Abstract: Characteristics of salinization of saline soil in west coast area of Bohai gulf are closely related to ground elevation of plain, climate conditions, physical and hydrological properties of soil, mineralization of groundwater, and people’s actions. So far as degree of salinization, it has been investigated that salt content of soil in higher elevation position is more than that in lower elevation position; salt content of soil in upper level point is more than that in lower level point; and the effective depth of salinization of soil above groundwater table is about one meter because of evaporation and rainfall. In pace with weather change, saline soil in inshore area shows some characteristics, such as salt accumulation in top soil in spring because of evaporation; and salt moving down in summer because of rainfall. With an increase of depth, salt content of soil decreases slowly in vertical direction, but salt content raise slightly near groundwater table; and the grade of salinization of soil is classified into three kinds of sections of salt content from ground surface to groundwater table; i.e. evaporation and salt accumulation section, changeable salt content section, and salt solution section. In horizontal direction, i.e. toward the coastal line of Bohai gulf, the soil changes gradually from slight salinization to high salinization via moderate salinization, and salt content and degree of salinization of soil is more and more obvious. Degree of salinization of top soil is serious at the condition of a sallow groundwater table and more mineralization of groundwater.

Key words: saline soil in inshore, west coast area of Bohai gulf, salinization, salt content of soil, mineralization of groundwater