The typical range of salinity in the open ocean is 33 to 37 parts per thousand (ppt).
Salinity, which refers to the amount of dissolved salts in water, is expressed as parts per thousand (ppt), representing the number of grams of salt per liter of water. While the average salinity of seawater is approximately 35 ppt, the salinity in the open ocean is not uniform and varies within a certain range.
| Salinity Range | Unit |
|---|---|
| 33-37 | ppt |
According to our reference, seawater typically contains about 35 grams of dissolved salts in each liter of water (35 ppt). However, this can fluctuate between 33 and 37 ppt in the open ocean due to various factors, such as:
- Evaporation: Higher rates of evaporation in warm, sunny regions increase salinity.
- Precipitation: Rainfall and snowmelt dilute seawater, decreasing salinity.
- River runoff: Freshwater from rivers entering the ocean reduces salinity in coastal areas.
- Ice formation and melting: Freezing concentrates salt in the remaining water, while melting dilutes it.
Therefore, while the average salinity in the open ocean is around 35 ppt, it's important to understand that the range between 33 and 37 ppt is more typical and represents the natural variability found in the global ocean.
