Sea salt

Sea water has 26 million tons of salt per cubic kilometer, an endless reserve. There are other solid salts diluted in sea water, but sodium chloride represents 77% of the total content. Common salt, or sodium chloride, a chemical compound represented by the formula NaCl, is also found in underground mines and in surface deposits left by evaporation of seas.

The most produced and utilized non-energetic mineral after iron ore, is salt in its different forms. Salt has over 14,000 applications, most of them in the chemical industry. It is used in the production of chlorine, caustic soda, hydrochloric acid, glass, aluminum, plastics, textiles, rubber, hydrogen and cellulose among many other items. Salt is also used ‘in natura’ in the food industry, for human and animal nutrition and for food preservation. Only 5% of the salt produced is utilized for domestic purposes.

Salt is essential for life as it is necessary for organic functions. It is present in 2/3 of fluids out of the cells, and maintains the water content balance of inside and around the cells. Salt flavor stimulates the production of saliva and of other fluids essential for the digestion, besides helping the absorption of nourishing elements and acting in the digestion process. Excess and lack of salt cause disturbances in the organism. The daily allowance of salt varies according to genetic characteristics, eating habits and level of physical activities, but is around five grams.

Purity of salt varies according to its origin. Rock salt from mines has from 95% to 99% of sodium chloride. Salt evaporated by mechanical process or evaporated in the sun is 99%  pure. Salt evaporated from purified brine have a high degree of purity- in some cases over 99,99% of NaCl.