Halite rock salt. Origin, properties and uses of rock salt

Halite is the only mineral in nature that people eat. Halite is commonly called rock salt or table salt. The word "halite" comes from the Greek gallos - sea salt.

Halite is an ordinary salt that everyone eats every day. The name of the mineral in Ancient Greece meant both salt and sea.

Genetic classification. Halite is formed almost exclusively by sedimentation, crystallizing from natural brines. Due to the fact that its solubility is almost independent of temperature, it is separated from other dissolved salts. The same reason determines the tendency of halite to form skeletal and dendritic forms. Rock salt is deposited in sea bays when water evaporates.

Compound. Chemical formula NaCl with quite frequent admixtures of KCl, CaCl2 and MgCl2.

Features of education. It is assumed that halite is formed on earth's surface during sedimentation in sea lagoons and salt lakes (in the latter case- during the evaporation of underground mineralized waters). However, according to some signs, the accumulation of thick layers of halite (hundreds of meters thick) requires certain conditions in the upper zones earth's crust and metamorphism of sediments at low pressures and temperatures.

Place of Birth. Sedimentary deposits of halite are found in many places, including at a depth of 1,700 meters near Moscow. In Russia, halite is mined in the Donbass, Perm region, Lower Volga region and Ukraine in Transcarpathia. Wieliczka, Inowroclaw and Bochnia (Poland) are famous for their beautiful examples. Large deposits are located in Germany (Strasbourg), Austria (Salzburg), and Ukraine. Halite is sodium chloride. The color of the mineral is most often white, but there are colorless, blue and red crystals.

Physical properties

a) color: halite occurs in nature in transparent or white(from air bubbles), red (from scattered particles of hematite), gray (from admixtures of clay particles), yellow and blue (from scattered metallic sodium),
b) hardness: 2, cleavage perfect to the cube,
c) density: 2.2,
d) degree of transparency: halite has a weak glassy luster.

Medicinal properties

Halite is used in a solution with iodine and water to gargle for sore throat, laryngitis and tonsillitis. A solution of warm water (1 tablespoon of mineral per glass) with halite relieves acute toothache. A clothes bag with hot salt is applied to areas affected by radiculitis, it is used to warm the chest during bronchitis, and to remove boils and boils.

Magic properties

At first glance, it may seem that the usual (but extremely necessary) seasoning for our food - salt - cannot have any magical powers. But let's remember what our relationship really is to salt, or, in the language of mineralogists, to halite. What do we mean when we say: “I ate a ton of salt with him”? With this phrase we emphasize not only a long-term acquaintance with a person, but also complete trust in him. Moreover, note that the degree of intimacy and trust is measured not by bread, sugar or potatoes, but by salt.

And who doesn’t remember the phrases “salt of the earth”, “that’s the salt”, “what’s the salt of your story” and so on? It seems that these simple figures speeches are used for figurative language and do not have any hidden meaning. However, in almost all fairy tales and legends of the peoples of the world there is a mention of salt as the strongest amulet against witchcraft, evil spirits and against various troubles and misfortunes. For example, Vasilisa the Wise averts the eyes of Koshchei the Immortal and directs him in the other direction, throwing a handful of salt between herself and the pursuer; Baba Yaga gives salt to Ivan the Soldier as a talisman when he goes to the distant kingdom for his bride (that is, to world of the dead). In European legends, the bride sprinkles salt on the table at which the groom, who has forgotten her and himself, is feasting, his eyes open, and he remembers his own name, his beloved, etc.

There was an opinion among the military that salt protected against wounds and death in battle. It was not for nothing that (even during the Second World War) a soldier took with him to the front a bundle with a handful of his native soil mixed with a pinch of salt.

And what can we say about the famous salt conspiracies to protect a person on the road from dashing people, to attract love; for “drying up” tears (from depression), for good luck, for happiness, for various diseases, etc. Any village healer knows that salt(halite) has the strongest magical properties, both protecting and strengthening the connection between man and the Earth. How can you take advantage of these wonderful qualities of halite? First of all, make amulets, amulets and talismans out of it. It must be said that this magical assistant will serve a person regardless of what zodiac sign he was born under.

Talismans and amulets

As a talisman, halite serves its owner to attract good luck, love, and the sympathy of other people. As a talisman, it protects it from accidental wounds, injuries, and attacks by dashing people. Halite is an amulet against the influence of evil spirits on a person ( negative energy), clears the room and the owner’s mind of negativity, helps to achieve a successful career. It is not difficult to prepare a talisman, amulet or talisman - sew a pinch of salt (preferably a crystal) into a small piece of cotton cloth and carry it with you at all times in your pocket, bag or around your neck as an amulet. The only condition that must be met for the amulet to work successfully is that you not only do not need to show it to anyone, but you don’t even need to tell them that you have it.

