How is salt obtained by evaporating seawater in warm climates?

In regions with high evaporation rates, salt is produced through solar evaporation by channeling seawater into a series of shallow, diked ponds. This process relies on specific environmental conditions, including a hot, dry climate, minimal rainfall, and flat, impermeable terrain.12

The production follows these general steps:

• Pre-concentration: Seawater flows through initial ponds where evaporation increases the brine's density. During this stage, suspended impurities like sand, clay, and less soluble substances such as calcium carbonate and calcium sulfate are removed.1
• Crystallization: The concentrated brine is moved into a series of crystallizing pans. As evaporation continues, sodium chloride precipitates and deposits on the pond floors.12
• Harvesting: Once the salt has crystallized, it is collected. In developing regions, this is often done manually by raking and draining the salt, while industrial operations use mechanical equipment like graders and loaders.12
• Processing: The harvested salt is washed—often with saturated brine or fresh water—dewatered, and prepared for storage or sale.1

The remaining liquid, known as bitterns, may be further processed to recover other minerals like potash and bromine.1