Upward migration of sodium chloride by crystallization on non-porous surfaces

Abstract

Experiments involving sodium chloride precipitation on inclined non-porous surfaces above evaporating brine have shown that salt crystals form a conduit which can wick electrolyte to higher elevations. The extent of the salt precipitate on an inclined surface is controlled by the availability of source brine and the relativity humidity of the air, maintaining a partially fluid connection between the non-porous surface and salt precipitate. These observations may shed light on how salt is able to migrate through completely unsaturated soils without the prior assistance or addition of interstitial pore water.

Keywords:

• brine
• salt
• crystallisation
• capillary
• dendritic
• electrolyte

View correction statement:

Erratum

Notes

This article was originally published with errors. This version has been corrected. Please see Erratum (http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/14786435.2013.854458)