The near-surface sediment stratigraphy of Saskatchewan hypersaline lakes comprises four main units: the underlying mud unit, the permanent crystal layer, the crystal-mud layer and the intermittent crystal layer. Mirabilite, thenardite and bloedite are the dominant evaporate minerals in all crystal layers. The concentrated brine and the intermittent crystal layer are the two phases of a complex, dynamic, multi-component chemical and mineralogical system, the equilibrium of which is a function of temperature and moisture. An annual cycle of change from undersaturated to supersaturated lake brine conditions is caused by dilute water influx in the spring and evaporative concentration during the summer; freeze-out process dominate in the winter....