Applications. More than two and a half centuries ago, difficulties with delivery salt forced the commander of the First Kamchatka Expedition V. Bering to organize the extraction of salt on the Pacific coast in Okhotsk in 1726, where it was obtained from sea water by freezing. The production started by the “people of the Bering expedition” and the plant that arose on its basis functioned for over a hundred years.

Sea salt has long been brewed by Russian Pomors on the coast. White Sea and was called a long-tailed woman.

In ancient times, salt was valued, it was an item of state trade, and because of it, wars and popular unrest arose. In Rus' in the 16th century they introduced single tax for salt - two hryvnias per pound, which was equivalent to a double increase in price, and in the spring of 1648 a salt riot broke out in Moscow, and then in Pskov and Novgorod.

Salty taste is a unique and most important property of halite. IN pure form this taste is characteristic only of halite and is, without a doubt, a way developed by long evolution to accurately isolate this substance, which is irreplaceable in its biological functions, among which the main one is maintaining salt balance, a necessary condition for metabolism in tissues and cells. This mineral can rightfully be considered priceless.

Each person needs to eat about 5-6 kg of table salt per year. For all of humanity, this amounts to about 7 million tons annually (for chemical industries - several times more). Once upon a time a slave was bought for a couple of bricks of salt; V Central Africa they were literally worth their weight in gold. But with the success of geological searches for halite deposits and its artificial cultivation, as well as thanks to improved transport and active trade, the “salt passions” subsided. This invaluable mineral, which is impossible to do without, is sold at very affordable prices.

Let us once again emphasize a very important circumstance: it was precisely starting with halite that it was possible to organize an artificial cycle of renewal of mineral raw materials. This is already real geotechnology. And if it began for halite several centuries ago, now its methods are used more widely, although still too limited only for some minerals, mainly easily soluble. In this case, most often we are talking about underground mineless mining, rather than renewing reserves of valuable raw materials. However, the protection of mineral resources requires the creation of closed cycles for many, if not all, minerals and chemical elements.

Several centuries ago, common salt was one of the most valuable commodities in world trade. In modern times, the relative value of salt has decreased markedly compared to other minerals. Oil, gas, and other resources filled the information space, and mentions of salt became quite rare. Meanwhile, in all spheres of human activity, salt continues to play a vital and difficult to replace role.

The meaning of salt

You may hear different names used for salt. The most commonly mentioned are rock salt and table salt. If we omit some of the nuances that we will talk about below, then both rock and table salt are the same sodium chloride (NaCl). The importance of this chemical compound cannot be overestimated.

Naturally, first we should talk about rock or table salt as a food additive necessary for the human body. Normal functioning of the human body is simply impossible without rock salt. For example, gastric juice contains a significant amount of hydrochloric acid, and the main raw material for its production by the body is salt. Ions of various substances are involved in the transmission of impulses along nerve fibers and in the work of muscle tissue. This includes sodium ions, the main supplier of which is salt used in food. In addition, it contains, in the form of impurities, manganese, chromium, iron - trace elements that are absolutely necessary for humans.

As for industry, it is difficult to find an industry that is not directly or indirectly dependent on processed products obtained from ordinary salt itself. This is, for example, sodium metal, which is widely used in nuclear energy and aircraft manufacturing. It is impossible to do without salt in the production of soap and in the dyeing business. NaCl is also a raw material for the chemical industry. Chlorine, various sodas, caustic soda, hydrochloric acid- a person gets all this from rock salt.

Livestock farming, agriculture and municipal services, and the drilling industry will not be able to function without ordinary salt.

IN percentage, the approximate distribution of all mined rock salt looks like this:

• most, about 60%, is consumed chemical industry as raw materials;
• approximately 25% is used in Food Industry;
• the remaining 15% of consumption comes from utilities, Agriculture and other areas of activity.

World consumption of rock salt is growing every year. Over the past seven years, the growth in production, and, consequently, consumption, has amounted to 5%.

History of rock salt mining.

The history of rock salt mining goes back not even centuries - millennia!

The sea coast of modern Bulgaria - dome-shaped adobe ovens were discovered here, in which salt was evaporated. This saltworks dates back to the fourth millennium BC. Ancient sources contain references to salt mining in the 5th century BC. Salt mines dating back to the Bronze Age have been found by archaeologists in Austria.

