There are about 80 seas all over our planet. All of them enter the waters of the oceans. As everyone knows, with school bench, the seas are salty, but they all differ in the saturation of different compounds. Below is a ranking of the saltiest seas on Earth.
The White Sea, the salinity of which is ‰.
One of the smallest seas on the planet, it is also one of the saltiest. It covers only 90,000 square kilometers. The water in it warms up in summer to 15 degrees above zero, and in winter it drops to 1 degree Celsius. About 50 species of fish live in the White Sea.
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Chukchi Sea with a salinity of 33‰.
AT winter period the salinity of this sea rises to 33‰, while in the summer the salinity slightly decreases. The Chukchi Sea has an area of 589.6 thousand square kilometers. The average temperature in the warm season is 12 degrees Celsius, in the cold - almost 2 degrees Celsius.
The area of this sea is 662 thousand square kilometers. It is located between the New Siberian Islands and Severnaya Zemlya. The average annual water temperature is 0 degrees Celsius.
The Barents Sea has a salinity of 35‰.
The Barents Sea is the saltiest of all located on the territory Russian Federation. It is adjacent to, but almost 16 times larger than it in area. The waters are full different types fish due to the fact that the water temperature in summer is about 12 degrees Celsius. And this attracts a lot of marine organisms, which, in turn, lure predatory fish.
The Sea of Japan, with a salinity of 35‰, is ranked 6th in our rating.
This sea is located between the continent of Eurasia and the Japanese islands. Also, its waters wash the island of Sakhalin. The Sea of Japan is considered one of the saltiest seas in the world. The water temperature varies depending on geographical location: in the north - 0 - +12 degrees, in the south - 17-26 degrees Celsius. The area of the Sea of Japan is more than 1 million square kilometers.
The Ionian Sea exceeds the salinity of our previous record holder by 3‰.
This is the most dense and salty Greek sea. Its waters allow poor swimmers to hone this skill, as high density will help keep the body afloat. AT summer period the water warms up to 26 degrees above zero. The area of the Ionian Sea is 169 thousand square kilometers.
Aegean Sea with a salinity of 38.5‰.
This sea takes 4th place in our rating. Its waters with a high concentration of sodium can irritate the human skin. Therefore, after swimming in it, you should take a fresh shower. In summer, the water warms up to 24 degrees Celsius. Its waters wash the coast of the Balkan Peninsula, Asia Minor and the island of Crete. The Aegean Sea, more than 20 thousand years old, has an area of 179 thousand square kilometers.
The Mediterranean Sea has a salinity of 39.5‰.
The Red Sea with a salinity of 42‰.
It is located between the coasts of Africa and Asia. All year round warm waters provide favorable conditions for many fish and other marine organisms. The Red Sea, in addition to salinity and warmth, boasts. Many tourists love to relax on its shore.
The Dead Sea has a record salinity of 270‰.
Israel has the most salty on our planet. Its salinity of 270‰ makes it the densest on Earth. Saturation with minerals helps people to treat all sorts of ailments, but you should not be in the water for too long - this can adversely affect skin covering person.
Mikhail Ilyin
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The main feature that distinguishes water oceans from the waters of the land, is their high salinity. The number of grams of substances dissolved in 1 liter of water is called salinity.
Sea water is a solution of 44 chemical elements, but salts play a primary role in it. Salt gives the water a salty taste, and magnesium - bitter. Salinity is expressed in ppm (%o). This is a thousandth of a number. per liter ocean water dissolved on average 35 grams various substances, so the salinity will be 35%.
The amount of salts dissolved in will be approximately 49.2 10 tons. In order to visualize how large this mass is, we can make the following comparison. If all sea salt dry spread over the surface of the entire land, then it will be covered with a layer 150 m thick.
The salinity of the ocean waters is not the same everywhere. Salinity is influenced by the following processes:
- evaporation of water. In this process, salts with water do not evaporate;
- ice formation;
- fallout, lowering salinity;
- . The salinity of the ocean waters near the continents is much less than in the center of the ocean, since the waters desalinate it;
- melting ice.
Processes such as evaporation and ice formation contribute to an increase in salinity, while precipitation, river runoff, and melting ice lower it. main role salinity is affected by evaporation and precipitation. Therefore, the salinity of the surface layers of the ocean, as well as temperature, depends on latitude-related.
Red and Dead Sea
The most saline seas in the world's oceans are two seas: the Red and the Dead. At the same time, the Dead Sea as such is difficult to consider. It's more like a lake than a sea. Therefore, they are put alternately in 1st and 2nd places when answering the question about the most salty sea on the planet.
The World Ocean is a single integral natural body, which occupies 2/3 of the entire area of the globe. Sea water, of which it is composed, is the most common substance on the surface of the Earth. It differs from fresh water in a bitter-salty taste, specific gravity, transparency and color, a more aggressive effect on Construction Materials and other properties. This is due to the content in sea water over 50 different components.
Theoretically, all known chemical elements, but their weight content is different.
Of the total amount of dissolved substances, 99.6% are sodium, potassium, magnesium halide salts and magnesium and calcium sulfates, and only 0.4% of the salt composition is accounted for by other substances. It can be seen from the table that only 13 elements of the "Mendeleev's table" are contained in an amount of more than 0.1 mg / l. Even such important elements for many processes in the ocean (especially for the life of marine organisms) as phosphorus, iodine, iron, together with calcium, sulfur, carbon and some others, are contained in amounts less than 0.1 mg/l. In sea water, in the form of living matter and in the form of dissolved "inert" organic substances, there are also organic matter, totaling about 2 mg/l.
| Chlorine | 19500 |
| Carbon | 20 |
| Sulfur | 910 |
| Strontium | 13 |
| Sodium | 10833 |
| Bor | 4,5 |
| Potassium | 390 |
| Silicon | 0,5 |
| Magnesium | 1311 |
| Fluorine | 1 |
| Calcium | 412 |
| Rubidium | 0,2 |
| Bromine | 65 |
| Nitrogen | 0,1 |
What determines the salinity of the sea?
