Summary
Salt: A Vital Mineral with 14,000 Known Uses
Salt is a vital mineral with 14,000 known uses, ranging from flavoring food to softening water, and is a key ingredient in products like glass, rubber, and paint. Composed of sodium and chlorine, two volatile elements, salt is essential to life but can be deadly in excess. Historically, control of salt has been a significant factor in the power and prosperity of nations, with China and the United States currently ranking as the top two salt-producing countries.
The Importance of Salt in Human Life
The human body contains over half a pound of salt, which acts as an electrolyte to keep the body’s electrical systems in balance, aiding in the functioning of nerves, the brain, and other systems. Salt is also hardwired into humans as a basic taste, making foods more palatable by masking bitter tastes and enhancing sweet ones. The average American consumes around 15 pounds of sodium per year, mostly through processed foods.
Salt Mining and Production
The salt mining process involves dislodging large amounts of salt, typically between 1,100 and 1,200 tons, which is then crushed and screened to a size of less than half an inch. The Cargill Salt Mine in Cleveland, Ohio, produces over 13,000 tons of salt daily and has approximately 150 years of reserves remaining. Alternatively, solution mining is used in Silver Springs, New York, where fresh water is injected into a subterranean salt deposit to create a brine solution, which is then boiled to separate the salt from the water using vacuum pans that operate at lower temperatures.
De-icing Roads with Salt
In the US, nearly half of the salt produced is used to melt ice and snow on winter roads, with around 16 million tons applied annually to counter the 600,000 traffic accidents and 2,200 fatalities caused by snow and ice. The proper application of salt is crucial for de-icing roads, as under or over salting can reduce its effectiveness, with the ideal rate being around 250-300 pounds per acre. However, excessive salt use can lead to corrosion problems for cars and infrastructure, costing Americans billions of dollars annually.
Historical Significance of Salt
Salt has been a highly valued commodity throughout history, even being traded for gold at one point due to its scarcity. Its importance was particularly evident during times of war, such as the American Civil War, where Union troops targeted salt storage and production facilities to weaken the Confederacy. Today, salt is still a crucial component of human survival, and its unique properties make it an effective preservative, allowing colonial fishermen to export vast amounts of cod and still used today in foods like hams.
Culinary Uses of Salt
Salt’s unique properties make it an effective flavor enhancer, with over 40 different types of salt from around the world used in various aspects of meal preparation. These salts, each with distinct characteristics due to natural minerals or processing methods, are used to add flavor and texture to dishes, from salads to desserts, and even coffee. A fragrant salt blend, such as Bolivian Rose, can be created by incorporating lavender into salt, resulting in a unique flavor enhancer for desserts.
Desalination and Seawater
The abundance of salt in the oceans, which cover over 70% of the Earth’s surface, makes seawater undrinkable, but technology can provide a solution at a high cost. The largest seawater desalination plant in North America, located in Tampa, Florida, uses a series of filters to remove impurities, followed by reverse osmosis, where the water is forced through membranes with molecular-sized pores, allowing pure water molecules to pass through while keeping out salt particles, resulting in 25 million gallons of drinkable water being produced daily.
Industrial Uses of Salt
Salt is also used in an industrial process called meloniting, which involves melting salt to add a protective layer to steel parts, increasing their hardness and slowing corrosion and wear. This process is used in various industries, including automotive and oil drilling, to create parts that can withstand severe environments and last longer. Additionally, salt is used in innovative systems like Solar Trace, which uses molten salt as an energy storage device to revolutionize the world of renewable energy.
The Great Salt Lake and Bonneville Salt Flats
The Great Salt Lake in Utah, with its high salinity of 15% in the southern half and 25% in the northern half, has unique properties, including different colors and lifeforms, due to the difference in salinity. The lake’s high salinity makes life for fish impossible, but it has been a popular spot for resorts and tourists, who can experience the buoyant effects of the saltwater, making it impossible to sink. The Bonneville Salt Flats, a 160 square mile area in Utah, is a remnant of a ancient lake that dried up over thousands of years, leaving behind a vast expanse of salt, and has become a mecca for speed enthusiasts, who come to test their vehicles’ limits and attempt to break land speed records.