Throughout all these millennia, the work of a salt miner has been exceptionally difficult. A wheelbarrow, a pickaxe and a shovel are the tools that were used to mine rock salt. And only at the beginning of the twentieth century mechanization came to the salt fields.

In Russia, the first mention of salt fishing dates back to the 11th century. At the end of the 17th - beginning of the 18th centuries, salt production in Russia developed very widely. By the 19th century, annual production of rock salt reached 350,000 tons. And by the beginning of the 20th century, more than 1.8 million tons were mined annually in our country.

Now the annual volume of world salt production is approximately 210,000,000 tons, and this volume is constantly growing. The growth of consumption predetermines the need to develop production technology and improve processing. Today there are several ways industrial production salt.

Basin method of salt extraction

Huge, practically inexhaustible reserves of salt are contained in the water of the seas, oceans, and salt lakes. This salt is mined using the pool or self-planting method. Natural estuaries are separated from the sea by dunes or spits. In summer, when the weather is hot, the water in the estuaries evaporates intensively, and salt precipitates. Where there are no natural estuaries, artificial pools are built. The pools are filling up sea ​​water. After this, their connection with the sea is stopped, and the evaporation process occurs similarly to natural in estuaries, under the influence of the sun and wind. The precipitated salt is collected technologically. Equipment used is excavators, bulldozers, and, where necessary, hand shovels. This technology has remained unchanged for centuries. Mechanization only brought it to the modern industrial level. However, in the total volume of salt produced, this method takes only second place.

Mining fossil salt

In the first place is the extraction of fossil rock salt. Solid salt in the bowels of the Earth is otherwise called “halite”. Underground salt deposits were formed hundreds of millions of years ago on the site of ancient seas and oceans. These rocks can be either colorless or snow-white. But more often, impurities color halite in different colors: clay impurities give it grey colour, iron oxides - yellow or red, the presence of bitumen - will make the rock brown.

The development of fossil salt does not depend on the time of year and weather conditions, so more than 60% of world production comes from them. Underground deposits of rock salt can reach depths of 7-8 kilometers, and reach the very surface, forming above-ground domes.

Deposits with a depth of up to one hundred meters are developed by open-pit or open-pit mining. Having removed the top layer of soil and rocks covering the salt deposits, you can begin the direct extraction of salt. The explosive, mechanical method or their combination is used. With the explosive method, holes are drilled in rock salt layers, explosives are placed, and by the force of the explosion, pieces of the salt layer break off from the main mass. In the mechanical method, special equipment is used to destroy the massif: excavators, graders, winches, etc. Open way mining ensures the most complete extraction of minerals, has the lowest cost and the greatest safety of work. The disadvantages of quarrying are that the mined rock salt is susceptible to contamination by sediments, groundwater, and dust deposits.

The deeper the quarry becomes, the less pronounced the advantages of this mining method become. Especially its profitability. At a certain stage, the profitability of quarrying becomes equal to the profitability of mining using the shaft method. Then, to improve the quality of the extracted salt, they switch to the latter.

When deposits are located at a depth of more than a hundred meters, the mine method is used to extract rock salt. At the moment, the single-horizon method of opening has displaced all others from salt mines. It does not require a large volume capital works, quite simple and universal. However, with significant deepening of workings, the need arises to organize multi-stage transport lifts and powerful ventilation systems.

A salt mine is a tunnel in the thickness of a salt layer. There are chambers extending from it on the sides, from which the main selection of rock salt is made. Each chamber reaches a length of up to 500 meters. The width and height of the chambers are 30 meters each. The chamber system does not require securing excavations. The absence of the need to secure the roof reduces the cost of extracted salt and increases labor productivity. Large mined-out spaces in the chambers make it possible to use mining equipment with high productivity and power. Scraper installations, electric locomotives, road boring machines are widely used in salt mines. The exhausted chambers are successfully used for the safe disposal of industrial waste.

Along with the described advantages, the chamber system also has disadvantages. Large volumes of mined-out spaces lead to ventilation problems. In addition, more than half of the salt reserves remain in the spaces between the chambers (pillars), sometimes up to 70%.

It should be noted that most mining enterprises practice exclusively machine mining. However, in some cases a less advanced drilling and blasting method is used. Drilling pits, laying explosives and subsequent explosive rock fall give much less efficiency and productivity. At the same time, the level of labor safety is significantly lower.

