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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,

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What liquid are the oceans made of?

The oceans are primarily made of water. This water contains dissolved salts and other minerals, which give the oceans their characteristic salinity.


Why do most oceans in hot dry climates have high salinity?

because of evaporation


What is the salinity of the oceans?

Salinity is the amount of salt in the water. The salinity varies with the location where the sample is taken . Example being , north & south poles where melting ice dilutes the oceans , or river estuaries where fresh water mixes with salt water from the oceans . Difference will be found in the zones around the equator , just because of the fact of higher precipitation from higher evaporation of the oceans surface . In general the salinity varies from 33-37ppt , with average 35ppt . Surely extremes could be found but they will not be the form . One such example is the Black sea with 16ppt , that is caused from the many large rivers diluting it. 1 gram of salt and 999 grams of water, the salinity is 1 part per thousand, or 1 ppt


What is one factor that decreases salinity in seawater?

Salinity in oceans decrease when near a river because the river adds fresh water, which lowers the percentage of salt in the water, causing the salinity to decrease.


The oceans saltiness is the same in all locations?

The level of saltiness in the oceans can vary depending on factors such as evaporation, precipitation, and river runoff. Salinity can be higher in regions where evaporation is high and lower in areas with more rainfall or freshwater input from rivers. This variability results in different salinity levels in different locations within the oceans.

Related Questions

What are the reasons for variations in salinity in the oceans?

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.http://wiki.answers.com/List_the_reasons_for_variations_in_salinity_in_the_various_oceans#ixzz16sZMdZIZ


Is salinity high on open ocean?

In open ocean evaporation affects the salinity of the oceans, in closed oceans the lack of sunrays cause greater salinity levels.


What affects the oceans salinity?

Water


What affects oceans salinity?

Water


List the reasons for variations in salinity in the various oceans?

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.


Describe the oceans and explain how the water cycle affects the salinity of the ocean?

Oceans are big water bodies. Salinity is due to the presence of minerals in water.


What is the salinity in the oceans?

The amount of salt in the water. Near the surface of the open oceans salinity is in general between 3.3% and 3.7%


What is the measure of dissolved salts in the oceans called?

salinity


What factors affects salinity?

There are several factors that affect salinity. Some of the main factors include evaporation and precipitation which will affect the salinity of oceans and seas.


Where is Salinity found?

In any body of water; usually oceans.


Does the water in the Atlantic and Pacific oceans have the same salinity?

i think no.


What is percantage of salt in oceans water?

3.1-3.6% salinity