3. RESULTS
Four candidate coastal feedwaters for halophyte irrigation (Arabian Gulf
Seawater, and coastal groundwater from Masdar Wells 2, 3, and 4) were
evaluated via evaporation modelling simulation, where water mass was
removed incrementally to evaluate the profile of minerals deposited both
individually (Figure 3 ) and cumulatively (Figure 4 ).
As mentioned earlier, two different electrolyte activity coefficient
models, B-dot and PHRQPITZ, were employed to calculate both the type and
quantity of minerals deposited using Equation (3).
A reactive transport model was utilized to assess agricultural return
flow salinity as a function of irrigation loading and soil type. Three
different annual irrigation water loadings, 2.5 m, 3m, and 4 m, were
applied to each soil column model. Both electrolyte activity coefficient
models, B-dot and PHRQPITZ, were employed to estimate total salinity (in
terms of aqueous TDS levels) in the agricultural return from the bottom
of the soil column. The results of this exercise are presented inFigure 5 .
Reactive transport modelling was used again to demonstrate changing
solid phase mineral profiles in the irrigated soil column after
continuous irrigation for a period of one year. In addition, changes in
porosity in the soil column after continuous irrigation for a period of
one year were demonstrated. Results for mineral deposition profiles and
changes in porosity along the soil column are presented inFigure 6 .