Leaching mining method

The essence of this method is as follows:

• in the explored salt formation, wells of the required depth and in the required quantity are drilled;
• fresh water heated to a high temperature is pumped into the wells;
• this water dissolves the salt;
• the liquid brine solution is pumped to the surface by slurry pumps;
• the salt slurry ends up in special sealed tanks with reduced pressure;
• due to low pressure, intense evaporation of water occurs;
• The salt settled at the bottom of the tanks is crushed by a centrifuge.

Due to its use in low-pressure tanks, this method is also called vacuum. Its advantages include low cost, especially when extracting salt from great depths. The disadvantages are high requirements for the chemical and mechanical stability of pumps due to the aggressiveness of the saline solution.

Explored world salt reserves and deposits

The world's reserves of rock salt are so huge that it is impossible to calculate their exact quantity.

Each cubic meter of water in the world's oceans contains about 27 kilograms of sodium chloride. If all the salt contained in the waters of lakes, seas and oceans is evenly distributed over the surface of the Earth, then the thickness of the salt layer will reach 45-50 meters.

Underground reserves of solid salt, according to the most rough estimates, are at least 3.5-4 * 1015 tons. If current production volumes are maintained, fossil reserves alone will last for at least fifteen thousand years.

In Europe, the largest salt deposits include the German Statfurt basin, the Slavyano-Artemovskoye and Prikarpatskoye deposits in Ukraine. IN North America there are large deposits in the USA (Kansas and Oklahoma), and the Canadian Saskatchewan basin.

In the territory Russian Federation There are reserves of table salt, the largest explored in the world.

In first place is Lake Baskunchak in the Astrakhan region. This unique deposit has been known since the 17th century. Its uniqueness lies in the fact that its salt reserves are replenished from the sources that feed the lake. According to geologists, the depth of the salt layers here reaches a record ten kilometers. On Lake Baskunchak, 930,000 tons of table salt are mined per year.

Nearby, in the Volgograd region, there is Lake Elton. There are also significant reserves of table salt.

The Sol-Iletskoye field has been developed in the Orenburg region for a long time. Back in the 18th century, the great Lomonosov examined samples of Iletsk salt. His notes have been preserved, in which he speaks extremely flatteringly about the quality of this salt. Here is located the Iletsksol JSC plant, the largest in Russia (83%) in terms of the volume of underground mining of fossil halites. According to the project, the annual production capacity of the Iletsksol plant is 2,000,000 tons. The salt from the local deposits is of the highest quality. It requires neither purification nor enrichment.

Another large deposit is Usolye, located in Yakutia, near Irkutsk.

In conclusion, I would like to add that there is definitely no threat of a shortage of rock salt to humanity.

The natural stone halite, or rather, its history, goes back millions of years. Since ancient times, it has been known about the healing properties that rock salt has (under this name the mineral is familiar to humans). Thanks to its magical abilities, halite served as a talisman and talisman. And today, useful white crystals are successfully used in various fields of industry.

Characteristics of the mineral

Halite is formed in sedimentary rocks, as well as in sea bays, by crystallization of brine. As for the history of the origin of the stone, it dates back to time immemorial, even before the appearance of man.

In ancient times, mineral salt was of great value and even served as a unit of exchange for which certain goods were purchased.

In historical chronicles you can find descriptions of events (uprisings, wars), the cause of which was halite.

Physical and chemical properties:

• According to their chemical composition, white crystals are classified as representatives of sodium chlorides; the formula of halite is NaCl. Hydrochloride compounds are another component of rock salt.
• One of the main physical properties, depending on the presence and amount of impurities - color. Salt is characterized by a white color, pure or with shades of pink, blue or purple. There are specimens with a gray or yellow tint, as well as colorless specimens.
• Rock salt often contains iron impurities, which gives a reddish or yellowish tint, clay - a gray tint, and the content of organic elements makes the tone slightly brown or even blackish.
• The crystal density coefficient is 2.1-2.2 g/cm3.
• The throughput is quite high - specimens are characterized by partial or complete transparency.
• The stone is sensitive to high temperatures and damage. Hardness on a ten-point Mohs scale is 2 units.
• Another one characteristic- glass shine.

Places of formation and extraction of white minerals are mountainous areas, sea and ocean coasts. For example, a large deposit was discovered in the northern United States, on the slopes of the Appalachians, in the basins of the Ontario and Mississippi rivers. Rock salt deposits are also located in Russia in the Astrakhan, Irkutsk and Orenburg regions. In nature, the occurrence of sea sulfates and rock salt often coexist. Halites are usually mined in the form of crystals, from which table salt suitable for consumption is obtained by grinding.

Types of halite

Depending on the location, the stone has different physical and chemical characteristics and, according to this, is divided into types.

