ABSTRACT
This study is the first to map soil salinity in Denmark and develop an understanding of its dynamics. Baseline salinity is defined at locations distant from the sea in contrast to coastal areas which are affected by flooding by the sea, seepage, spray from waves and/or aerosols. Measurements were done in two consecutive winter-spring seasons, 2018/19 and 2019/20, following one growth season and winter with rain significantly below average and one with rain significantly above average, respectively. No accumulation of salt in soil was observed, except on the island of Laesoe. The increase of soil salinity elsewhere in Denmark by any process is suggested to be only temporary due to an annual precipitation of rain generally exceeding evapotranspiration. Yet, soil salinization in some locations could be significant in the future due to extensive flooding from the North Sea or seasons of significant aerosol transport combined with reduced precipitation of rain.
