SALT IN THE OCEANS. Composition of sea water Where do the salts come from? Weathering of rocks –...
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SALT IN THE OCEANS
Transcript of SALT IN THE OCEANS. Composition of sea water Where do the salts come from? Weathering of rocks –...
SALT IN THE OCEANS
Composition of sea water
Where do the salts come from?
• Weathering of rocks– Na, Mg, Ca, K
• Underwater volcanic eruptions– Cl, Br, S
Salinity
• Ratio of dissolved substance to the mass of water
• %= parts per hundred• 0/00= parts per thousand
• Seawater averages 35 0/00
What can change salinity?
• Lowers salinity– Precipitation– Run-off– Melting land or sea ice
• Raises salinity– Evaporation– Formation of sea ice
Glaciers
• Growing glaciers ________ salinity
• Melting glaciers ________ salinity
Salinity
Salinity map
Dead Sea
• Salinity 300 ppt• No life forms
Great Salt Lake, Utah
• Salinity 12 ppt• No fish• Stinky brine shrimp• Would you want to boat in this?
Deep ocean currents