GEOLOGIA I HYDROGEOLOGIA ZŁÓŻ SOLI I ICH OTOCZENIA W REGIONIE GDAŃSKIM Złoża permskiej soli kamiennej i potasowej w rejonie Zatoki Puckiej — budowa geologiczna i zasoby

Abstract

Permian rock salt and potash deposits of the Puck Bay — geology and resourcesA b s t r a c t . On the eastern slope of the Łeba Elevation, in the area between Łeba and the Puck Bay, three large stratiform Late Permian (Zechstein) rock salt deposits and four smaller potash (polyhalite type) deposits were discovered and explored by the Polish Geological Institute in 1960–1980. Prospecting and general exploration (categories C1 and C2 of gelogical studies in Polish classification) showed that total resources of rocks salt are of the order of 21 x 109 Mg and and indicated resources of potash salts—0,6 x 109 Mg (category C2). The results of exploration showed that the rock salt deposits are characterized by simple structure (the single rock salt seam, high homogeneity of salt with only a few locally developed sulfate interbeds and low content of negative components such as e.g. K, Mg, Ca and insolubles), occurrence of isolating sulfate beds at the top and the bottom of salt seam and the lack of intense tectonic salt deformations (Table 1). These features make the deposits the optimal geological objects both for exploitation and location of underground storages and depositories. The polyhalite deposits are the major domestic reserves of K-Mg salt and may be important source of potassium for production of mineral fertilizers. However, a decision whether to conduct a fesibility study requires both a new economical valuation and recalculation of resources, especially as a new interpretation of of their genesis has been put forward.