In Mumbai, a group of enthusiasts participated in a salt pan walk at Wadala organised by the Asiatic Society of Mumbai to commemorate the Wadala satyagraha.
About:
Also known as? Salt flat.
What are they? Natural salt pans or salt flats are flat expanses of ground covered with salt and other minerals.
Where are they found? They are found in deserts.
Examples? Large salt plains are common in the Sahara Desert, the Kalahari Desert, the Rann of Kutch, the western United States and the central deserts of Australia.
How are they formed? These are natural formations which are formed by evaporation of a water pool such as a lake or pond.
This happens in climates where the rate of water evaporation exceeds the rate of precipitation.
If the water cannot drain into the ground, it remains on the surface until it evaporates, leaving behind minerals precipitated from the salt ions dissolved in the water.
What is their appearance? Over thousands of years, the minerals (usually salts) accumulate on the surface. These minerals reflect the sun's rays (through radiation) and often appear as white areas.
Ecological significance: Salt pans play a significant role in the ecology of the neighbouring areas. Salt pans have different species of birds and insects thriving on them. They have an enormous water-holding capacity that helps in flood control.
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