1. The first group is actually rock salt. Occurs in large accumulations in geological rocks that were formed in different periods formation of the earth's surface.
2. Another variety is self-planting or cage salt. Natural specimens are found in druses or in the form of a small cluster of tiny crystals. Often found in ancient pools with deposits of salty minerals.
3. The name of the third group is volcanic salt- suggests that the locations are associated with seismic activity. The mineral is formed in the remains of petrified lava, and the reserves are richer in places where the most active volcanoes are located.
4. The last variety is salt marshes. It is mined in steppes or semi-deserts where efflorescences are found. Such mineral halite, as a rule, occurs on the earth's surface in the form of growths or layers of crystalline salt.

Magic properties

Since ancient times, people believed that the seemingly unremarkable stone halite was a mineral with magical power. It was believed that salt crystals:

• drive away evil spirits and evil spirits;
• protect from misfortunes and troubles;
• protect from death;
• repel ill-wishers and enemies;
• bring the owner happiness and good luck in life;
• help to win the favor of others;
• attract love and new true friends.

The mineral was perceived as a reliable protector from the evil eye and bad thoughts of others. Therefore, a pinch of white crystals was usually sewn into clothes. Such amulets were made for adults and children who were especially susceptible to the negativity of others.

The halite talisman was used by medieval knights and ordinary soldiers. The warriors believed that the magic pebble would protect them in battle, prevent injury and injury, and save them from death. Since mineral salt repels the negativity of others, it is believed that the amulet should be worn under clothing, away from prying eyes.

From an astrological point of view, amulets made from this stone will have a beneficial effect on the lives of each zodiac sign. However, to save magical power The talisman cannot be displayed or tell everyone about the grains hidden in clothes.

Medicinal properties

Rock salt (halite) plays an important role in the functioning of the human body. A deficiency or excess of this substance leads to a number of health problems. For example, a lack of a mineral provokes low blood pressure, and excessive consumption causes hypertension, so for this disease it is recommended to reduce the consumption of salty foods.

With a lack of halite in the diet, symptoms that are the main characteristics of dehydration are often observed: weakness, lethargy, nausea and weight loss.

Benefit from medicinal properties This crystal manifests itself as follows:

• strengthening immunity;
• improvement of general well-being;
• acceleration of recovery from colds and flu;
• help in the fight against lung diseases.

The reason for this beneficial effect is simple: white matter evaporates and releases chlorine, which helps cleanse the body.

For the treatment of joint diseases, as well as as a general strengthening agent, salt baths, heating, and massage with special Himalayan salt stones are recommended. At the first signs of a cold, it is advised to rinse your mouth and rinse your sinuses with a halite solution. And to maintain health and avoid problems in the body, it is necessary to maintain the correct salt balance.

Applications

The mineral is used as amulets, talismans, and also for treatment. Salt procedures, such as massage, are done to maintain healthy appearance and skin beauty. Such manipulations are often carried out in baths and saunas, when the body is steamed and beneficial substances penetrate the skin layers more easily.

It is known that the mineral is an important component of metabolic processes. To ensure normal functioning, all people need regular use of this substance. Of course, excessive consumption of salty foods will lead to problems, but you should not exclude the product from your diet, you need to stick to the “golden mean”. For an adult, the average norm is 15 g of salt. This quantity includes the volume of the substance contained in the finished products.

In industry, the use of halite makes it possible to obtain chlorine and sodium. These are substances that are used to make baking soda and alkaline preparations, such as household cleaners.

Halite crystals High Quality They are used to make objects that decorate the interior, but samples suitable for such work are rare. They also come across jewelry with inserts of salt crystals. Such items should be stored away from exposure to heat and sun, and in a dry place. It is necessary to avoid moisture, as rock salt melts in water.

In order to experience the benefits of halite, you need to choose natural products and products made from natural materials. Checking the authenticity is not difficult. Simply dip the crystals into water. A naturally occurring substance will keep the liquid clean (there may be a slight sediment). Otherwise, the water will change color. This is an indication that the stone has been treated with artificial dyes.

A useful mineral that is indispensable in modern life. The importance of white crystals has been proven, but you should not overuse them. There must always be a balance, and beneficial influence rock salt on the body will change the life and health of every person.

