Salinity

From WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia

(Redirected from Salinities)

Salinity is the measure of all the salts dissolved in water. Salinity is usually measured in parts per thousand (ppt or ‰). The average ocean water salinity is about 35 ppt which means that there are 35 grams of dissolved salts in 1 kilogram of water.

Overview[edit | edit source]

Salinity is an important factor in determining many aspects of the chemistry of natural waters and of biological processes within it, and is a thermodynamic state variable that, along with temperature and pressure, governs physical characteristics like the density and heat capacity of the water.

Measurement[edit | edit source]

Salinity can be measured using a salinometer, a device that measures the salinity of a solution through an electrochemical process. The salinity is then read out in Practical Salinity Units (PSU), which are a standard for measuring the concentration of dissolved salts in water.

Effects on Aquatic Life[edit | edit source]

Salinity levels can affect the survival of aquatic organisms. Most fish and other aquatic species can only tolerate a certain range of salinity. Changes in salinity levels can create stressful conditions for aquatic life and can even be lethal.

Salinity in Different Water Bodies[edit | edit source]

The salinity of water bodies can vary greatly. For example, the Dead Sea has a salinity of about 34%, which is about ten times saltier than normal sea water. On the other hand, freshwater bodies like lakes and rivers have a very low salinity, usually less than 0.5%.

See Also[edit | edit source]

Salinity Resources
Wikipedia
WikiMD
Navigation: Wellness - Encyclopedia - Health topics - Disease Index‏‎ - Drugs - World Directory - Gray's Anatomy - Keto diet - Recipes

Search WikiMD

Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD

WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia

Let Food Be Thy Medicine
Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates

Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.

Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD