Science Common Sense

1550 - What affects the salinity of the surface water of the ocean?

There are a few main things that affect the salinity, or saltiness, of the surface water of the ocean:

1. Rain and freshwater input: When it rains or freshwater from rivers flows into the ocean, it dilutes the saltwater, making it less salty.
2. Evaporation: When seawater evaporates into the air, it leaves the salt behind, making the remaining water more salty.
3. Ice formation and melting: When seawater freezes into ice, the salt doesn't get trapped in the ice, so the remaining water becomes more salty. When ice melts, it adds freshwater to the ocean, making it less salty.

These processes can happen in different amounts and in different places, which affects the salinity of the surface water in that area.