HYDROCHEMICAL PARAMETERS

Percent Sodium
• Percent sodium (%Na) measures the relative concentration of sodium ions compared to other
major cations (such as calcium, magnesium, and potassium) in water. High %Na in irrigation
water can cause sodium to replace calcium and magnesium ions in the soil, leading to soil
structure degradation, reduced permeability, and poor drainage. These effects make the soil less
suitable for plant growth.
• Percent Sodium is calculated as:
• Percent Sodium =

.
•X-Axis: Electrical Conductivity (EC), indicating the salinity level.
•Y-Axis: Percent Sodium (%Na), indicating sodium hazard
Electrical Conductivity (EC) in Microsiemens per Centimeter
(µS/cm) is a measure of a material's or solution's ability to conduct an
electric current. Conductivity is typically measured in water and
solutions to determine the concentration of ions, which are charged
particles that enable electrical flow. The unit, microsiemens per
centimeter, reflects how well electricity flows through a specific
length (1 cm) of solution, specifically in the microsiemens range
•Pure water has very low conductivity, around 0.05 µS/cm, due to
(µs)
the low concentration of ions.
•Drinking water typically has conductivity in the range of 50 to 500
µS/cm.
•Sea water has high conductivity, approximately 50,000 µS/cm, due
to high concentrations of dissolved salts
Factors Affecting Conductivity
•Ion Concentration: More ions mean higher conductivity.
•Temperature: Conductivity increases with temperature; most
instruments have automatic temperature compensation.
•Type of Ions: Different ions, like sodium (Na+), chloride (Cl-), and
calcium (Ca2+), contribute differently to conductivity
Zones in the Percent Sodium Plot
The plot typically divides water quality into four categories:
1. Good (Low %Na and Low EC): %Na < 20 and EC < 250 µS/cm.-Water in this category has low sodium and low salinity, suitable for most
soils and crops without any special management.
2. Permissible (Moderate %Na and EC): %Na 20–40 and EC 250–750 µS/cm.-Water is generally suitable for irrigation with minor
restrictions. Regular monitoring and good soil management, like leaching or use of soil amendments, may be advisable, especially in soils
with low permeability.
3. Doubtful (High %Na or EC): %Na 40–60 and EC 750–2000 µS/cm -Water in this range may pose risks to soil structure and permeability. It
is best used with salt-tolerant crops and requires soil amendments, like gypsum, to counteract sodium effects. Irrigation should be managed
carefully, with periodic leaching to reduce salt buildup.
4. Unsuitable (Very High %Na and EC): %Na > 60 or EC > 2000 µS/cm. This water quality is generally not suitable for irrigation without
significant treatment. High sodium and salinity levels can cause severe soil degradation and harm plant growth.
Implications of the Percent Sodium Plot for Irrigation
The percent sodium plot helps to:
• Identify Sodium Hazards: High %Na can reduce soil structure stability by displacing calcium and magnesium ions, making soils less
permeable and prone to compaction.
• Understand Salinity Risk: High EC values indicate a salinity risk, which can cause osmotic stress in plants, reducing their ability to absorb
water.
• Guide Management Practices: Based on water quality, the plot suggests whether amendments like gypsum (to replace sodium with calcium),
soil leaching, or irrigation with good-quality water is necessary to prevent soil degradation.
 SAR(Sodium Absorption Ratio)
• Excessive sodium content in water renders its unsuitability for soils containing exchangeable Ca2+ and Mg2+
ions. If the percentage of Na+ to (Ca2+ + Mg2+ + Na+ ) is considerably > 50 in irrigation waters soil containing
exchangeable calcium and magnesium take up sodium in exchange for Ca2+ and Mg2+ causing flocculation and
impairment of the tilt and permeability of soils.
SAR=

Based on alkalinity hazard (SAR) (Richards, 1954)

