Really though, the great piles white you see before you is salt, but not the salt we typically think of when we hear the word. This type of salt is called sodium sulphate (Na2SO4, also spelled sodium sulfate). Production of sodium sulphate in this area began in 1948.
What is the white on the ground in Saskatchewan?
saline
Producers refer to their saline areas as alkali, but Saskatchewan Agriculture says the term is a misnomer. These soils are saline, which means large amounts of dissolved salts have accumulated at the surface and are visible as white patches with little or no plant growth. They are only the tip of the salinity iceberg.
What is the white stuff in Saskatchewan lakes?
The 18-mile-long-Lake Chaplin is the source of one of the richest and purest sodium sulphate deposits in the world and the product is providing a livelihood for many residents of the community who formally were totally dependent on their grain crops or ca ttle sales for their livelihood.
What is the white stuff by Swift Current?
If you’ve ever driven down the #1 Highway between Swift Current and Regina, you’ve probably seen this place, right after (or before depending on your origin), the sodium-sulphate mine/plant, you know the one that makes it look like there is SNOW on the ground (shudder).
Why is there salt in Chaplin Sask?
That’s because: Our work ensures the water level of Chaplin Lake is managed at a consistent level, something that’s essential for us to produce sodium sulphate. Without that careful water level management, the lake would fluctuate between being flooded and being dry.
What causes the ground to turn white?
The white powdery appearance is caused by a saprophytic fungus and is generally not dangerous to humans and does not harm your plant significantly.
What is the white powder on the ground?
That white powder is salt. However, this salt is not the type of salt used for cooking. If so, why are the streets strewn with salt when snow falls?
What is mined in Chaplin Saskatchewan?
sodium sulphate
In 2021, Saskatchewan Mining and Minerals celebrated our 74th year in the sodium sulphate business. We have grown from a small, salt cake plant in Chaplin to one of the world’s largest producers of detergent-grade sodium sulphate.
What is the white stuff around ponds?
There are several potential things that could be causing this white foamy stuff. If it’s green, it’s algae! Organic Material – The most common cause of foam buildup is organic material in the pond. Organic material buildup is leaves, uneaten fish food, gunk or even a dead fish!
What is the white stuff in ponds?
Pond Management
This phenomenon, known as a “biofilm,” is often mistaken for an algae bloom or oil spill, and can be quite alarming to our clients when it shows up in their waterbodies.
What is white stuff rocks?
Efflorescence is a white, chalky substance that may appear on the surface of natural stone, clay brick, concrete pavers or any other porous building material. Naturally-occurring salts found in soil, water, sand, gravel and cement are dissolved by rain and groundwater.
Is Reed Lake salty?
Situated in southwestern Saskatchewan, Reed Lake is a shallow saline lake (14 km by 3-4 km) that lies parallel to the Trans-Canada highway.
Why is there so much salt under the Great Lakes?
From ancient sharks to fossilized coral, there is a lot of evidence to suggest that the Great Lakes area was once covered with an ocean, and the massive salt deposit supports that. Scientist today believe that this salt was left behind when the sea water that once covered our state began to retreat.
Why are ponds white in Saskatchewan?
The sodium sulphate deposits can be seen around the edges of the lakes. Sodium sulphate remains when the water is removed. One method of obtaining the salt is to pump the water into smaller ponds and allow it to evaporate. Then the crystals can be gathered.
Why does Saskatchewan have so much potash?
Western Canada’s potash deposits occur in the Prairie Evaporite Deposit—the largest known potash deposit in the world, extending from central to south-central Saskatchewan and a few kilometers into Manitoba. The reserves are the result of the evaporation of an ancient inland ocean in the region.
Why is new grass turning white?
Powdery mildew is one of the most common reasons for grass to turn white. Thankfully, this fungal disease is distinct and easy to recognize. Grass infected by powdery mildew will look like it’s been dusted in flour. You’re most likely to find grass infected by this disease in shady areas.
Why is my grass white after winter?
The lawn is not dying. It is affected by the presence of a lawn fungus commonly known as snow mold. Snow mold is often seen as circular patches of “dead” and matted grass blades with a web like white or pinkish mold.
Is it OK to use mulch with white mold?
The white stuff is a beneficial fungus that is decaying the organic matter you put into the bed. These fungi, called saprophytic fungi, do not attack plants or cause plant diseases. They feed on dead organic matter, like mulch, compost, soil conditioner, etc. They are critical to soil health.
Why does snow leave white residue?
Ice melts containing sodium chloride leave a white residue, whereas ice melts including calcium chloride and magnesium chloride leave an oily residue. These residues will dull floor finishes, splinter wood floors, and cause dry rot in carpets if left for too long.
Why is there a white powder on my grass?
It can happen in early spring and early fall, that white powder on the grass blades giving them a silvery color is most likely powdery mildew. Transitioning to and from cooler weather can make conditions ideal for powdery mildew to pop up in shaded and wind protected areas in the lawn.
Why do I have white powder on my grass?
If the patches of white you find on your lawn are dust-like coverings of the blades, then your grass has powdery mildew. This is a common lawn disease for varieties like Kentucky Bluegrass. It’s actually a fungus, like most other lawn diseases, though it’s typically not too invasive.