These photos show some of the actual operation. ESSA argues on its own behalf that there is not any evidence to support the arguement that their operation is harmful to the whales. I do feel that the brine spills probably did harm sea turtles. As always there becomes a pushing and pulling between our love of the ocean environment and the rights of the commercial interests. Knowledge is Power.
Solar salt is produced by the action of sun and wind on seawater.
The water evaporates until the brine is so concentrated salt crystallizes on the floor of the ponds. Solar salt plants must be located in areas of low rainfall and high evaporation rates, and where suitable low-cost is available. As seawater evaporates, its volume decreases and the concentration of sodium chloride in the resulting brine increases. The principal impurities in solar salt are small amounts of calcium and magnesium sulfate, and magnesium chloride. Clean brine, made by dissolving fine salt, is used to wash the salt to remove small amounts of impurities such as these.