Mediterranean Sea salinity
Topic: Oceans: Hydrological Cycle, Relief of the Ocean Floor, Temperature and Salinity · NCERT: Class 11, Ch 12 "Water (Oceans)"
Meaning
The Mediterranean Sea is saltier than the open Atlantic Ocean. Its salinity (the amount of salt dissolved in seawater) is about 38–39 parts per thousand (‰), while the open ocean averages about 35‰. The sea lies in a hot, dry climate, so evaporation is high and leaves the salt behind. It is almost closed off by land, so its salty water cannot easily mix with the open ocean. This makes it a standard example of how evaporation and enclosure raise salinity.
Example
The Mediterranean lies between Europe, Africa and Asia. Its only link to the Atlantic is the narrow Strait of Gibraltar. Fresher Atlantic water flows in at the surface. The heavier, salty Mediterranean water sinks and flows out to the Atlantic along the bottom of the strait.
Don't confuse with
- Black Sea salinity: the Black Sea is also almost enclosed, but it is very fresh (about 17–18‰). Big rivers such as the Danube, Dnieper and Dniester pour fresh water into it.
Related concepts
- Horizontal distribution of salinity
- Red Sea salinity
- Baltic Sea
- Bay of Bengal and Arabian Sea salinity
- Halocline