ISSN:
1432-0967
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Geosciences
Notes:
Abstract Seawater at different stages of evaporation from the salt works of Sečovlje near Portorož (Yugoslavia) was analyzed geochemically. The seawater there passes through 20 stages of concentration until the first halite crystallizes. All important parameters were determined at all stages: concentrations of Cl, SO4, Na, K, Ca, Mg, and Br, temperature, pH, Eh, oxygen content and titration alkalinity. With increasing evaporation calcium carbonate crystallizes first followed by calcium sulphate as gypsum and after these halite. All three components crystallize from supersaturated solutions. The pH of the initial seawater is 8.32; it falls abruptly to 6.65 when the first calcium carbonate precipitates. Eh in the original seawater is +393 mv; negative values were found in the halite crystallization pans, which contain an anaerobic mud as a reducing agent. The oxygen content of the solution decreases parallel to the drop in Eh. In the pans in which NaCl crystallizes Eh is zero. Apparently the mud also adsorbs K, as can be inferred from a change in the Mg/K ratio. The bromine partition between crystallizing halite and the brine in the salt pans of Sečovlje is discussed with regard to some genetic problems of marine salt deposits. In the conditions in the salt pans the bromine partition coefficient at the beginning of NaCl crystallization from seawater—expressed as b=wt.-% Br (mineral)/wt.-% Br (solution)—is 0.12 to 0.14 or—expressed as D=Br/Cl(mineral)/Br/Cl(solution)—0.030 to 0.034 at temperatures between 33° C and 42° C. The conclusion is that a Br content of about 60 to 75 ppm is to be expected for the first halite that crystallizes from evaporating seawater.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00371760
