All soils, [[filter media]], and [[green roof media]] contain some water soluble salts which include essential nutrients for plant growth. When the concentration of water soluble salts exceeds a certain level, harmful effects on plant growth occur. A soil containing a high concentration of soluble salts is referred to as a saline soil. Salt-affected soils often result from the flow of salty water onto an area, either laterally (e.g., intentional [[infiltration]] of [[winter#salt|deicing salt]] laden runoff in LID BMPs; de-icing salt laden runoff splashed onto roadside soils) or by artesian flow of salty groundwater onto [[topsoil]]. | All soils, [[filter media]], and [[green roof media]] contain some water soluble salts which include essential nutrients for plant growth. When the concentration of water soluble salts exceeds a certain level, harmful effects on plant growth occur. A soil containing a high concentration of soluble salts is referred to as a saline soil. Salt-affected soils often result from the flow of salty water onto an area, either laterally (e.g., intentional [[infiltration]] of [[winter#salt|deicing salt]] laden runoff in LID BMPs; de-icing salt laden runoff splashed onto roadside soils) or by artesian flow of salty groundwater onto [[topsoil]]. |