How did the climate contribute to making the soils of Mesopotamia salty? In the dry climate, rivers flood and fields become waterlogged. In the dry climate, water evaporates rapidly leaving salts behind. In the dry climate, silts get deposited by rivers more easily. In the dry climate, the water table rises.

The climate of Mesopotamia, characterized by its arid conditions, played a significant role in the salinization of its soils. Let's analyze the provided statements to understand how they contribute to this phenomenon: 1. **In the dry climate, rivers flood and fields become waterlogged.** - While flooding can lead to temporary waterlogging, it is not the primary factor contributing to soil salinity in the long term. Waterlogged conditions can lead to anaerobic conditions, but they do not directly cause salinization. 2. **In the dry climate, water evaporates rapidly leaving salts behind.** - This statement is crucial. In arid regions, high temperatures and low humidity lead to rapid evaporation of water from the soil surface. When water evaporates, it leaves behind dissolved salts, which accumulate in the soil over time. This process is a significant contributor to soil salinity. 3. **In the dry climate, silts get deposited by rivers more easily.** - While rivers do deposit silts, this process does not directly relate to salinization. Silts can improve soil fertility, but they do not inherently contribute to the accumulation of salts. 4. **In the dry climate, the water table rises.** - A rising water table can lead to salinization if it brings saline groundwater closer to the surface. However, this is more of a consequence of irrigation practices rather than a direct result of the dry climate itself. In summary, the most significant factor contributing to the salinization of soils in Mesopotamia is the rapid evaporation of water, which leaves salts behind. Therefore, the correct statement is: **In the dry climate, water evaporates rapidly leaving salts behind.**