The Mystery of Salty Seas: Why is Sea Water Salty?

[Victor Frankenstein]

why is sea water salty ?

 

[Andre]

Salt can normally be found as chemical component of rocks and soil mostly in very low concentrations. But it dissolves by rainwater and the original idea about the salty sea was that the hydrological cycle carries salt and other minerals into the sea by rivers, after having been leached out of the ground by rainfall runoff.

Today we know that the processes are a bit more complicated. Other process like volcano eruptions produce salty components (chlorine acid gases) that directly influence the salt concentration in the oceans

Water evaporates at the ocean surface, without salt to become rain again. As the salt stays behind would seem that salt only goes one way. But the salt content of the sea has been rather constant for many million years, suggesting that there is also a salt cycle.

It is assumed that salt reacts chemically with rocks and that tectonic processes slowly move those rocks to landmasses again in the subduction zones, where it is again slowly leaching to the surface or it gets airborne again with volcanic eruptions.

 

[ravenprp]

The mystery of why sea water is salty has puzzled scientists for centuries. While it may seem like a simple question, the answer is actually quite complex. There are several factors that contribute to the saltiness of the oceans.

One reason is the constant erosion of rocks and minerals on land. As water flows over these rocks, it picks up small amounts of salt and carries it into the ocean. This process has been happening for millions of years, slowly increasing the salt content of the oceans.

Another factor is the presence of underwater volcanoes. These volcanoes release minerals and gases into the ocean, including sodium and chloride, which are the main components of salt.

Additionally, the Earth's water cycle also plays a role in the saltiness of the oceans. As water evaporates from the surface of the ocean, it leaves the salt behind, resulting in a higher concentration of salt in the remaining water.

It's also important to note that not all bodies of water are equally salty. The Dead Sea, for example, is one of the saltiest bodies of water in the world due to its high evaporation rate and lack of outlets to other bodies of water.

In conclusion, the saltiness of sea water is a result of a combination of natural processes, including erosion, volcanic activity, and the water cycle. While this may not completely solve the mystery, it sheds light on the complex and fascinating nature of our oceans.