Salt

PDA Databank

Halite (NaCL), commonly known as salt. A critical nutrient and a favorite flavor in human foodstuffs. Nearly four percent of the alien seawater is dissolved salt—far higher than the concentration in human blood. Living things (even on this world) cannot survive this level of salt in their bodies. As a result, organisms spend a great deal of energy pumping salt out of their bodies. Some fish use a third of their metabolic energy to pump salt. A shortage of salt is equally dangerous. Hyponatremia causes hallucinations, seizure, coma and death (easily confused with other syndromes caused by exposure to this alien environment). Assessment: search for salt on sandy sea bottoms and around dead coral domes. Note: pools of salt-heavy brine may occur at the sea floor. Contact with this brine may cause seizures and death. Certain bacteria (halophiles) can thrive in these environments.