suolan

Suolan, in Finnish, refers to common salt, the mineral composed mainly of sodium chloride (NaCl). The word suolan is the genitive form of suola, used in Finnish to indicate possession or composition, as in suolan koostumus (composition of salt) or suolan pitoisuus (salt content). Salt is essential for life in many organisms and has long been used to season and preserve food.

Chemically, ordinary salt is NaCl; it forms colorless to white crystalline crystals with a cubic lattice. It is highly soluble in water; dissolution yields an electrolyte solution that conducts electricity. The melting point is high, around 801 °C, and the compound is generally nonflammable. Natural sources include seawater, from which salt is extracted by evaporation, and rock salt (halite) deposits formed by ancient evaporated seas.

Production involves extracting rock salt by mining or producing evaporated salt by brine evaporation ponds, followed by purification and sometimes iodization to prevent iodine deficiency. The iodization is common in many countries and various forms exist such as table salt and sea salt.

Uses range from culinary seasoning and food preservation to de-icing roads and chemical manufacturing, where salt is an input for chlorine and caustic soda production. Health-wise, sodium intake is monitored due to associations with blood pressure and cardiovascular risk; guidelines emphasize moderation and iodized salt may contribute to dietary iodine.