Assessment of soil-water vulnerability to salinization in Ben Tre province using DRASTIC model

Abstract

Soil water in the coastal zones is more vulnerable to salinization. Soil-water vulnerability assessment is an effective tool for soil-water management. This study used the DRASTIC model, which is based on seven factors viz: depth to soil water, recharge, soil-water bearing layer, soil media, topography, impact of root zone, and hydraulic conductivity to evaluate soil-water salinization potentiality of Ben Tre province. The obtained soil-water vulnerability map is divided into three vulnerable zones: low vulnerability zone with 348.59 km² of total area, moderate vulnerability zone with 1898.77 km², and high vulnerability zone having 147.64 km². Moreover, the DRASTIC model was validated by Total dissolved solids (TDS) over the study area. Validation results showed the low vulnerability zone of the moderate saline (TDS = 1,500–7,000 mg/L), while the moderate vulnerability zone of the moderate, high, and very high saline (TDS = 1,500–35,000 mg/L). However, the high vulnerability zone has a very high saline (TDS = 15,000–35,000 mg/L). The study results are of considerable value to land use planning and soil researchers.