Geochemistry and X-ray diffraction data from rock salts and saltwork wastes of Canada: data compilation

This report compiles geochemical data from major salt formations and associated beds occurring in the subsurface (~200-2000 m) of sedimentary basins within onshore Canada. Included are new project data (obtained since 2022), those published in research papers, and non-confidential data from national and provincial databases. Rock materials are mostly diamond-bit cores from wells drilled for oil and gas, salt mines, salt cavern, or potash exploration. Four data categories are reported: (1) lithogeochemistry data are whole-rock analytical results acquired predominantly with 4-acid digestion on ICP instrumentation; (2) brined cores – salt samples put into solution with deionised water and analysed with ICP instrumentation; (3) a small set of real industrial brines from salt/potash mines and salt cavern storage operations. The category (4) includes new semi-quantitative X-ray diffraction (XRD) data made on whole rocks (3 clay-fraction samples also included), as well as insoluble residues from brined samples. The brined core data simulate chemical composition of brines produced by industrial solution mining; they are reported in NaCl saturated notation. A large portion of lithogeochemistry data comes from non-salt beds associated with salt deposits: silty marls, carbonates (“red beds”), and anhydrites. The range of reported elements varies between datasets. New analyses were performed with the goal to assess trace elements from the “Critical Minerals” list (Li, Rb,… REEs), along with major elements making up lithic impurities in salts. This compilation provides data support for ongoing Government of Canada research programs, analytical publications, and is intended for broader industry (solution mining, etc.) and public use. This report compiles geochemical data from major salt formations and associated beds (marls, carbonates, anhydrites) occurring in the subsurface (~200-2000 m) of onshore Canada. Included are our previously unpublished data (479 data lines), those published in research papers, and non-confidential data from national and provincial databases (2415 data lines). We report whole-rock lithogeochemistry, results from brined cores (170 data lines; salt samples put into solution with deionised water), a small set of real industrial brines, new semi-quantitative XRD data made on whole rocks (269 data), plus 3 clay-fraction XRD data. The brined core data simulate chemical composition of brines produced by industrial solution mining; they are reported in NaCl saturated notation. New analyses were performed with the goal to assess trace elements from the “Critical Minerals” list (Li, Rb,… REEs), along with major elements making up lithic impurities in salts.