The salt that we know and use in the kitchen is actually the mineral salt Sodium Chloride, found abundantly in nature, either in underground salt deposits or dissolved in seawater. Sodium chloride is widely used in human food as a condiment and preservative, in addition to having several other industrial and commercial applications.
There are records of the use of salt around 5,000 years ago, dating back to ancient civilizations like Babylon, Egypt, China and pre-Columbian. However, initially only coastal communities had access to it, facing periods of scarcity due to weather conditions and sea level fluctuations. The technology for salt mining only began to develop during the Middle Ages.
Salt was so scarce and valuable that it was literally sold for its weight in gold and, on many occasions, was used as currency. A notorious example was the Roman custom of paying part of soldiers' salaries in salt, giving rise to the word "salary".
Due to its importance, salt was the reason for numerous conflicts. A historical example is the war between Rome and Carthage in 250 BCE for control of the production and distribution of salt in the Adriatic and Mediterranean Sea. After the Roman victory, the lands of the Carthaginians were salted to make them infertile.
In China, around 110 BCE, Han Emperor Wu Di established a monopoly on the salt trade, making "salt piracy" a crime punishable by death. The monopoly and high taxes on salt were often the catalyst for revolts. In France, the introduction of a tax in 1340 known as the "gabelle" contributed to the start of the French Revolution in 1789. Centuries later in India, high taxes levied by the British inspired the civil disobedience movement led by Gandhi in 1930.
This mineral salt is very important in our body to control blood pressure. It retains liquid, so it is good in small quantities. The daily salt intake recommended by the World Health Organization is up to 5g of salt per day for adults, which is equivalent to less than a teaspoon of salt. Consuming too much salt can increase your risk of high blood pressure, heart disease and stroke. High salt consumption harms the kidneys, increases blood pressure, affects taste, and can worsen osteoporosis!
The adequate consumption of salt plays several important roles in the human body, such as regulating fluid balance in the body, which is essential for proper cellular function, nutrient transport, and blood pressure control. Sodium plays a crucial role in the transmission of nerve signals, it allows impulses to be transmitted effectively, which is fundamental for functions such as muscle movement, sensory perception and cell-to-cell communication.
In addition to its common use as a condiment in human food, sodium chloride has a variety of other industrial and commercial applications. Sodium chloride is an important chemical reagent in the production of a variety of chemicals such as sodium hydroxide (caustic soda), chlorine and hydrogen through the process of electrolysis. These products are used in industries such as plastics manufacturing, cleaning products, pharmaceuticals, among others.
Sodium Chloride is also used in the paper and cellulose manufacturing process as a bleaching and delignifying agent, helping to remove impurities and improve the quality of the final product. Salt is often added to animal feed and feed as a source of sodium and chlorine, essential nutrients for animal health. Sodium chloride is used in water treatment processes, especially in seawater desalination, to remove unwanted salts and make water drinkable.
There are currently two sources of salt, the sea and the mines. Sea salt is produced through the evaporation of sea water in salt pans. In these facilities, seawater is diverted to shallow areas, where it is allowed to evaporate in the sun and wind. As the water evaporates, the salt dissolved in it concentrates until it reaches a point where it can be harvested manually or using machines.
The presence of minerals and trace elements makes sea saltmore complex in flavor. The texture of sea salt can vary depending on the size of the crystals, which can be fine or coarse.
Salt mine is extracted from underground salt deposits. These deposits were formed by the evaporation of ancient lakes or seas. It is extracted from underground deposits and is an important source of sodium chloride. This salt is generally crystalline and can be found deep in the Earth's crust. Mine salt is also called rock salt.
Salt mines exhibit colorful patterns due to a complex combination of geological, physical and chemical factors that influence the composition and structure of the salt present in the deposit. Sylvinite, a complex combination of rock and potassium salts, lends the walls of the Russian mines of Yekaterinburg and Berezniki a vibrant tapestry of colors, as if they had been meticulously adorned by a talented artist.
The Wieliczka Salt Mine are is of Poland's most famous and historic attractions. Located near the city of Krakow in the south of the country, these mines have a long history dating back to the 13th century, when salt extraction began in the region. Over the centuries, the Wieliczka mines grew to become one of the largest and most important salt mining operations in Europe.
What makes the Wieliczka Salt Mines truly exceptional is its impressive underground architecture. Over the centuries, miners have carved chambers, chapels, sculptures and even underground lakes, all made from salt. The most famous of these structures is Saint Kinga's Chapel, a richly decorated chapel carved entirely from salt.
Salt mextraction may not be sustainable due to its contribution to the depletion of natural resources and its adverse environmental impacts. Digging underground mines can lead to the destruction of natural habitat, soil and water pollution, and landscape disruption. Furthermore, salt mining requires intensive use of energy and water, contributing to greenhouse gas emissions and competing with other uses of water in regions where this resource is scarce. Efforts to develop more sustainable mining practices and reduce environmental impacts are crucial to mitigating these problems and ensuring the long-term preservation of natural resources.
Inside, underground mines, it is common to find pockets of methane gas, a highly flammable gas. During the exploration of salt deposits and other mineral resources, methane can accumulate in these underground areas, posing a serious risk to workers and mining operations.
The presence of methane in salt mines poses a serious explosion risk due to its flammable and explosive nature. Methane can accumulate in underground pockets during mining, whether as a result of the decomposition of organic matter, gas pressure released during excavation operations, or microbial processes. If not properly ventilated and controlled, methane can reach dangerous concentrations in mine working areas, significantly increasing the risk of a catastrophic explosion. To mitigate this risk, mining operations implement effective ventilation systems and gas detection equipment to monitor methane levels and take preventative measures to ensure worker safety and mine integrity.
Salt mine disasters can occur due to a variety of reasons, including cave-ins, floods, gas explosions and other catastrophic events. Here are some notable examples of salt mine disasters throughout history:
Wieliczka Disaster (Poland, 1689): A flood occurred in parts of the mine, resulting in the loss of many lives and causing significant damage to the mine's infrastructure.
Hockley Disaster (UK, 1852): a methane gas explosion at the Hockley salt mine in the UK resulted in the deaths of 24 miners. The explosion was caused by a spark during the drilling operation.
Hutchinson disaster (United States, 2001): a column of salt, with more than 12 meters high, collapsed at the Hutchinson salt mine. Two miners were trapped and one of them ended up dying before being rescued.
Zipaquira Disaster (Colombia, 2007): a methane gas explosion at the Zipaquira salt mine resulted in the deaths of six miners and left several others injured.
Cankiri Disaster (Turkey, 2010): a methane gas explosion at the Cankiri salt mine in resulted in the deaths of 30 miners.
Salt mines can cause significant environmental damage, including methane explosions in underground galleries, posing a risk to workers and the environment. Furthermore, excessive salt extraction can deplete natural resources and harm sensitive ecosystems such as coastal areas and aquifers. The mining process consumes large amounts of energy and water, contributing to greenhouse gas emissions and competing with other water needs. Faced with these challenges, opting for sustainable sources of sea salt can be a more conscious and environmentally responsible alternative.
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