Salt The Universal History Allie Pierce Elizabeth Horn
Salt: The Universal History Allie Pierce, Elizabeth Horn, Lexa Barrott Image from: theshiksa. com
What is Salt? • By definition, salt is a crystalline compound, sodium chloride, Na. Cl, occurring as a mineral, a constituent of seawater, etc. , and used for seasoning food, as a preservative, etc. – Source: dictionary. refrence. com Image From: American. com
What Makes Salt • Sodium • Chlorine – Chemical Symbol: Na – Atomic Number: 11 – Alkali Metal; has only one valence electron in its outer shell; making it very reactive. Image By: Greg Robson Image By: Dennis S. K – Chemical Symbol: Cl – Atomic Number: 17 – Halogen; has only one valence electron in its outer shell; making it very reactive. Image By: Greg Robson Image From: amazingrust. com
How Does Salt Form? Ionic Bonds Formed + Sodium: Reactive Metal Image from: freewebs. com Image From: emergencyoutdoors. com = Chlorine: Reactive Gas Image From: chemistry. about. com Salt: Unreactive Chemical Compound Both elements are posionous to humans on their own, but when combined they become a compound that is essential to all walks of life.
How Salt Affects Other Forms of Life • Autotrophs – Halophytes have special membranes to limit the rate of diffusion of the salt in the roots. – Algae are photosynthesizing protists that have a body system equipped to decrease the salinity levels of the water they live in. Image From: dariacasciani. wordpress. com • Heterotrophs – All domestic and wild animals need salt. – Cows and Sheep need salt so much that the location of salt becomes engrained in their memory so they know where to return when they become salt deficient. – Animals need salt more than plants Image From: freerepublic. com
How Salt Affects Humans • Too Much Salt: – Hypernatremia: Caused by an excess of salt. • It can cause high blood pressure, dehydration, osteoporosis, ulcers, and gastric cancer • Too Little Salt: – Hyponatremia: Caused by too little salt • One of the most common electrolyte disturbances. • Can occur when there is an excess of water and a deficiency of salt in the body. • Can cause swelling of the brain and/or death. Image From: spsscience. com Image From: scoopweb. com
A Brief History of Salt: Universal History • Sodium and Chlorine were formed when stars began, and their hydrogen atoms fused their nuclei together to form heavier atoms. • Elements as heavy as sodium and chlorine formed in stars 4 times heavier than the sun. Sodium and Chlorine form in stars with a similar mass to that of Betelgeuse, pictured above. Image from: luiscalcada. scienceoffice. org
Geological Formation of Salt • Salt Lakes – Salt lakes occur when saltwater lakes evaporate. – Salt flats and other minerals remain. – Salt lakes most likely will occur in mountainous regions. • Salt Domes – Salt is formed under the earth, and is pushed up to form salt domes. • Example: The Great Salt Lake, Utah Image From: geochaching. com
A Brief History of Salt: Geography • Salt has determined the location of many cities globally. • One of the many cities formed around salt deposits is Detroit, MI. – The salt in Detroit was a saltwater basin that covered nearly all of the state of Michigan. The water evaporated and left vast amounts of salt. Image From: io 9. com
Primary Uses of Salt: Health Sciences • Salt has many health related uses: – – – Iodized Salt Dead Sea Salt Himalayan Salt Lithium Chloride Bath Salts: Actual Bath Salts (right) Image From: gurl. com
Primary Uses of Salt: Culinary • Salt has many culinary uses – Salt has been used as a preservative for many centuries. – Salt is also one of the most common seasonings. Image From: retroform. hu
Primary Uses of Salt: Industry • Salt also has many industrial uses. – Glass – Detergents and soaps – Chemicals and petrochemicals – Paper – Textiles – Ironworks Images From: Copypast. ru Care 2. com Images From: Panpages. my Shop. aph. org
A Brief History of Salt: Etymology • Many phrases and words were coined by the use of salt in many cultures. – The word salary was introduced by the Egyptians, who paid their workers in salt. – The word salad was introduced by the Greco-Romans, who used salt to preserve their lettuce and other vegetables. – The phrase, “Not worth his salt, ” was used by the Greco. Romans who traded salt for slaves. Image From: moneysigns. net Image From: glogster. com
A Brief History of Salt: Old World History • Humans have been using salt for many centuries. – The Chinese were one of many cultures to enforce a salt tax. They also were some of the first to use salt for pharmaceutical purposes. – The Egyptians also had a salt tax. They also used salt in the mummification of the dead, to embalm the corpses. Image From: flexmedia. co. id
A Brief History of Salt: New World History • During the Revolutionary War(1775 -1783), one of the British war tactics was to cut off all of the Americans’ salt resources. The Americans began to make their own salt to aid the Patriot soldiers. • The Erie Canal was built to transport salt from Syracuse, New York all around the world. • Gandhi Salt March Image From: ledgendsofamerica. com
A Brief History of Salt: Religion • Buddhism – In Buddhism, salt is used to ward away evil spirits. • For example, in Sumo Wrestling, the Buddhists sprinkle salt all around the ring to ward off the spirits during their wrestling match. Image From: elle. it • Christianity – Salt is mentioned in the Bible over 30 times. • For example, in the book of Genesis, Lot’s Wife turns into a pillar of salt when she disobeys God. Image From: rapgenius. com
Salt in the Economy • Salt is a multi billiondollar industry. • Salt was used as both a tax and a form of currency for many centuries. • In ancient times, salt was traded ounce-forounce with gold. Image From: flickr. com
How Salt is Mined • There are 3 basic mining techniques. The environment determines the method used to obtain the salt. – Solar Salt: we get sea salt from oceans and saline lakes. – Rock Salt: produced by excavating a shaft that allows miners to access salt deposits and break them into sizeable pieces. – Evaporated Salt (Refined Salt): by solution mining the underground deposit of salt and removing the water from the brine, the salt is pumped to the surface.
The Future of Salt • Shouldn’t the use of salt • The supply of salt is be regulated? never limited. – All walks of life rely on salt. – Example: oil – Nearly all people rely on oil, but there are only a few oil deposits globally. – Large supply of salt both underground and in our oceans. – Salt is very easily attained. – Salt is always in demand, but is never lacking in supply.
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