Abstract: Soil salinization is an environmental problem having
significant impacts on the soil–water–plant system. This
problem is more frequent in coastal areas due to seawater
intrusion into the land. Assessing the soil salinization is a
critical issue for the agricultural areas situated in the
Mediterranean basin. This paper examines the deterioration
of soil quality in the cultivated land of a Mediterranean site
(Agoulinitsa district—West Greece). Soil samples were collected
in both pre-irrigation and post-irrigation seasons.
Electrical conductivity (EC), pH and the ions Br−, Ca2+, Cl−,
F−, K+, Li+, Mg2+, Na+, NH4
+, NO2
−, NO3
−, PO4
3− and SO4
2−
were determined by the 1:2 (soil/water ratio on weight basis)
method. The salts which were present in both seasons in the
soils of the area studied are KCl, MgCl2, NaCl, CaSO4 and
K2SO4. The wide spatiotemporal variation of EC in the cultivated
land in both seasons demonstrates that soil salinity is
controlled mainly by seawater intrusion and anthropogenic
factors such as the application of salt-rich water which is
directly pumped from the drainage ditches. Seawater intrusion
provides the affected soil with elevated contents of Ca2+, Cl−,
K+, Mg2+, Na+ and SO4
2−. Classification of the soils by using
criteria given by the literature is discussed. Practices to prevent,
or at least ameliorate, salinization in the cultivated land
of Agoulinitsa district are proposed.

Abstract: Study of the Cenomanian–Turonian and Plio–Quaternary aquifers of Essaouira basin (Western Morocco), based on the interpretation of geochemical (major elements) and isotopic (18O, 2H, 13C and 14C) data, has aided the understanding of the hydrodynamics of these aquifers, which is greatly affected by tectonics. Hydrochemical characteristics based on the bivariate diagrams of major ions (Cl–, SO42–, NO3–, HCO3–, Na+, Mg2+, K+ and Ca2+) and electrical conductivity and mineral saturation indices indicate that the origins of groundwater mineralisation are the result of: (1) evaporite dissolution; (2) cation exchange reactions; (3) and evaporation processes. Radiogenic isotopes (3H and 14C) have highlighted the presence of significant recent recharge in the eastern part of the basin, with groundwater moving according to the general flow path (south-east to north-west). Stable isotope data from the Essaouira basin plot along the Global Meteoric Water Line and below the Local Meteoric Water Line. This suggests that groundwater has been recharged under several different climate regimes.