Salt
What color does the pond turn when the water is SALTIEST?
What is the name of the process that removes water from the salt ponds?
Evaporation
Indigenous group that harvested salt sustainably in the bay for generations before us.
Ohlone
Before salt ponds were in the bay, what kind of ecosystem was there?
Marsh (wetland)
What major city is north of the South Bay salt ponds?
San Francisco
How long can the salt harvesting cycle take in salt ponds?
3-5 years
What historical event involved a migration to California in search of gold?
Gold Rush
What is the best salty snack in the bay?
Answers vary
Which U.S. government agency is involved in the South Bay Salt Pond Restoration Project?
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Name a river that flows into the South Bay.
Guadalupe River, Coyote Creek, Calabazas or Alameda Creek).
What is Halite?
The mineral composed of sodium chloride
Solar evaporation or sea salt mining is one type of salt mining. What is another?
Rock salt mining (room & pillar, cut & fill, drill & blast, continuous miners)
Solution mining
Solar evaporation
Vacuum/mechanical evaporation
Surface harvesting (salt flats, salt pans)
What is the name of the company still harvesting salt in the south bay?
Cargill Inc
What role do salt marshes play in protecting the land?
They act as natural buffers, reducing flooding and erosion.
What holiday is sometimes celebrated with events in restored marshes, connected to the environment?
Earth Day
What two elements make up salt?
sodium and chloride
How many years does it take to produce 1 lb of sea salt from Cargill Inc South Bath Solar Evaporation ponds?
1,000 gallons of bay water turn into 1 lb of salt after three years of solar evaporation
How many acres of marsh land did Cargill operate as salt evaporation ponds at their peak in the 1970s??
44,000 acres
Why are salt marshes important for animals?
They provide food, shelter, and breeding grounds for fish, birds, and other wildlife.
People can visit restored marshes to do what activity?
Birdwatching, hiking, or nature walks.
What gives Pink Himalayan salt it's color?
Iron Oxide
What are some negative impacts of salt mining?
destroying the land, ecosystems, habitats, killing native species and loss of biodiversity
What is the name of the microorganism that changes the color of the water?
halobacteria
How do salt marshes help improve water quality?
They filter out pollutants and trap sediments.
What large bridge is near the restored salt marshes?
Dumbarton Bridge