Sept. 2011 GOTM

Brine Stones

This collection of salt-encrusted rocks is from Wahweap wash. My hypothesis about the rings on the stones is that they're related to the heating and cooling cycle of day and night over a few days. During the day, the water warms and evaporates creating a solution that is increasingly concentrated with salt. As the water cools at night, the super-saturated solution precipitates the salts at the water line on the rocks. Warming the next day keeps the salts in solution while evaporation continues. And then cooling the following night precipitates more salt but at a lowered water line. Can't quite figure why the salts only precipitate on the flatter surfaces of the rocks and don't continue down the sides as the pool dries completely. Interestingly, there are three or four "rings" on many of these stones, so this would represent a three- or four-day cycle.

Just a theory though. Would be interested if anyone else has any thoughts or knowledge how these salt rings form.

This is my third image from Wahweap Wash, the bottom of the wash itself. I go here to photograph hoodoos and come back with pictures of rocks and mud.

Your thoughts and recommendations would, as always, be appreciated.

5D2, 28-200. Photoshopping for this image is at the bottom of this page.