How fast does salt water evaperate?

Answer 1

Water evaporates at a rate determined by the conditions in contact with the water. Salt is a dissolved contaminent of pure water. As the water content is evaporated, the salinity of the water becomes concentrated and will reach a point where the solution is supersaturated (with salt) and the salt will crystalize or percipitate out. The water that evaporates is in the form of water vapor and contains no contaminates and is therefore pure in form, basically distilled and demineralized. Rain is an example. The conditions that directly affect the evaporation of water are: relative humidity, temperature of the solution and air circulation over the surface. The salt remains behind after the water is evaporated. It will be a hydrated form of the salt unless it is baked, driving off the last of the water. This one of the primary methods of harvesting salt for industry's use as well as consumer consumption. Shallow ponds of sea water are formed for the purpose of presenting a large surface area for evaporation. After the water evaporates, the remaining dry salt is then harvested, cleaned and used. As it is sea salt, all of the contents found in the ocean will be in the salt so it is labeled as Sea Salt. It is not as pure as the salt labled as table salt.