ALKALI 



problem involved in the consideration of this source of "alkali" 

 is the high ratio of chlorine to the other constituents, in view 

 of its very low ratio in the rocks from which it comes. The 

 explanation undoubtedly involves the fact that the carbonates 

 and sulphates are constantly being removed as calcium salts from 

 a body of water which is more or less continuously receiving the 

 drainage of any considerable watershed, and is at the same time 

 subject to a relatively high rate of evaporation. The chlorine 

 forming only very soluble salts under such conditions would be 

 segregated and concentrated in the residual mother liquor. Most 

 difficult is it to account for the relatively high ratio of sodium to 

 potassium in alkali from such an origin. Some light is thrown 

 on the subject by the progressive changes in concentration of a 

 lake water which receives a regional drainage under arid condi- 

 tions. To this end are given the following results of analyses 

 of the waters of Utah Lake, made at different times 1 over an 

 interval of twenty years, and showing that there is a segrega- 

 tion of chlorine and sodium taking place, although in this case 

 the lake has an outlet in the Jordan River. 



ANALYSES OF THE WATER OF UTAH LAKE. RESULTS IN PARTS 

 PER MILLION 



1 The water of Utah Lake, by F. K. Cameron : Jour. Am. Chem. Soc., 

 27, 113-116 (1905). 



2 Sample collected May 18. Lake unusually high. 



3 Sample collected Aug. 31. Lake still high for that season of the 

 year. 