Conclusion
The natural resource being discussed is abundant, but not endless, and it’s essential to manage it for future generations. The salt flats have an abundance of salt, which is unusual considering its scarcity throughout most of human history. This highlights the importance of appreciating the value of salt, and not taking it for granted, as it was once a highly valued commodity that was even used as a form of payment.
Key Vocabulary
| Term | Definition | Example Usage |
|---|---|---|
| Electrolyte | A substance that helps regulate the balance of fluids in the body and maintain proper muscle and nerve function. | Salt acts as an electrolyte to keep the body’s electrical systems in balance. |
| Desalination | The process of removing salt and other minerals from seawater to produce fresh water. | The largest seawater desalination plant in North America uses a series of filters and reverse osmosis to remove impurities and produce 25 million gallons of drinkable water daily. |
| Meloniting | An industrial process that involves melting salt to add a protective layer to steel parts, increasing their hardness and slowing corrosion and wear. | Meloniting is used in various industries, including automotive and oil drilling, to create parts that can withstand severe environments and last longer. |
| Salinity | The concentration of dissolved salts in water, usually measured in parts per thousand (ppt) or percentage. | The Great Salt Lake has a high salinity of 15% in the southern half and 25% in the northern half, making life for fish impossible. |
| Reverse Osmosis | A water purification process that uses a semipermeable membrane to remove impurities and salt from water. | The largest seawater desalination plant in North America uses reverse osmosis to produce 25 million gallons of drinkable water daily. |
| Solution Mining | A mining process that involves dissolving a mineral, such as salt, in a solvent, such as water, to extract it from the earth. | Solution mining is used in Silver Springs, New York, to extract salt from subterranean deposits. |
| De-icing | The process of removing ice or frost from a surface, often using salt or other chemicals. | Nearly half of the salt produced in the US is used to melt ice and snow on winter roads. |
| Brine Solution | A solution of salt and water, often used in industrial processes or as a byproduct of desalination. | Fresh water is injected into a subterranean salt deposit to create a brine solution, which is then boiled to separate the salt from the water. |
| Vacuum Pans | A type of equipment used to boil and separate salt from a brine solution, often under vacuum conditions. | Vacuum pans are used in solution mining to separate salt from the brine solution at lower temperatures. |
| Corrosion | The deterioration of materials, often due to chemical reactions with their environment, such as rust or decay. | Excessive salt use can lead to corrosion problems for cars and infrastructure, costing Americans billions of dollars annually. |
Watch The Video
Vocabulary Quiz
1. Which word means ‘having a strong and unpleasant smell’ in the context of salt blends?
A) Volatile
B) Fragrant
C) Palatable
D) Pungent
2. What is the term for the process of removing impurities from seawater to make it drinkable?
A) Desalination
B) Meloniting
C) Solution mining
D) Electrolysis
3. Which of the following is a result of excessive salt use on roads?
A) Increased road safety
B) Reduced traffic accidents
C) Corrosion problems for cars and infrastructure
D) Improved road durability
4. What is the purpose of using vacuum pans in solution mining?
A) To boil the brine solution and separate salt from water
B) To crush and screen salt to a size of less than half an inch
C) To inject fresh water into a subterranean salt deposit
D) To produce over 13,000 tons of salt daily
5. What is the term for the process of melting salt to add a protective layer to steel parts?
A) Meloniting
B) Desalination
C) Solution mining
D) Electrolysis
Answer Key:
1. B
2. A
3. C
4. A
5. A
Grammar Focus
Grammar Focus: The Use of Passive Voice in Describing Processes and General Facts
Grammar Quiz:
Choose the correct form of the verb in parentheses to complete each sentence.
- The salt is mined mine was mined to produce over 13,000 tons daily.
- The human body contains is containing contain over half a pound of salt.
- Fresh water is injected inject was injected into a subterranean salt deposit to create a brine solution.
- Salt is used use was used to melt ice and snow on winter roads.
- The water is forced force was forced through membranes with molecular-sized pores to produce pure water.
Answer Key:
- a) is mined
- a) contains
- a) is injected
- a) is used
- a) is forced