Rock salt- rock salt, Steinsalz (often also used to denote a rock consisting of halite), table salt - Kochsalz, sodium chloride, lake salt, self-planting salt, ice salt, blue salt (for blue halite), partially hairy salt - Faserzalz, β-halite - β-halite (Panike, 1933), saltspar - saltspar (Murzaev, 1941) - coarse-crystalline secretions.
Crackling salt (Lebedev, Textbook of Mineralogy, 1907) - salt containing inclusions of gases, crackling when dissolved, falcon salt (Lebedev, ibid.)
- local name used in Yakutia, martinsite - martinsite, described by Karsten (1845) - halite from Stasfurt with an admixture of MgSO 4, natricalite - natrikalite (Adam, 1869) - a mixture of halite and sylvite from Vesuvius, kallar - kallar (Dana, 1892)
- impure salt from India, Zuber - Zuber is a halopelitic rock cemented with halite. Guantajayite - halite containing up to 11% silver, may be a mixture (Raimondi, 1876).

The English name of the mineral Halite is Halite

Origin of the name halite

The mineral is named from the Greek “als” - salt (Glocker, 1847).

Chemical composition

Chemical theoretical composition: Na - 39.34; Cl - 60.66. The composition of the very pure material corresponds to the theoretical one. Contains Br as an isomorphic impurity (up to 0.098%). The following impurities were also noted: He, NH 3, Mn, Cu, Ga, As, J, Ba, Tl, Pb. K, Ca, SO 3 are often detected due to the admixture of sylvite and gypsum.

Crystallographic characteristics

Syngony. Cubic (3L 4 4L 3 6L 2 9PC).

Class. Hexoctahedral.

Crystal structure

In the structure, Na and Cl atoms alternate uniformly at the sites of a simple (primitive) cubic lattice with a 0 = 2.82 A; in view of the difference between Na and Cl, we need to talk about two face-centered lattices (Na and Cl) with a 0 = 5.64 A, inserted into one another. Since the Cl ionic radius is significantly larger than the Na radius, the structure can be represented as a dense cubic packing of Cl atoms; all octahedral voids contain Na atoms. The coordination number of both Cl and Na is 6, the coordination polyhedron is an octahedron. Perfect cleavage along the faces of the cube is due to the fact that these planes are uniformly populated with cations and anions and are therefore electrically neutral. The ionic type of bond predominates.

Main forms: Main forms: a (100), o (111).

Form of being in nature

The appearance of crystals. The crystals are cubic, very rarely octahedral, sometimes reaching significant sizes. Cubic crystals of NaCl are formed from neutral solutions, octahedral crystals are formed from active, acidic or alkaline solutions. The skeletal formations are very characteristic - fragile dull white hollow pyramids - “boats”, floating on the surface of the brine with the tip down; walls
boats are usually stepped, often bearing a scar or “suture” formed as a result of growth from the ribs along the walls towards each other. The boats are usually zonal as a result of the uneven arrangement of mother liquor inclusions, which usually form chains parallel to the faces of the cube. Often the boats are deformed and grow together. Skeletal crystals with a herringbone structure, the so-called “salt teeth,” are also found. Their peculiar appearance is due to the uneven distribution of inclusions, which is caused by a change in the growth rate under conditions of uneven supply of substances when the rate of brine evaporation changes.
Cubic crystals with funnel-shaped and concave faces are known. Sometimes the crystals are curved or have a distorted (rhombohedral or lamellar) shape due to growth under directed pressure conditions. Lenticular crystals grown in the clay were also noted, oriented with a third-order axis perpendicular to the layering of the clay. The edges of the crystals are often smooth and shiny, sometimes stepped or pitted. Etching figures corresponding to the hexoctahedral class are formed even when exposed to humid air. Etching patterns on artificial crystals obtained by the action of acetic acid change their shape depending on the impurities added to the acetic acid.

Doubles according to (111) were obtained only artificially from solutions containing significant amounts of MnCl 2, CaCl 2, CoCl 2. Mechanical twins are obtained by non-uniform compression at a temperature of 500-600°.
Rock salt crystals are often symmetrically or asymmetrically zoned as a result of uneven distribution of inclusions or color. Turbid areas are often located at the periphery of the crystals, closer to the tops and edges, i.e., in the directions of the fastest crystal growth.

Aggregates. Aggregates from fine-grained to gigantic-grained are typical; Individual crystals and druses are not uncommon. It also forms parallel fibrous aggregates, sinter crusts, stalactites, fluffy deposits, crusts, and efflorescences.

