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Discover Why Seawater Is Salty, How Salts Reached The Oceans, And How Salinity Remains Balanced
Have you ever wondered why the oceans are salty, while rivers and lakes have fresh water? The question seems obvious, but the answer requires going back in time to understand how the planet has transformed over billions of years.
The Path of Salt to The Seas
When the Earth was still forming, the rain falling on the continents dissolved minerals from the rocks.
These minerals, especially sodium and chlorine, were carried by rivers to the oceans. It was a slow, but continuous process that caused the seas to accumulate salts throughout history.
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In addition to rain, submerged volcanoes and hydrothermal vents continue to pour minerals into the seabed today.
Therefore, the oceans receive salts in two main ways: through transportation by continental waters and through direct release from the Earth’s interior.
Why Don’t Rivers Become Salty?
The big question is to understand why rivers do not become salty, even though they also carry minerals. The explanation lies in the constant renewal.
The fresh water flowing in rivers is always replenished by rain, which dilutes the small concentrations of dissolved salts.
In the oceans, the opposite happens. Water evaporates with the sun’s heat, but the salt remains. Thus, the minerals accumulate, making seawater increasingly salty.
How The Oceans Maintain Balance
Even receiving salts continuously, the seas do not become increasingly salty without limits. This happens because some of the minerals eventually settle to the bottom as sediments.
Another part is used by marine organisms in their vital processes.
This cycle creates a natural balance. Because of it, the salinity of the oceans remains stable over time.
On average, seawater contains 3.5% dissolved salts, which is equivalent to approximately 35 grams per liter.
A Curiosity That Spans Centuries
Therefore, the salty taste of seawater is the result of millions of years of interactions between rain, rocks, volcanoes, and living organisms.
An explanation that shows how the planet functions in constant balance, even in the face of such complex processes.
With information from Xataka.
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