Abstract

A study was undertaken to find out the quality of irrigation water as influenced by sea water intrusion on physico chemical properties of soil. A significant positive correlation was observed between pH of the irrigation water and surface soils and also between the EC of irrigation water with EC of soil water suspension, saturated soil water extract (SWE) of irrigated surface soil. The chloride, sulphate, bicarbonate and sodium content of irrigation water. were found to be positively associated with water soluble chloride, sulphate, bicarbonate and sodium content of the irrigated surface soil. The total soluble salts of irrigation water were closely related with EC of SWE, soil suspension and also the sodium adsorption ratio (SAR) of irrigation water with SAR of the SWE, in all the samples analysed suggesting a evidence for the intrusion of sea water into the fresh ground water aquifers of coastal region.

Keywords: Irrigation water, Sea water intrusion, Physico chemical properties, water quality