Resource Key
When accessing content use the numbers below to guide you:
LEVEL 1
brief, basic information laid out in an easy-to-read format. May use informal language. (Includes most news articles)
LEVEL 2
provides additional background information and further reading. Introduces some subject-specific language.
LEVEL 3
lengthy, detailed information. Frequently uses technical/subject-specific language. (Includes most analytical articles)
Databases
- JSTOR This link opens in a new windowScholarly resources on JSTOR include Archival and Current Journals, Books, and Primary Sources.
- Australia/New Zealand Reference Centre Plus This link opens in a new windowThis resource provides the largest collection of full text from leading regional and international newspapers and periodicals, full-text reference books, tens of thousands of full-text biographies, and a collection of images containing more than one million photos, maps, and flags.
- Britannica Schools This link opens in a new windowBritannica School covers the core subject areas of English, Maths, Science and History. Interactive lessons, activities, games, stories, worksheets, manipulatives, study guides and research tools.
Introduction to Salinity
- Queensland Government. (2013, October 8). Types of salinity. Retrieved from https://www.qld.gov.au/environment/land/soil/salinity/types/This government website explains: types of salinity, how to identify salinity and the impacts of salinity.
- Department of Agriculture and Food. (2015). Soil salinity. Retrieved from https://www.agric.wa.gov.au/climate-land-water/soils/soil-constraints/soil-salinityThe Department of Agriculture and Food, Western Australia can provide the technical information needed to assist landholders and the community to reduce the extent and effect of salinity. Through activities such as groundwater and soil analysis, landholders can confidently assess salinity risks and implement appropriate management responses.
- NSW Government Office of Environment and Heritage. (2013, October 11). Processes of salinity. Retrieved from http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/salinity/basics/processes.htmSalinity is a problem in Australia because most of our groundwater and surface water systems are poorly drained and enormous amounts of salt are stored in the landscape. As water moves through the landscape, salts stored in the soil and water are picked up and carried to different parts of the landscape.
- Agriculture Victoria. (1999, December). Salinity explained. Retrieved from http://agriculture.vic.gov.au/agriculture/farm-management/soil-and-water/salinity/salinity-explainedSalinity refers to the movement and concentration of salt, in landscapes. Both soil and natural waters can become saline. Hence salinity can be described as either soil salinity or water salinity.
- George, R. (2015, December 3). Diagnosing salinity in cereals. Retrieved from https://www.agric.wa.gov.au/mycrop/diagnosing-salinity-cerealsSalinity affects growth by reducing plant root ability to extract water from the soil, and chloride toxicity. Salinity damage varies from season to season due to variations in soil salt concentration as waterlogging increases salinity effects.
- Murphy, J. (1999). Salinity - our silent disaster. Retrieved from http://www.abc.net.au/science/slab/salinity/default.htmAustralia is facing an environmental problem that could, and very likely will, bring our economy to its knees, if we continue to ignore it the way we have in the past. We have known about it since 1924, but only since the 1970s have we seriously tried to understand it and combat it. Now it's accelerating, and we may have already lost the battle.
- Wiliamson, D. (2012, November 23). Salinity. Retrieved from http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/Previousproducts/1301.0Feature%20Article11990?opendocument&tabname=Summary&prodno=1301.0&issue=1990&num=&view=This article includes definitions and terms on salinity as well as statistics on the extent of human-induced land and water salinity in Australia.
- Murray Darling Basin Authority. (2015, February 4). Basin salinity management strategy 2001–2015. Retrieved from http://www.mdba.gov.au/publications/mdba-reports/general-review-salinity-managementThe Basin Salinity Management Strategy (BSMS) guides communities and all Australian governments in working together to control salinity and protecting key natural resource values within their catchments, consistent with the principles of the Integrated Catchment Management Policy Statement (ICM).
Radio Interviews
- ABC News (2016). Salinity radio interviews. Retrieved from http://www.abc.net.au/news/topic/salinityVarious interviews conducted by radio.
Definitions
- ecosystem noun - a system, or a group of interconnected elements, formed by the interaction of a community of organisms with their environment.
- salt noun - a crystalline compound, sodium chloride, NaCl, occurring as a mineral, a constituent of seawater, etc., and used for seasoning food, as a preservative, etc.
- salinity Salinity is the presence of salts (such as sodium chloride, magnesium and calcium sulfates) and bicarbonates, in soil and water.
- independant variable Variable the experimenter manipulates (i.e. changes) – assumed to have a direct effect on the dependent variable.
- dependent variable Variable the experimenter measures, after making changes to the IV that are assumed to affect the DV.
Soil Testing
- Charnock, P. (2009, October). Measuring water salinity. Retrieved from http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0006/303666/Measuring-water-salinity.pdfThis article explains the process for testing water salinity.
- DPI. (2000, October 8). Salinity. Retrieved from http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0008/168866/texture-salinity.pdfThis article on salinity describes how to texture soils and test for salinity.
Senior Library Books
- Sustainable Land Management byCall Number: 333. 730 994 SUISBN: 9781921507557Publication Date: 2011, July 27Land degradation can have severe economic and environmental consequences. Almost two-thirds of land in Australia has been modified for human use, primarily for grazing on natural vegetation. Clearing of native vegetation continues to occur for agriculture, plantation forestry, and urban development. Over the past two centuries, as land use has intensified for a growing population in this arid land, vast areas of native vegetation have been cleared or degraded, resulting in adverse affects on biodiversity, soil and water quality and the spread of weeds, feral pests and diseases. This book examines the damaging impacts of Australia's land use and agricultural activity, and proposes improvements to current farming systems, including more sustainable use of water and soil, and development of new systems for irrigation, fertilisation and water use. To ensure long-term sustainability, land managers need to consider economic, social and environmental factors. How do we meet the needs of the present without depleting
- Salinity byCall Number: 631.4 BURISBN: 9781740705219Publication Date: 2008 Jul 30DescriptionProduct Details
Salinity is one of Australia's biggest environmental problems. A build-up of salt in the soil, waterways and ground water is damaging Australia's landscape and making it difficult for vegetation to survive and grow. How does salinity occur, and what can be done to stop it advancing further? Salinity explores the problem of too much salt in Australia's natural landscape, as well as explaining the steps that need to be taken to combat salinity.