A salt-transport model within a land-surface scheme for studies of salinisation in irrigated areas

Modelling solute transport in an unsaturated zone (vadose) depends very much on the simulation of soil moisture and moisture fluxes, which are strongly influenced by precipitation, evapotranspiration, surface runoff and land-surface properties. To provide good approximations of soil moisture and moisture fluxes, a model capable of simulating land-surface processes is required. In this study, a salt-transport model is developed within the framework of a land-surface model that has detailed treatment of relevant land- surface processes. This coupled model is then applied to investigate the impact of irrigation water on land salinisation in a rice growing area.