Incidence of fluid inclusions on the chemical quality of salt produced in Sfax Saline (E.S OF TUNISIA)

Abstract

Halite-crystals produced in solar salts Works of Sfax Saline (E.S of TUNISIA), more often, contain fluid inclusions which fill inter- and intra-crystalline cavities and represent from 3 to 5 % in mass. With the sole aim of quantifying the impact of fluid inclusions on chemical quality of NaCl crystals, we proceeded by a comparison of the analytical results obtained from the analysis of primary salt samples with those obtained upon the same samples cleared out as much as possible of their inclusions by grinding in ethanol. The results obtained for bromine, potassium, magnesium and heavy metals (Cu, Mn, Pb, Zn and Cd) show that these inclusions have a chemical composition similar to that of mother brines. The decrease of salt -crystals size, by washing, using saturated brines, largely contributes to the reduction of impurities in alimentary sea salt. © 2010 Global NEST.