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Dieren en planten

Water en land

Mens en Milieu

Other seabed products   Salt exploitation   
Sea salt, Ecomare

Salt exploitation

Salt has been exploited in the vicinity of Harlingen since 1995. The salt is situated 2800 meters deep under the surface. It is exploited by injecting the layer with water and pumping up the brine. Salt is also exploited by Veendam and Hengelo. The salt layers and salt domes were formed during the Permian, 288 million years ago, when seawater evaporated leaving salt behind. Ground subsidence caused by salt exploitation in Friesland have created water management problems. Since 2014, salt producer Frisia wants to mine salt under the Wadden Sea if the salt supply underground becomes insufficient.

  • Applications

    A large amount of the extracted salt is for the chemical industry. They use it in the production of chlorine and sodium carbonate, as well as throwing salt for icy roads. Only a limited amount of the salt is used in the production of foods.

  • Subsidence from salt extraction

    The ground near Harlingen is subsiding two to four centimeters per year. Officials have agreed that no more than 35 centimeters of subsidence is acceptable, since it has significant consequences for water management in the area. When land, dikes and pumps subside, groundwater and seawater levels rise relatively speaking. To prevent terpen from settling, water boards must keep the groundwater level stable. In addition, when land subsides the force of seawater on the dikes is greater, making it easier to penetrate under the dike and seep into agricultural areas, turning the land brackish. Since most crops are unable to grow in silty soil, this silty penetration is a threat to farmers.

  • Applications

    A large amount of the extracted salt is for the chemical industry. They use it in the production of chlorine and sodium carbonate, as well as throwing salt for icy roads. Only a limited amount of the salt is used in the production of foods.

  • Subsidence from salt extraction

    The ground near Harlingen is subsiding two to four centimeters per year. Officials have agreed that no more than 35 centimeters of subsidence is acceptable, since it has significant consequences for water management in the area. When land, dikes and pumps subside, groundwater and seawater levels rise relatively speaking. To prevent terpen from settling, water boards must keep the groundwater level stable. In addition, when land subsides the force of seawater on the dikes is greater, making it easier to penetrate under the dike and seep into agricultural areas, turning the land brackish. Since most crops are unable to grow in silty soil, this silty penetration is a threat to farmers.