Sabkha

The term Sabcha (Arabic سبخة, DMG Sabha, also Sabkha, sebkha, Sebkhat, Sebkhet, in the Western Sahara Grara ), refers to a flat, partly filled with water basin with no surface runoff in a semi-arid area.

Classification

Sabchas therefore belong to the type of ephemeral, temporary lakes.

Location

They are localized sinks with moist soils, which are used for the cultivation of cereals and vegetables or as pasture land. In contrast to the salt flats ( Playas ) Sabchas have a flat hinterland. They occur as domestic Sabcha ( " salt marshes " ) or as a coastal Sabcha ( " salt marsh "). Some authors restrict the term to the coastal Sabcha.

Construction

Be deposited small powerful layers of clayey, silty to fine sandy sediments (very common aeolian origin), the frequently changing store with thin salt layers ( gypsum, anhydrite and halite ). In the coastal Sabchas it often comes to the formation of carbonate sediments. The coastal Sabchas are still within the range of the mean water level of the sea or slightly above. The water table is therefore only slightly below the sediment surface. The frequent wind erosion ends at the Kapillarwasserzone.