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What is sea osmolarity?

Published in Ocean Osmolarity 1 min read

Sea osmolarity refers to the concentration of dissolved solutes in seawater. The average osmolarity of the ocean is significantly higher than that of most vertebrate intercellular fluids.

According to the provided reference, the average osmolarity of the ocean is approximately 1000 mosmol/kg. This is much higher than the osmolarity of around 300 mosmol/kg found in the intercellular fluids of most vertebrates.

Here's a quick comparison:

Fluid Type Osmolarity (mosmol/kg)
Average Ocean Water 1000
Vertebrate Intercellular Fluid 300

This difference in osmolarity has significant implications for marine life, as organisms must regulate their internal osmotic balance to survive in such a saline environment.

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