Salt exists in two forms in nature i.e. in sea water and in the form of Halite a mineral rock of common salt. Common salt can be prepared by evaporation of sea water. Seawater is collected in division of land and it is allowed to evaporate under sunlight. Water is evaporated leaving behind mixtures of salt, form which common salt is separated by dissolving it in suitable reagent and then, recrystallizing salt from the solution.

Sources of Sodium Chloride in Nature

Salt, also known as sodium chloride (NaCl), is a mineral compound that is widely used in various industries and in our everyday lives. It occurs naturally in different forms and is found in abundance in several environments. The two main ways in which common salt occurs in nature are:

1. Sea Water
Sea water is one of the primary sources of sodium chloride on Earth. It is estimated that about 3.5% of the total weight of seawater is composed of dissolved salts, with sodium chloride being the most abundant. Here is an explanation of the process:

- Evaporation: Sea water contains various dissolved minerals, including sodium chloride. When the sun's heat causes the water to evaporate, the concentration of salts in the remaining water increases.
- Crystallization: As more water evaporates, the concentration of sodium chloride reaches a point where it starts to crystallize. Crystals of salt are formed and settle at the bottom or on the shores of the sea.
- Harvesting: Salt can be harvested from sea salt pans, which are shallow man-made pools where sea water is allowed to evaporate. Once the water has completely evaporated, the remaining salt can be collected and processed.

2. Salt Mines
Salt can also be found in underground deposits known as salt mines. These mines are formed through the following geological process:

- Evaporite Formation: In ancient times, large bodies of water, such as seas or lakes, would occasionally evaporate due to geological changes. As the water evaporated, the dissolved minerals, including sodium chloride, were left behind.
- Deposition and Compression: Over time, layers of sediment and other minerals accumulated on top of the evaporated water deposits, burying them deep underground. The weight of the overlying sediments caused the salt deposits to become compacted and solidified.
- Salt Mining: Salt mines are created by extracting the salt deposits from underground. Miners drill shafts and tunnels to reach the salt layers, and then the salt is extracted using various methods, such as drilling, blasting, or continuous mining machines.

In conclusion, sodium chloride, or common salt, occurs in nature primarily through the evaporation of seawater and the formation of salt mines. Understanding these natural sources of salt is crucial for its extraction and utilization in various industries and for meeting our daily needs.

From evaporation of water in oceans and sea