Filter construction resistant to the passage of water soluble materials and filtration method

The present disclosure relates to systems and methods that use a hydrophobic medium to remove salt and moisture from the intake air of a gas turbine system. The disclosure also relates to systems and methods that use a two stage filtering process to remove particulate material, salt and moisture from the intake air of a gas turbine system. Particulate material is filtered from the intake air at a first stage air cleaner. Subsequently, salt and moisture are removed from the intake air at a second stage salt barrier located downstream from the first stage air cleaner. In certain embodiments, the second stage salt barrier uses a hydrophobic medium to remove salt and moisture from the intake air.