SALT MINERALOGY IN A SELECTED "SALORTHID" OF TEXAS HIGH PLAINS AS A FUNCTION OF SEASONAL TEMPERATURE VARIATIONS

Studies on the mineralogy of salts in a selceted Salorthid profile of the Texas High Plains were undertaken to determine the changes in the amount and kind of salt minerals as a function of seasonal temperature variations. A variety of minerals has been reported in studies where the crystalline state of the salt minerals was determined, Bloedite along with the minerals mirabilite, thenardite, epsomite and halite were identified. In this study, scanning electron microscopy and X-ray energy dispersive analysis were used to determine the influence of seasonal temperature variations in the mineralogy of salts. Halite was the dominant salt in both seasons, followed by mirabilite, thenardite, and bloedite. Mirabilite was present in preliminary sampling of salt crusts in November. Thenardite was present in February and June samples, and bloedite was present in June samples of salt crusts.