Editing Chloride (section)

==Examples and uses==
An example is table salt, which is [[sodium chloride]] with the [[chemical formula]] NaCl. In [[water (molecule)|water]], it dissociates into Na<sup>+</sup> and Cl<sup>&minus;</sup> ions. Salts such as [[calcium chloride]], [[magnesium chloride]], [[potassium chloride]] have varied uses ranging from medical treatments to cement formation.<ref name="auto"/>

Calcium chloride (CaCl<sub>2</sub>) is a salt that is marketed in [[Granular material|pellet]] form for removing dampness from rooms. Calcium chloride is also used for maintaining unpaved roads and for fortifying roadbases for new construction. In addition, calcium chloride is widely used as a [[de-icer]], since it is effective in lowering the [[melting point]] when applied to ice.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/Chemical/saltcom.html|title=Common Salts|website=hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu|publisher=Georgia State University}}</ref>

Examples of [[Covalent bonding|covalently-bonded]] chlorides are [[phosphorus trichloride]], [[phosphorus pentachloride]], and [[thionyl chloride]], all three of which are reactive chlorinating [[reagent]]s.

===Water quality and processing===
A major application involving chloride is [[desalination]], which involves the energy intensive removal of chloride salts to give [[drinking water|potable water]]. In the [[petroleum industry]], the chlorides are a closely monitored constituent of the [[drilling fluid|mud system]]. An increase of the chlorides in the mud system may be an indication of drilling into a high-pressure saltwater formation. Its increase can also indicate the poor quality of a target sand.{{Citation needed|date=March 2012}}

Chloride is also a useful and reliable chemical indicator of river and groundwater fecal contamination, as chloride is a non-reactive solute and ubiquitous to sewage and potable water. Many water regulating companies around the world utilize chloride to check the contamination levels of the rivers and potable water sources.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gopetsamerica.com/substance/chlorides.aspx|title=Chlorides|website=www.gopetsamerica.com|access-date=14 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160818142707/http://www.gopetsamerica.com/substance/chlorides.aspx|archive-date=18 August 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref>

===Food===
Chloride salts such as [[sodium chloride]] are used to [[Salting (food)|preserve food]] and as nutrients or [[condiment]]s.