Physical properties

Optical

Color. Colorless and often white, gray to black, red, brown, yellow, blue (sky blue to dark indigo), violet, mauve to dark purple; occasionally green.
The gray color is often caused by clay inclusions; black and brown, disappearing when heated, due to an admixture of organic substances. Brown and yellow tones are sometimes associated with an admixture of iron compounds, in particular minute needles of hematite; in the latter case, the color is usually distributed unevenly or streakily. The green color can be caused by inclusions of Douglasite, in this case in air halite turns brown from the surface. Blue, violet and yellow colors that disappear in light are caused by exposure to radioactive radiation. The source of β-radiation in salt deposits is K 4o and the accompanying radioactive Rb, which is confirmed by the repeatedly noted fact that halite is colored in Blue colour in the vicinity of sylvite and other potassium salts, as well as laboratory tests.

The nature and intensity of staining is determined by the amount of β-radiation received by the sample and its sensitivity to radiation. The latter depends on many reasons, the most important of which are the following:

1) the degree of deformation of the lattice and the presence of certain stresses in it;

2) the amount and nature of impurity elements in the irradiated material, for example, an increased content of Ca was noted in blue salt, and Cu in violet salt; the total amount of impurities in purple and blue salt exceeds the amount in yellow salt; Neutral Na atoms were found in blue salt from Solikamsk

3) growth rate of the colored crystals. Very often, the blue color is distributed unevenly in crystals due to the locality of irradiation or the sensitivity of the crystals to it: in the form of zones parallel to the faces of the cube, irregular areas isolated from each other, edges, spots, winding stripes, etc. The colored areas themselves differ from each other from each other by a structure discernible under a magnifying glass: reticular, dotted-reticulate, dashed, spotted, zonal, spiral, etc. Sometimes this phenomenon is caused by the fouling of colored skeletal crystals with colorless salt.

The color caused by radioactive radiation disappears when heated in light, but the samples retain increased colorability.

• Trait white to colorless
• Glass shine.
• The cast on a stale surface is greasy to greasy.
• Transparency. Transparent or translucent.

Mechanical

• Hardness 2, slightly different when scratching along the edge and along the diagonal of the cube. The average hardness on a cube face is less than on an octahedron face. The hardness of dark blue salt is significantly higher. Microhardness 18-22 kg/mm ​​2. It is easiest to polish along the faces of a cube, the most difficult along (110) and worst of all along (111). The impact figure looks like a four-ray star made of cracks in the plane of the rhombic dodecahedron.
• Density 2.173, often fluctuates due to the presence of inclusions, for example, salt from Kalush from 1.9732 to 2.2100; There was an increase in density with increasing intensity of blue color
• Cleavage according to (100) is perfect, according to (110) imperfect (the fine structure of the cleavage planes was studied under an electron microscope)
• The fracture is conchoidal.

It is quite fragile, but when heated, its ductility increases significantly (in a hot saturated solution it can be easily bent by hand); it also becomes plastic under prolonged one-sided pressure (the degree of plastic deformation of halite can be judged by the optical density values ​​in the region of 380-600 tpc, which depends on the degree of light scattering in the deformed areas).

Chemical properties

On salty halite taste. Easily dissolves in water (35.7 g in 100 cm3 of water at 20°). Solubility depends little on temperature, increasing by 7 g from 0 to 100°; decreases significantly if the solution contains CaCl 2 or MgCl 2 ; increases noticeably with increasing pressure. Dissolution is accompanied by significant heat absorption. Poorly soluble in alcohol (0.065% at 18.5°).

With AgNO 3 it reacts with Cl.

Other properties

Halite is hygroscopic, but does not melt in air.

Non-conductor of electricity. Dielectric constant 5.85. Diamagnetic When NaCl crystals were rubbed or squeezed, triboluminescence was observed. Fluoresces red when containing Mn. The glow of crystals activated by X-ray irradiation and heat treatment was studied. It has great transparency in the infrared region of the spectrum.

Melting point 800°. When heated, the refractive index decreases (to 1.5246 at 425°), and blue and purple salts become discolored.

Artificial acquisition.

Easily obtained by precipitation from an aqueous solution. Water-clear crystals can be obtained by adding FeCl 3 or strong acids and bases. It is also formed during the sublimation of sodium chloride. There are known methods for producing whiskers.
It is not isomorphically miscible with KCl at ordinary temperatures; isomorphic mixtures were obtained only with rapid cooling of the melt. At temperatures above 500°, a series of double salts are formed, the refractive indices of which change in direct proportion to the content of the components; when cooled, they decompose into halite and sylvin. Many physicochemical aqueous systems with NaCl have been studied.

Diagnostic signs

Similar mineral- sylvin.

It differs from other water-soluble salts in its salty (but not bitter) taste. Differences from sylvin. Recognized by the cubic shape of the crystals, perfect cleavage along the cube, and low hardness.

Satellites. Silvin, gypsum, anhydrite.

