Playas

From the Paper:

"Inland Playas


Many terms have been used to describe playas. In general, a playa is a closed body of water which occurs in a desert environment Playa salinity ranges from high to solute saturated--some lakes being completely ephemeral. In all playas evaporation will usually exceed input. These lakes are distinguished according to the presence or absence of groundwater influx. Dry playas are periodically flooded by surface waters and tend to be floored by silt and clay. When groundwater lies between 1 and 3 meters from the playa crust, capillary movement may form a puffy surface. When groundwater discharges into a basin it creates a moist playa. Moist playas are characterized by salt crystallization that tends to be deposited in outer carbonate zones, middle sulphate zones, and inner chloride zones. Present..."

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