Since our activities are concentrated in an area of low rainfall at the Atlantic coastline with high evaporation rates, the logical consequence is the production of solar salt by means of evaporation pans. The seawater evaporates in successive ponds until the brine is fully concentrated and salt crystallizes on the floor of the crystallizing ponds.

Seawater contains about 3.5% (by weight) dissolved minerals. Sodium chloride constitutes more than 99% of that amount, the remainder being mainly calcium, magnesium and sulphate ions, altogether less than 0.5%. As seawater evaporates, its volume decreases and the concentration of sodium chloride in the resulting brine increases. Click here to see an average analysis.

The concentrating ponds will show distinct colouration, a pink or red, depending on the salt concentration and what species of plant and shrimp find it habitable. Salt crystals begin to form when the brine reaches 28.8% sodium chloride (NaCi). As evaporation proceeds a layer of salt builds up on the earthen crystallizer floors to a thickness of 60 to 80 cm (24-31 inches). A layer of salt remains in the crystallizers as “salt Floors” to provide support for “harvesting” equipment and to lessen the chance of clay and soil contamination of the salt.

After the salt “crop” reaches the appropriate thickness, the salt is harvested with mobile equipment, washed, and stockpiled in order to drain. The principal impurities in solar salt refer to small amounts of calcium and magnesium sulphate, and magnesium chloride. Clean brine is used to wash the salt and remove small amounts of impurities such as these.