Reasons for variations in salinity in the various oceans?

Answer 1

Salinity can vary because of water temperature, rivers emptying into the ocean and mixing with ocean water, ice forming or melting, evaporation and precipitation. I think temperature is the biggest reason. "Highest concentrations (over 37 practical salinity units) of salt water are present the mid-Atlantic Ocean and lower-Atlantic off the coast of Brazil, the Mediterranean Sea and the Red Sea. Lower concentrations are found near the Arctic and Antarctic and the coastal regions of east Asia and western North America." 1

"High concentrations are usually in the center of the ocean basins away from the mouths of rivers, which input fresh water. High concentrations are also in sub-tropical regions due to high rates of evaporation (clear skies, little rain, and prevailing winds) and in landlocked seas in arid regions. At high latitudes, salinity is low. This can be attributed to lower elevation rates and the melting of ice that dilutes seawater. To sum up, salinity is low where precipitation is greater than evaporation, mainly in coastal or equatorial regions." 1

ME: It seems that the introduction of freshwater sources (river, ice, rainfall) to salt water cause a difference in salinity. The location and latitude of the body of water would effect the amount of precipitation, temperature, and if fresh water were available to mix with the saltwater.

As for the inorganic salts, I found a list of them onhttp://www.ewg.org/chemindex/all/509 Just look up what some of these do for living organisms, because they contribute to various functions in living organisms. I looked of phosphate for example and found this:http://www.foodproductdesign.com/articles/2006/06/figuring-out-phosphates.aspx

Source(s):http://nasascience.nasa.gov/earth-science/oceanography/physical-ocean/salinityhttp://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20080710123816AAsEmp1

I cant take full credit for this,

Answer 2

the more pressure somthing has the more denser it gets

Answer 3

deeper water is more dense, colder water is more dense, warm water is less dense, water with much salt is more dense.

Answer 4

Yes ! Currents with a certain density slip under/over another current, depending on their density. A change in density can cause a change in direction of that current !

Answer 5

The differing densities of water create a consistent movement between the various thermal layers. As water is cooled, it actually expands, so it rises, and as it is warmed it sinks.

Answer 6

currents