ArizoxNa Agricultural Experiment Station 297 



SALTON SEA water 



The tenth annual sample of the water of Salton Sea was taken 

 June 10, 1916, over deep water off Salton. The results of the analysis 

 are given in Table XXI. 



TABLE XXI. COMPOSITION OF SALTON SEA WATER, JUNE 10, 1916 



Total solids (at 110°C.) 



Water of Delusion and liNdration. 



Sodium 



Potassium 



Calciiun 



Magnesium 



Aluminum 



Iron 



Carbonic, CO2 (total) 



Bicarbonic, HCO3 (volumetric) . . 



Silicic, SiOj 



Phosphoric, PO4 



Boric acid 



Oxygen consumed 



Nitric 



Nitrous 



Parts per 100,000 



1647.2 

 47.5 

 528.9 

 5.71 

 > 29.85 

 27.17 

 .034 

 .060 

 11.40 

 16.10 

 1.21 

 doubtful trace 

 trace 



.170 

 none 

 trace 



From June 8, 1915, till June 10, 1916, the total solids in the Salton 

 water have increased from 1377.4 parts per 100,000 to 1647.2 parts per 

 100,000, which is equivalent to a concentration of 19.6 percent. This is 

 the greatest annual concentration noted with one exception, the con- 

 centration from June 8, 1909, till May 22, 1910, having been 21 percent. 

 Aside from the concentration of the solids collectively, there is little 

 requiring discussion at this place. Mention, however, should be made 

 of phosphoric acid. In the early annual analyses of the series weigh- 

 able amounts of yellow precipitate were obtained. For several years 

 the phosphoric acid test remained positive by scratching the sides of 

 the beaker with a stirring rod, but at this time no unmistakable reaction 

 can be obtained from three liters of water. Phosphoric acid, therefore, 

 has been reported as a doubtful trace. 



Early in this series of analyses of the Salton water it became 

 evident that calcium and carbonic acid were being lost. How this loss 

 took place was not evident. Algae and bacteria were known to deposit 

 lime, and J. C. Jones showed the ancient deposits of travertime about 

 the Salton Sea to have been formed in this way. Later the writer 

 called attention to the fact that potassium, although present in the water 

 in very small amounts, was following the same course as the calcium. 

 Undoubtedly phosphoric acid and possibly nitrogen must be added to 

 the same list. 