Mineral Change

Halite is easily dissolved by water, and in place of its excretions, voids remain, sometimes retaining imprints of the finest sculpture of crystal faces. Often such voids are filled with marl, clay, gypsum, dolomite, anhydrite, celestine, polyhalite, quartz, hematite, pyrite. During metamorphism, halite from salt deposits recrystallizes, as a result of which the transparency of its grains and the size of single crystals increase, and their orientation also changes.

Rock salt, or halite, is one of the most common minerals. Many people do not even realize that in its purified form this rock is nothing more than ordinary table salt. The mineral halite is something without which human life is impossible. Sodium chloride is a halogen. The name can also indicate the origin of the mineral. It consists of sodium and chlorine.

Rock salt, or halite, is one of the most common minerals

The use of halite is very common. Not a single housewife can do without salt. Ground sodium chloride is added to almost every dish. Without it, all food would be bland and would not acquire such shades of taste.

In addition, the mineral halite is widely used for canning and medicinal purposes. Sodium chloride has a pronounced antiseptic effect, which is very important in the presence of bacterial infections.

In its pure form, the breed is white or colorless. Depending on the number of additional inclusions, rock salt changes its color. If potassium is present, it turns blue. The formula of halite is NaCl. Many people are interested in how the rock is mined. The main location of the mineral is sea bays.

Depending on the number of additional inclusions, rock salt changes its color

Characteristics of the mineral

Rock salt comes in several varieties:

1. Sadochnaya - formed by granular crusts, usually in evaporite basins.
2. Stone - formed in large layers, found in rocks.
3. Volcanic is the most unusual type. Forms next to volcanic rock.
4. Efflorescences form on the soil surface and appear as thin crusts.

Few people know how this mineral is mined. In Russia a large number of halite is concentrated in the Urals. Rock salt is in great demand. It is used everywhere. A person consumes up to 4 kg per year. In addition to the food industry, rock salt is used in medicine, soap making, cosmetology and metallurgy. Almost no production can do without halite, which makes it so necessary.

How rock salt is produced (video)

Previously, the mineral was almost worth its weight in gold. The sedimentary rock is still very valuable today. The origin of the mineral may vary. Volcanic salt has long been considered a symbol of abundance. She was endowed with a lot of magical properties.

It was believed that if you spell salt and sprinkle it in front of the threshold, then not a single negative person will be able to enter the house. Halite has been used in various magical rituals, since it is endowed with special energy that can eliminate the evil eye, damage and other outside influences.

Magical meaning has always been found in stones of this breed and used for healing. Salt was sprinkled on houses, sick people and things that were supposedly bewitched. To this day, many psychics use sodium chloride for rituals.

Gallery: rock salt (50 photos)

Additional Information

Halite stone was used to treat many diseases. Currently, salt is used to gargle. Special chemical composition has an antiseptic effect on the tonsils, freeing the lacunae from bacterial plaque, which is so important for sore throat.

Halite salt is mined all over the world. Deposits can be found almost everywhere, so at present this mineral is not in short supply. The use of rock salt is determined by its unique properties. It prevents the proliferation of viruses, bacteria and fungi.

Salt can leave the body through sweat, so when dehydration occurs as a result of vomiting or diarrhea, sodium chloride-based solutions are often prescribed, which promote fluid retention in the cells.

Any animal in wildlife always finds salt deposits and eats them. If there is not enough salt in the diet, then blood pressure and the conduction of nerve impulses are significantly reduced. At the same time, the heart muscle weakens, which is extremely dangerous.

Of course, an excess of this natural substance is also harmful, so people with arterial hypertension should use it with caution. Sea water contains a large amount of halite, so if you accidentally cut yourself on a shell while swimming, there will be virtually no pain. This is explained by the fact that the composition of rock salt, which is contained in sea water, is similar to chemical indicators blood.

The saline solution, which is used as a basis for infusion of drugs, contains a large amount of halite. It is used to eliminate the consequences of poisoning. After all, during intoxication, a significant amount of such an important compound as sodium chloride is lost.

If there is not enough salt in the human body, then there may be muscle spasms and cognitive behavioral disorders. In addition, a significant lack of such a compound can be fatal. A diet that excludes salt provokes serious consequences if followed for more than 10 days.

How salt is mined (video)

An interesting fact about halite is associated with the defeat of Napoleon's army. The soldiers' diet lacked salt, so wounds healed extremely slowly. It has now been scientifically proven that a lack of sodium chloride can lead to long-term pathological processes of the skin, in which the integrity of the epidermis and dermis is damaged. Thus, this breed is valuable to this day.

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