Salt pans with different colors - Trapani

The salt pans near Trapani and Marsala can have different colors depending on the salt extraction process and the concentration of salt in the different compartments of the salt pans. Here are some of the possible colors of the salt pans:

White: The most common salt extracted in these salt pans is table salt or sea salt. When the seawater evaporates, the white salt crystals are left behind. These white salt crystals can provide a sharp contrast to the blue sky and surrounding landscape.

Pink: In some salt pans, the salt crystals may have a light pink or rose tint. This is often caused by the presence of certain algae , microorganisms or minerals that give the salt a pink color.

Reddish brown: Sometimes certain salt pans can have a red or brown tint, which is due to the presence of minerals such as iron oxide or other natural substances in the salt crystals.

Green: In rare cases, salt pans may have a green color, which is usually caused by the presence of algae or other microorganisms covering the salt surface.

Willem Vandenameele