Log out Go to App
Go to App

Learning Materials

Features

Discover

Chapter 16: Problem 1

Describe the salinity of seawater: its composition, amount, and distribution.

Short Answer

Expert verified
Seawater salinity is a measure of the total amounts of salts dissolved in seawater, averaging about 35 grams per kilogram of sea water, or roughly 3.5%. The most common salt is sodium chloride, but others are present in smaller proportions. The salinity varies across different parts of the ocean due to factors like evaporation, iceberg melting, and rainfall.

Step by step solution

01

Investigate the Composition of Seawater Salinity

Start by describing the composition of salinity in seawater. Salinity refers to the total amounts of salts dissolved in seawater. Typical seawater has about 35 parts of salts in every 1000 parts of water. The most abundant salt in seawater is sodium chloride, also known as table salt. Other components include magnesium, calcium, and potassium, sulphate, bicarbonate and bromide ions.
02

Describe the Amount of Salinity in Seawater

Next, provide info about the amount of salinity in seawater. Though it may vary in different parts of the ocean, on average, seawater in the world's oceans has a salinity of approximately 3.5%. This means that every kilogram (roughly one liter) of seawater contains about 35 grams of dissolved salts (mostly, but not entirely, sodium chloride).
03

Discuss the Distribution of Salinity in the Oceans

Finally, explain the distribution of salinity. It's important to note that the level of salinity is not equally distributed across the different oceans and seas. Factors such as evaporation, freeze-thaw processes, rainfalls and currents can influence the degree of salinity in different regions. For instance, regions with high evaporation and low rainfall, like the Mediterranean Sea, have higher salinity.

Unlock Step-by-Step Solutions & Ace Your Exams!

  • Full Textbook Solutions

    Get detailed explanations and key concepts

  • Unlimited Al creation

    Al flashcards, explanations, exams and more...

  • Ads-free access

    To over 500 millions flashcards

  • Money-back guarantee

    We refund you if you fail your exam.

Start your free trial

Over 30 million students worldwide already upgrade their learning with Vaia!

One App. One Place for Learning.

All the tools & learning materials you need for study success - in one app.

Get started for free

Most popular questions from this chapter

How do people attempt to modify littoral drift? What strategies are used? What are the positive and negative impacts of these actions?

What are the key terms used to describe the coastal environment?

Describe a beach-its form, composition, function, and evolution.

What characteristic tides are expected during a new Moon or a full Moon? During the first-quarter and third-quarter phases of the Moon? What is meant by a flood tide? An ebb tide?

What is a wave? How are waves generated, and how do they travel across the ocean? Does the water travel with the wave? Discuss the process of wave formation and transmission.
See all solutions

Recommended explanations on Geography Textbooks

Coasts Geography

Read Explanation

Migration and Identity

Read Explanation

Living With The Physical Environment

Read Explanation

Water Cycle

Read Explanation

Challenges In The Human Environment

Read Explanation

Geographical Skills

Read Explanation
View all explanations

What do you think about this solution?

We value your feedback to improve our textbook solutions.

Study anywhere. Anytime. Across all devices.

Sign-up for free