Why+is+the+ocean+salty,+where+does+all+that+salt+come+from?


 * __WHY IS THE OCEAN SALTY, WHERE DOES ALL THAT SALT COME FROM?__**

Answer the question below, append new answers to the top of this page. _ __Response 1:__ The ocean is a large body of water that contains 97% of our water and takes up 71% of the Earth’s surface. The pacific ocean is the largest ocean as it takes up approximately one third of the Earth’s surface. The temperature of the ocean can range from -2ºC to 30ºC.
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Our ocean contains 3.5% salts. These salts come from rock that has dissolved and eroded into a body of water. Other factors that contribute to salinity are volcanoes and underwater hot springs. One way that the salinity is brought down is the fresh water at the mouth of a river. If more precipitation is present then, there will be less salty waters than if there was more evaporation present. There are many mineral deposits in the ocean that all factor into the salinity and come from the bottom of the ocean. For example, on the deep sea floor, hot water vents deposit copper, iron, and zinc. Ways to mine for these are still developing.

Terms: Salinity: The amount of salt in a solution

Bibliography: Why is the Ocean Salty? By Herbert Swenson US Geological Survey Publication 2011 __[]__

September 8, 2011 Contact Info: Howard Perlman __[]__

Richardson, Philip L. "Ocean." //World Book Student.// World Book, 2011. Web. 21 Nov. 2011. http://www.worldbookonline.com/student/article?id=ar398740&st=salinity&sc=-1&hl=1#stw Richardson, Philip L. "Ocean." //World Book Advanced//. World Book, 2012. Web. 10 Feb. 2012.

By Jenna Foley

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