Proposed method of hydrogeochemical exploration for salt deposits using Cl [sbnd]Br ratios, Eastern Province, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Despite the value of the salt (NaCl) and brine used by the chemical industry, geochemical prospecting techniques are not customarily employed in the search for these raw materials. In this study, Br geochemistry is used as the basis for a proposed hydrogeochemical prospecting technique that was designed to search for shallow halite beds in the Eastern Province of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Near-surface brine samples were collected at Sabkhah Jayb Uwayyid, both directly above and distant from a buried salt bed. Brine samples collected both directly above and offset to the north-west of the salt bed had Cl Br ratios > 8000. The regional background Cl Br ratio of fresh nonmarime ground water is ≈300. The large range in Cl Br ratios and the association of high Cl Br ratios with the buried salt body suggest that the ratio can be useful in hydrogeochemical prospecting for sibakh-associated, shallow salt bodies.