The combination effects of waterlogging and salinity on redox potential (Eh), pH, electric conductivity (EC), water-soluble
cations (NH
4
+, K
+, Na
+, Ca
2+, Mg
2+, Fe
2+, and Mn
2+) and water-dispersible clay (WDC) were studied in six soils collected near salt lakes in western Australia. The soils with
various salinity levels were incubated under a waterlogged condition at 30 °C for 12 weeks. The Eh, pH, EC, and cations of
soil solutions were monitored over the waterlogged period. The Eh values generally dropped to the lowest point within 12 days
of waterlogging, then increased slightly, and reached equilibrium after 4 weeks of waterlogging. Increasing salinity levels
increased soil Eh. While waterlogging increased soil pH in the first 3–4 weeks, increasing salinity level decreased soil pH
during the entire waterlogging period. Waterlogging increased the EC values in the first 2 weeks, partly due to dissolution
of insoluble salts. The concentrations of water-soluble NH
4
+ were significantly increased with salinity level and waterlogging, and reached maximum values at week 2, and then declined
to the initial level. Waterlogging and salinity increased the concentrations of water-soluble K
+, Ca
2+, Mg
2+, Fe
2+, and Mn
2+ ions, but the magnitudes of changes were greatly affected by soil properties. Increases in water-soluble K
+, Ca
2+ and Mg
2+ were attributed to increased solubility of insoluble salts, and increased competition for the adsorption sites of the soil
exchange complex due to elevated concentrations of Na
+, Fe
2+ and Mn
2+. Increases in water-soluble Fe
2+ and Mn
2+ induced by waterlogging were attributed to the dissolution of Fe and Mn oxides under reduced conditions. Waterlogging increased,
but salinity decreased, the amounts of water-dispersible clay in the soils of low EC value. The higher salinity level can
counteract the adverse effect of waterlogging on clay flocculation.
electric conductivity - pH - redox potential - salinity - water-dispersible clay - waterlogging - water-soluble cations