Physico-chemical characteristics of solar saltpans in Kanyakumari District, Tamil Nadu

Sodium chloride (salt) is manufactured in solar saltpans.  Salt, an inexpensive and abundant commodity, plays a prominent role in the development of man’s activities.  The most abundant source of common salt is sea water.  It is manufactured by various methods, of which the solar evaporation of sea brine, backwater and sub-soil brine water is predominant.  The physico-chemical features and biological systems are essential for the proper functioning of saltpans.  This paper explains the physico-chemical parameters of brine at various stages i.e., (1) reservoir, (2) condenser and (3) crystallizer of the different saltpans in Kanyakumari district saltpans.  This study provides baseline information of the physico-chemical parameters for further assessment and monitoring of this type of ecosystems.