64 



CARNEGIE INSTITUTION OF WASHINGTON. 



Eighth Annual Analysis of the Saltan Sea Water, by A. E. Vinson. 



The level of the water in Salton Lake fell 54 inches during 1913 and 

 the recession from June 1, 1913, to June 1, 1914, the period separating 

 the taking of the water samples for the two j^ears, amounted to but 42 

 inches, according to data furnished by the Southern Pacific Railway. 

 A constant level was maintained from December 1, 1913, to May 1, 

 1914, which was probably due to the equivalence of inflowing flood- 

 stems water to the evaporation. 



The annual sample of Salton Sea water was collected June 12, 1914, 

 over deep water about 1^ miles from shore, near Travertine Point. 

 The water was very clear and did not show as many organisms as 

 were present the previous year. The lime deposits on the mesquite 

 stems below water-level did not seem as heav}^ as in 1913. 



During 359 days (June 18, 1913, to June 12, 1914) the total solids 

 have increased from 1,002.56 to 1,179.6 parts per 100,000, an increase of 

 17.5 per cent. When calculated for the year ending June 31, 1914, by 

 the method used in previous years, the annual concentration is found 

 to be 18.1 per cent (17.7 per cent for 1913 and 17.5 per cent for 1912). 

 The table gives the composition on June 12, 1914. 



Parts in 

 100,000. 



Lithium, Li None. 



Chlorine, CI 559 . 66 



Sulphuric, SO4 148. 10 



Carbonic, CO3 in total solids None. 



Carbonic, CO2 total 10.68 



Bicarbonic, HCO3 volumetric 15 . 22 



Silicic, Si04 2.42 



Phosphoric, PO4 Trace. 



Nitric, NO3 None. 



Nitrous, NO2 None. 



Oxygen consumed 0. 110 



Boric acid Trace. 



Parts in 



100,000. 

 Total solids (dried at 110° C.) plus 



water of occlusion and hydration . 1,179 . 6 

 Water of occlusion and hydration . . 36 . 2 



Sodium, Na 381 .47 



Potassium, K 4.01 



Calcium, Ca 22 . 22 



Magnesium, Mg 19 . 03 



Aluminum, Al . 140 



Iron, Fe 0.012 



Manganese, Mn None. 



Zinc, Zn None. 



Lead, Pb None. 



Copper, Cu None. 



Calcium and carbonates, as in previous j^ears, have not concentrated 

 as much as the other constituents, carbonates again showing an actual 

 decrease. Potassium, however, instead of decreasing has concentrated 

 this year in about the same ratio as the other constituents. 



Micro-organisms and Tufa-formation in the Salton and Other Saline 

 Waters, hy George T. Moore. 

 In the first part of May 1914, a trip was made to the Salton Sea for 

 the purpose of securing a collection of the algae growing in this body of 

 water, as well as obtaining material which might throw light upon the 

 formation of the travertine occurring here and elsewhere. The algae 

 collected, while of value as indicating the character of the flora of a 

 body of water subjected to the peculiar conditions of the Salton, were 

 not sufficient from which to draw any well-defined conclusions. It is 

 evident that more information could be obtained from material col- 



