The composition of the salts in Çankiri salt cave and the effect of the refining process

In this study, the changes in the content of salt during the production of refined salt from rock salt were examined. For this purpose, samples were taken from the salt refining steps in the Çankırı Salt Cave. The salt samples taken were examined by inductive methods such as paired plasma mass spectrometry and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. In The crystal structure was observed by taking micro photos to determine the distribution of impurities in rock salt in the matrix. It was found that the analyzed salt samples did not contain arsenic (As), mercury (Hg), lead (Pb), tin (Sn), lithium (Li), aluminum (Al), vanadium (V), chromium (Cr), iron (Fe), cobalt (Co), nickel (Ni), antimony (Sb) and cadmium (Cd). The rock salt samples were found to contain the elements titanium (Fr), manganese (Mn), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn) and barium (Ba). The amount of Ti in salt samples was determined in the concentration range of of 0.3±1.5 µg kg-1. The amount of Mg mineral, one of the trace elements, in salt samples was determined in the concentration range of 37.0±70.5 mg kg-1, while the amount of Zn mineral in salt samples was determined in the concentration range of 173.0±300.5 µg kg-1. The Ba concentration was found to be 612.5±1867.5 µg kg-1, Mn concentration was found to be 9.5±39.5 µg kg-1. The concentration of the Cu in the salt samples was found to be 0.3±0.9 µg kg-1 and the concentration of the element Ca was found to be 589.5±825.0 mg kg-1. In addition, in the FTIR analyses performed in this study, it was aimed to identify rock salt samples at an elementary level. When considerations such as the fact that no heavy metals have been found in the content of Çankırı rock salts and the high degree of purity are evaluated together, it is concluded that the rock salts found in Çankırı province are a foodstuff that can be safely consumed for human health.