Potassium

• Photographer
  Volker Birke, Germany
• Website
  https://www.volkerbirke.com
• Instagram
  https://www.instagram.com/volkerbirke/

Nikon D800, Nikon AF-S Nikkor 70-200mm f2.8 G ED VR II, Nikon AF-S
TC-14E II Telekonverter
1.4x, Käsemann Polarizer MRC, tripod, long exposure, PP in PS CC

Overburden ("abraum salt" heap / mount) of a potassium salt mine by
night.
The salt mine processes potassium salts for fertilizer / nutrient
production and the
chemical industry - note that potassium (its chemical symbol is
denoted as "K") is a key
element of life (cells of plants and animals are dependent on it) and
crucial regarding
certain chemical syntheses and / or a key component of certain
important chemical
compounds. However, potassium is a pretty rare element on Earth,
hence, other elements
associating it in much higher concentrations such as sodium and
magnesium (salts) are
usually dumped / piled up in giant heaps. They may cause a lot of
problems to the
environment by contaminating local aquifers / the ground water
around and especially local
streams with high loads of salts / salinity due to sodium chloride etc.

Homepage: https://www.volkerbirke.com/

Awards * International Color Awards 2020 - 1st place (Outstanding Achievement) and 3rd place (Honor of Distinction) as well as two honorable mentions and several nominations

* PX3 2013 - Silver Winner - Other Category
* PX3 2013 - Bronze Winner - Sunsets Category
* PX3 2013 - Bronze Winner(People Choice) - Sunsets Category
* PX3 2015 - Gold Winner - Landscape Category
* PX3 2015 - 3 honorable mentions
* PX3 2020 - Silver Winner, one honorable mention

International Photography Awards (IPA) 2020
4 honorable mentions

International Photography Awards (IPA) 2019
2 honorable mentions

International Photography Awards (IPA) 2016
1st, 2nd, and 3rd place, 3 honorable mentions

International Photography Awards (IPA) 2015
2nd place for "Silent Running" (architectural)
2nd place for "Buschhaus" (environmental)
11 honorable mentions

Spider Awards 2019
1 nomination

Spider Awards 2013:
2 honorable mentions, several nominations

Spider Awards 2014:
8 nominations

7th International Annual Color Awards 2014:
3rd place (Honor of Distinction) for "It's Full of Stars", category: nature
2 honorable mentions, 4 nominations

8th International Annual Color Awards 2015
3rd place for "To The Sea", category: nature
3 honorable mentions