Downsanup Down Underground News

Why do we have salty soil? Where did the salt come from?
What can we do to improve the situation? How will Australians cope as salt affects our lives more and more?

Ashlee Henschke reports.

Salts are moved inland by the ocean and rainfall and by wind, then they seep into our groundwater. Different types of soils have been formed on ancient marine remains that have salt in them. The salty groundwater was kept below the top of the soil because the roots of the trees broke through deeply into the soil and sucked the water up.

The solution to the salinity problem is to bring down the water table. Lots of farmers try to solve this by planting certain plants and trees. A few of them are cocksfoot, lucerne and phalaris. Some people in the city are helping by planting these special plants in their gardens and giving them to farmers in trouble.

The problem of salinity will affect Australians in many ways. Some are more devastating than others. Australians even in the city might have to use water filters. Farmers might end up with NO crops, not get any business and be in BIG TROUBLE. Also yabbies and fish in the Murray river might get killed because they might be fresh water animals.

See what YOU can do to help solve the problem of salinity.