layers of gypsum and lime at shallow depths restricts root penetration and water movement, creating severe limitations for agriculture.

To address these challenges, Bahrain has adopted alternative agricultural practices such as hydroponic farming, which offers a managed environment with controlled nutrient composition and frequency. This method is particularly advantageous in arid environments like Bahrain, where soil nutrient quality, salinity, and water scarcity are limiting factors.

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