Aquisalids

Aquisalid soils are strongly saline or very strongly saline (salic horizon) soils in coastal and inland salt flats (sabkhas). Despite the presence of groundwater within 1 meter from the soil surface, the high salinity makes these soils physiologically dry. Textures are mostly loamy or sandy. Aquisalids are considered permanently unsuitable for irrigated agriculture due to the near-surface saline groundwater with a high salt content (AD128).

Aquisalids cover 218,186 hectares, or about 3% of the UAE.