A salt lake or saline lake is a landlocked body of water that has a concentration of salts (typically sodium chloride) and other dissolved minerals significantly higher than most lakes (often defined as at least three grams of salt per litre). In some cases, salt lakes have a higher concentration of salt than sea water; such lakes can also be termed hypersaline lakes. An alkalic salt lake that has a high content of carbonate is sometimes termed a soda lake
Saline lake classification:
- subsaline 0.5–3 ‰
- hyposaline 3–20 ‰
- mesosaline 20–50 ‰
- hypersaline greater than 50 ‰
Salt lakes form when the water flowing into the lake, containing salt or minerals, cannot leave because the lake is endorheic (terminal). The water then evaporates, leaving behind any dissolved salts and thus increasing its salinity, making a salt lake an excellent place for salt production. High salinity will also lead to a unique halophilic flora and fauna in the lake in question; sometimes, in fact, the result may be an absence or near absence of life near the salt lake. If the amount of water flowing into a lake is less than the amount evaporated, the lake will eventually disappear and leave a dry lake (also called playa or salt flat).
- Based on the your reading, what would be the saline classification for Salt Lake?
- Describe how the lake looks, does it differ from other pothole lakes you have seen in the area?
- Go down to the edge of the lake and take a glass of it. Describe the liquid. Can you see through it? Are there particles floating in it? What does it smell like? What does it taste like?
- What is the pH of the lake?
- OPTIONAL: Photos are always appreciated.
