Fresh Water
Yes, brackish water is typically less saline than ocean water. Brackish water is a mix of fresh and saltwater, with a salinity level that falls between that of freshwater and seawater. Ocean water is usually more saline due to the higher salt content.
The Baltic Sea has lower salinity levels compared to other seas because it receives a large input of freshwater from rivers and precipitation, which dilutes the salt content. Additionally, limited water exchange with the North Sea and the Atlantic Ocean hinders the replenishment of salts in the Baltic Sea, contributing to its lower salinity levels.
Water that is a mixture of fresh water and salt water is called brackish water.
Salinity is the saltiness or dissolved salt content of a body of water. The average ocean salinity is 35 ppt. This number varies between about 32 and 37 ppt. Rainfall, evaporation, river runoff, and ice formation cause the variations. For example, the Black Sea is so diluted by river runoff, its average salinity is only 16 ppt. Freshwater salinity is usually less than 0.5 ppt. Water between 0.5 ppt and 17 ppt is called brackish. Estuaries, where fresh river water meets salty ocean water, are examples of brackish waters. Saline waters from inland seas can have a composition that differs from that of the ocean.
Rainfall does not directly affect ocean salinity, as rainwater is freshwater and dilutes the salt content in the ocean. Other factors such as evaporation, ice formation, and river input can influence ocean salinity levels.
The lowest areas of salinity in an ocean are near where fresh water rivers empty into them. This is because the influx of fresh water creates an area of lower salinity compared to the remainder of the ocean.
Ocean water has a higher salinity (salt content) than fresh water does.
A) Salinity - the salt concentration in ocean water - is a major property that influences its density and affects marine life. Ocean water contains various minerals, experiences pressure variations with depth, and supports diverse plankton communities, but salinity is a fundamental characteristic.
Evaporation increases salinity in the ocean by concentrating the salt content in the remaining water. Freezing increases salinity by excluding salt from the ice crystals that form, leaving the surrounding water saltier.
The main reasons for higher salt content in surface ocean water are evaporation and formation of sea ice. As water evaporates, salt is left behind, causing an increase in salinity. In regions where sea ice forms, the salt is expelled, further increasing the salinity of the remaining water.
Biomes with a salinity range of 3 to 3.37 typically include brackish water environments such as estuaries, where freshwater from rivers mixes with saltwater from the ocean. These areas are characterized by fluctuating levels of salinity, resulting in unique ecosystems that support various species of plants and animals adapted to these conditions.
Biomass and temperature, erosion and mineral content.