Sivas Spring Saltworks: Geology, Culture and Ecology of Fadlum, Bingöl, Hamo, Cedit and Tuzlagözü

The spring saltworks of Sivas form one of Türkiye’s richest regions for traditional and semi-traditional salt production from naturally saline groundwater. Numerous historical spring saltworks around Sivas use saline waters emerging from different geological settings.

Why Is Sivas Rich in Spring Salt?

Oligocene- and Miocene-age sedimentary basins occupy important areas within the large territory of Sivas Province. These basins contain evaporites and dispersed saline horizons formed during past geological periods.

Groundwater dissolves salt while passing through these saline sediments and then rises to the surface along suitable fractures, faults or permeable beds. Numerous saline springs can therefore form even where there is no single large rock-salt body.

Saltworks Examined in Academic Research

A microbiological study by researchers from Anadolu University sampled several spring saltworks in Sivas. The study focused particularly on the Bingöl, Fadlum, Tuzlagözü, Cedit and Hamo saltworks.

Bingöl and Fadlum are located around central Sivas, while Tuzlagözü, Cedit and Hamo lie around Zara district.

How Does a Spring Saltworks Operate?

Saline groundwater is directed into shallow evaporation ponds. Solar energy and dry air remove water. As solution density increases, salt crystals form and become ready for harvesting.

The principle resembles solar evaporation in sea-salt works, but the starting water is not seawater; it is naturally saline groundwater.

Salinity Measurements

Some ponds and spring waters sampled in the academic study showed very high total salinity. Reported values included approximately 17.5 percent for Cedit spring water, 26.2 percent for the Fadlum pond, 27 percent for the Bingöl pond and 26.2 percent for the Tuzlagözü pond.

These measurements relate to specific sampling dates. Spring discharge, rainfall and evaporation rates in production ponds can cause seasonal variation.

Halophilic Microorganisms

One of the scientifically notable features of the Sivas saltworks is their microbial communities adapted to high salinity. The study isolated different groups of bacteria and archaea.

Because these microorganisms can live at high salt concentrations, they are known as halophiles, or salt-loving microorganisms. The saltworks are therefore not only economic production sites but also natural research environments for extremophile microbiology.

Historical and Rural Importance of the Sivas Saltworks

Unlike large industrial mines, spring saltworks can be closely connected with rural production systems. Seasonal work, family labour, local transport and trade with surrounding villages have historically formed part of their social structure.

Biological and Ecological Value

High salinity is difficult for most ordinary freshwater organisms but creates unique habitats for specialised microorganisms. Biodiversity in saltwork ponds therefore differs markedly from conventional freshwater ecosystems.

Environmental Sensitivities

Protecting the natural hydrological regime, preventing uncontrolled movement of saline water into surrounding freshwater systems and managing production ponds without disrupting natural drainage are important at spring saltworks.

The scientific value of specialised halophilic microbial communities also means these areas should be considered not only as production sites but as distinctive extreme ecosystems.

Individual Saltworks Files

The Sivas spring saltworks are not treated as a single undifferentiated group on this portal. Separate inventory articles are prepared for each site verified in the sources, beginning with Fadlum, Bingöl, Hamo, Cedit and Tuzlagözü.

Sivas in the Türkiye Spring Salt Atlas

Sivas is one of the richest regions in the Türkiye Spring Salt Atlas because many naturally saline springs occur within a single province, traditional spring-salt production continues, and its saltworks have become subjects of academic microbiology research.

Sources and Academic Research

Çınar & Mutlu – Culture-Dependent Characterisation of Microbial Communities in the Solar Saltworks of Sivas

Where and How Should Rock Salt Be Purchased?

This page is a historical and geological inventory of a region, mine or natural salt source. No automatic origin relationship should be inferred between the site discussed here and any commercial product sold on the market. The actual origin of a product should be checked from the producer and origin declarations on its own packaging.

When purchasing salt for food use, the package should be checked for traceability information such as the name and address of the producer or food business operator, establishment registration number, batch or lot number, date information, net quantity and an accurate product description.

Retail rock salt and everyday use: Tuzcu Baba and cankirituzu.com
Premium crystalline rock salt: Kristal Tuz
Wholesale and B2B purchasing within Türkiye: Berrak Tuz
International sales and export: TürkSalt

Explore the Sivas Saltworks Individually

Other Sivas saltworks including Hafik, Manastıraltı, Gölemis, Piliç, Çakrı and Hargün are also added as separate atlas files as source verification is completed.

Sivas Saltworks Micro Atlas – Second Group

Yazar

Bilal ÖZKAN