E.6. Horizontal And Vertical Distribution Of Salinity
- The salinity of a normal open sea – is between 33 to 37.
- In estuaries and the Arctic sea, it fluctuates between 0 to 35.
- In the hot and dry regions where the evaporation of water is high, it may reach 70.
- In landlocked countries such as the Red sea, it is recorded 41 due to higher evaporation.
- In the Indian Ocean the average salinity –
- Salinity at the surface decreases by freshwater input or increases by loss of water to evaporation and Ice.
- Salinity in the depth is very much fixed as there is no water added or lost.
- Salinity generally increases with an increase in depth.
- There is a distinct zone called Halocline, in this zone, there is a sharp increase in salinity.