• Excellent 0–10
• Good 10–18
• Doubtful 18–26
• Unsuitable >26
1. Low Salinity (C1): Waters in this zone have low electrical conductivity and low SAR, making them suitable for most
crops and soil types. They pose minimal risk of sodium buildup or soil structure damage.
2. Medium Salinity (C2): This zone represents waters with moderate salinity, which may pose a slight risk of soil
salinization, particularly in poorly drained soils. Leaching and good drainage management are advisable.
3. High Salinity (C3): Waters in this zone have high salinity levels, requiring crops with good salt tolerance and well-
drained soils. Additional measures, such as gypsum application or periodic leaching, may be necessary to prevent salt
accumulation.
4. Very High Salinity (C4): Water in this range is unsuitable for irrigation under most circumstances without significant
treatment. High salinity and SAR can damage soil structure and restrict plant growth
SAR Levels and Soil Permeability
• Low SAR (S1): Low risk of sodium accumulation and minimal impact on soil permeability. Suitable for most crops.
• Medium SAR (S2): Moderate sodium risk, potentially affecting soil permeability if applied over long periods. Suitable
for moderate sodium-tolerant crops.
• High SAR (S3): Significant risk of sodium buildup and reduced soil permeability. Should only be used with sodium-
tolerant crops and good soil management.
• Very High SAR (S4): Unsuitable for irrigation without amendments like gypsum, which can help reduce the sodium
hazard.
The intersection of SAR and EC values on the plot helps determine water suitability:
• Ideal Range (C1S1, C2S1): Safe for irrigation with minimal risk.
• Moderate Caution (C3S2, C4S2): Requires soil amendments and/or salt-tolerant crops.
• High Caution (C4S3, C4S4): Not recommended without significant treatment to reduce salinity and SAR.
Kelley’s Index
• Kelley’s Index (or Kelley’s Ratio) is a measure used to evaluate the suitability of water for irrigation based
on its sodium content relative to calcium and magnesium. This index is particularly useful for understanding
potential sodium hazards in irrigation water, as high sodium concentrations can adversely affect soil structure
and crop health.
• KR < 1 indicates the water is good for irrigation. Low sodium levels relative to calcium and magnesium mean the
water poses minimal risk of sodium hazard to soil structure, and there is a reduced likelihood of issues like soil
compaction or reduced permeability.

• the KR values > 1 are considered indicative of causing alkali hazard to the soils.High sodium levels relative to
calcium and magnesium suggest a higher sodium hazard, which can displace calcium and magnesium in the soil. This
displacement can lead to poor soil structure, reduced permeability, compaction, and ultimately poor plant growth.

• KR = Na+/ Ca2+ + Mg2+

• Magnesium Hazard
• It is thought that one of the significant qualitative criteria in judging the irrigation water is its Mg content in
relation to total divalent cations, since high Mg adsorption by soils influence their physical properties. It is
computed by by means of the subsequent formula:
• Magnesium Hazard= 𝑀𝑔2+ ∗ 100
𝐶𝑎2+ + 𝑀𝑔2+

• High magnesium levels in irrigation water can impact soil health and crop productivity by causing soil
compaction and reducing permeability:
• Soil Structure: High magnesium concentrations relative to calcium can weaken soil particles' binding, leading to
soil dispersion and compaction. Over time, compacted soil restricts root penetration and water movement.
• Plant Health: Excessive magnesium can also lead to nutrient imbalances, particularly reducing calcium uptake
by plants. Calcium is essential for plant cell wall stability and growth, so a shortage can inhibit plant
development.
• MH<50- Suitable -A lower proportion of magnesium relative to calcium means a reduced risk of soil dispersion
and compaction, preserving soil structure and permeability.
• MH>50-Unsuitable-Higher magnesium relative to calcium can increase the risk of soil structure issues, leading
to reduced permeability, compaction, and limited root growth.
Permeability Index
• Permeability Index (PI) quantifies the effect of water’s ion composition on soil permeability. It’s calculated
based on the concentrations of calcium (Ca²⁺), magnesium (Mg²⁺), sodium (Na⁺), and bicarbonate (HCO₃⁻) in
irrigation water. It is defined as:

𝑁𝑎+ + 𝐻𝐶𝑂3 ∗ 100

• PI%=
𝐶𝑎2+ + 𝑀𝑔2+ + 𝑁𝑎+

Zones in the EPM vs PI Plot

1. Class I (High PI, Low EPM):
1. PI > 75% and Low EPM (<10 meq/L)-Water in this class has a high permeability index and low salinity,
indicating minimal risk to soil permeability. Such water is suitable for almost all crops and soil types without
special management practices.
2. Class II (Moderate PI, Moderate EPM):
1. PI between 50% and 75% and EPM between 10 and 20 meq/L.-Water in this category is generally
suitable but may require some monitoring. It’s recommended for use in soils with good drainage or with salt-
tolerant crops. Mild amendments (such as gypsum) may help maintain soil structure over time.
3. Class III (Low PI, High EPM):
1. PI < 50% and High EPM (>20 meq/L)-This water has a low permeability index and high salinity, making it
unsuitable for irrigation without significant soil management. High EPM and low PI can lead to soil crusting,
compaction, and poor drainage. The water may require pretreatment or amendments to counteract these
effects, and should only be used in soils with excellent drainage or for highly salt-tolerant crops.
•X-Axis: Equivalent Permeability Measure (EPM),
representing overall ion concentration or salinity.
•Y-Axis: Permeability Index (PI), representing the
suitability of water for maintaining soil permeability.

•Management Practices:
•For Class I water, no significant management is needed.
•For Class II water, periodic soil testing and amendments
may be required.
•For Class III water, significant interventions such as
gypsum applications, improved drainage, and regular
leaching are essential to mitigate soil damage.