Geochemical Characterization of Sediments of Playa Cores

Playas are topographically enclosed, saline water bodies formed due to variety of topographical depression in arid and semiarid region, where evaporation exceeds precipitation. In arid or semi arid regions when precipitation takes place or due to runoff or floods, the geological depressions are filled with water; this water infiltrates slowly in the ground or evaporates into the atmosphere, which causes the deposition of salt and minerals on the bottom by this way formation of playas takes place. It is the flattest landform and its slopes are generally 0.2 meter per kilometer, while the size of these playas varies from 10 -15 Km2. Now a day these playas are frequently used for the production of salts and minerals in all around the world. The physical and chemical evolutions of these playas are attributed to favorable geomorphologic, tectonic and climatic conditions. These highly saline playas are characterized by alkaline brines, centripetal drainage and absence of any outflow.