Quick Scan Salinity in the Metropolitan and Valparaíso Regions, Chile

BACKGROUND
This report, financed by the Government of the Netherlands through the Partners for Water programme, provides the results of a quick scan on the salinity and water situation in agriculture in Chile, mainly focusing on two regions: Valparaiso and Metropolitan Regions. The project was performed by The Salt Doctors (lead), Arcadis and Delphy (all based in The Netherlands) and the local office of Arcadis in Chile.

OBJECTIVE
The overall objective of the study is to enhance the climate resilience of agriculture in water scarce and saline areas in Chile, by providing insight in salinity issues and by exploring the possibilities for improving agricultural practices in a saline environment.

RESULTS
Salinity in Chile
In Chile, the area of salt affected land is estimated at 76 million hectares, mostly found in the North where natural fossil salt crusts and numerous saline lakes are present. In the Northern Mediterranean zone, where the two focus areas are located, around 16% of the land is reported to be salt affected (>2 dS/m). Most farmers in the focus areas rely on river water for irrigation, due to the semi-arid climate and the recent droughts. The river water itself contains salts and the highest concentrations have been observed during the last five years during periods of extreme low flow of the river. The mean salinity level of the River Maipo is 1,7 dS/m, with calcium as the main contributor to the elevated EC levels, followed by sodium.