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because ocean water leaves salt behind when it freezes
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Where salinity is higher?
Salinity is higher in areas with high evaporation rates, such as warm, arid regions and shallow seas like the Red Sea or the Persian Gulf. Additionally, salinity tends to increase at river mouths where seawater mixes with freshwater, especially in estuaries with limited water exchange. In polar regions, salinity can also be elevated beneath sea ice, where the surrounding water becomes saltier as ice forms.
Salinity of bering sea?
The salinity of the Bering Sea varies, typically ranging from about 30 to 33 practical salinity units (psu). This variation is influenced by factors such as freshwater input from rivers, melting ice, and ocean currents. In coastal areas, salinity can be lower due to river runoff, while offshore regions tend to have higher salinity levels. Seasonal changes also affect salinity, particularly during the melting of sea ice in spring and summer.
How does the salinity of sea ice compare to the salinity of normal seawater?
Ice has zero salinity. When it is frozen, the salt is pushed out. Therefore, since the salinity of normal seawater is about 35 ppt, it has 35 ppt more salinity than seawater.
Is the ocean water saltier at the poles?
No, ocean water is generally not saltier at the poles. In fact, polar regions tend to have lower salinity due to the melting of ice, which dilutes the seawater. Additionally, freshwater input from rivers and precipitation can also reduce salinity in these areas. In contrast, warmer regions closer to the equator often have higher salinity due to higher evaporation rates.
What is a factor which causes the salinity of the poles?
One factor that causes the high salinity of the polar regions is the freezing and subsequent rejection of salt from sea ice formation. When seawater freezes in these cold areas, salt is expelled from the ice, increasing the salinity of the surrounding water.
Why is ocean water salinity different in tropical areas than at the north poles?
This is probably due to the fact that a majority of the water in the north pole is rather cold. Causing it to freeze, and since the water is what is frozen, and not the salt, it often times changes the salinity of the ocean water.
What are the four things that affect ocean's salinity?
Salinity is affected by temperature of the water, amount of salt per area, how cool it is, and the amount of water per area. If it's hot, the water will evaporate leaving more salt behind. The more salt you add, of course you will have a higher salinity. If it is cold, ice forms and pushes out the salt into the water below. And if you add more water, there will be more water to hold the salt, thus lowering the salinity.
How does the cryosphere and hydrosphere affect ocean salinity?
The cryosphere, which includes ice and snow, influences ocean salinity primarily through processes like melting and freezing. When ice melts, it releases freshwater into the ocean, decreasing salinity in the surrounding waters. Conversely, when seawater freezes, it leaves behind salt, increasing salinity in the remaining liquid water. Additionally, changes in precipitation and runoff from snowmelt can further affect salinity levels in coastal areas.
Why would there generally be a higher salinity near the north and the south poles near the glaciers?
Because of the solidification of the water under low temperatures. The water is "turned" into ice, leaving the salt behind. So the salt is left in the water, with the freshwater turned into ice floating on top. If the glaciers melt, the salinity will decline, because this new freshwater will dilute the salty waters.
Give three areas in the ocean where salinity may be less than average?
Around the mouth of rivers and glaciers, or where an ice shelf is melting.
What effects the ocean's salinity?
Usually evaporation, but keep in mind that when water freezes (like the polar ice areas) the water molecules tend to crystallize with only water molecules, which pushes other stuff like salt out, resulting in higher salinity in the water that is left. A fascinating side article is in the link below.
How freezing and evaporation affect salinity?
Salinity is increased by evaporation or by freezing of sea ice. It is decreased as a result of rainfall, runoff, or melting of ice.
