Problem Set 3 Question 2 d

As covered back in January, presence of solutes (or salts) reduces the total potential energy of water molecules, primarily because of the reduced freedom of movement of the water molecules that cluster around each solute ion. The greater the concentration of solutes the more the osmotic potential of water molecules is lowered. Or in other words, the more saline soil is, the lower the osmotic potential of water molecules in that soil.

Thank you!