The salt composition of sea water differs sharply from the salt composition of river water, but is close to the waters released during volcanic eruptions, or hot springs powered by deep bowels Earth. River water also contains dissolved substances, the amount of which depends very much on physical and geographical conditions.
How more value evaporation, the greater the salinity of sea water, since salt remains during evaporation. For salinity change big influence exerted by oceanic and coastal currents, the removal of fresh water major rivers, mixing the waters of the oceans and seas. In depth, salinity fluctuations occur only up to 1500 m; below, salinity changes slightly.
The large-scale features of salinity distribution in the World Ocean have good stability. Not noticed in the last 50 years significant changes in the salt state of the World Ocean, and it is generally accepted that its state is on average stationary.
Composition and features of the Red Sea
Red sea. 1 liter of its water contains 41 g of salts. On average, no more than 100 mm of atmospheric precipitation falls over the sea per year, while the amount of evaporation from its surface reaches 2000 mm per year. At total absence river flow, this creates a permanent deficit water balance the sea, for the replenishment of which there is only one source - the flow of water from the Gulf of Aden. Approximately 1,000 cubic meters of gas is brought into the sea through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait during the year. km of water is more than is taken out of it. At the same time, according to calculations, only 15 years are needed for the complete exchange of the waters of the Red Sea.
In the Red Sea, the water is very well and evenly mixed. in winter surface water cool down, become denser and sink down, and warm waters rise up from the depth. In summer, water evaporates from the surface of the sea, and the remaining water becomes saltier, heavier and sinks. In her place rises less salty water. Thus, throughout the year, the water in the sea is intensively mixed, and throughout its volume the sea is the same in temperature and salinity, except in the depressions.
The discovery of hot brine troughs in the Red Sea was real scientific discovery 60s of the twentieth century. To date, more than 20 such depressions have been discovered in the deepest regions. The brine temperature is in the range of 30-60°C and rises by 0.3-0.7°C per year. This means that the cavities are heated from below internal warmth Earth. Observers who dived into the depressions on underwater vehicles said that the brines do not merge with the surrounding water, but are clearly distinguished from it and look like muddy ground covered with ripples, or like swirling fog. Chemical analyzes showed that the content in brines of many metals, including precious ones, is hundreds and thousands of times higher than in ordinary sea water.
The absence of coastal runoff (or, more simply, rivers and rain streams), and hence the dirt from the land, ensures the fabulous transparency of the water. The water temperature is stable all year round - 20-25°C. All these factors have contributed to the richness and uniqueness of marine life in the Red Sea.
Facts about the Dead Sea
The Dead Sea located in Western Asia on the territory of Israel and Jordan. It is located in a tectonic depression formed as a result of the so-called Afro-Asiatic fault, which occurred in an era somewhere between the end of the Tertiary and the beginning of the Quaternary, that is, more than 2 million years ago.
The area of the Dead Sea is 1050 sq. m, depth 356 meters. The only Jordan River flows into it, but it is also fed by numerous mineral springs. The sea has no exit, it is drainless, therefore it is more correct to call it a lake.
The surface of the Dead Sea is 400 meters below the level of the oceans (the most low point globe). In its current shape, the Dead Sea has existed for more than 5,000 years, during which time a sedimentary silt layer more than 100 meters thick has accumulated on its bottom.
For many years, under the hot rays of the sun, the water of the Dead Sea evaporated, and minerals accumulated, increasing the salinity of the sea. These conditions largely determine the unique composition of the water and mud of the Dead Sea.
Salinity of the Dead Sea
According to the composition of salts, the Dead Sea differs sharply from all other seas of the planet. The salinity of the Dead Sea is 8 times higher than the salinity of Atlantic Ocean and 40 times Baltic Sea. While in the waters of other seas the content of sodium chloride is 77% of the total salt composition, in the waters of the Dead Sea its share is 25-30%, and magnesium salts account for up to 50%, the content of bromine is record: 80 times higher, than in the Atlantic Ocean.
high salinity waters of the dead the sea explains it greater density, which is 1.3-1.4 g/cm3. The increase in the density of water with depth, apparently, creates the effect of pushing when immersed in water. In the water of the Dead Sea high content trace elements such as: copper, zinc, cobalt and others. The features of the Dead Sea water include a high pH value of 9.
The fact that the water in the sea is salty - everyone knows firsthand. But most people will most likely find it difficult to answer the question of which sea is the most salty on the planet. However, it is unlikely that a person thought about why the sea is salty and whether there is life in the saltiest sea in the world.
The oceans are one natural organism. On the planet, they occupy two-thirds of all earthly space. Well, sea water, which fills the world's oceans, is considered the most common substance on the surface of the Earth. It has a bitter-salty taste; sea water differs from fresh water in transparency and color, specific gravity and aggressive effect on materials. And this is explained simply - in sea water there are more than 50 different components.
The most salty seas in the world
Which seas are more salty, which are less - scientists know for sure. The liquid in the seas has already been studied and literally decomposed into components. And it turned out that the salty seas in Russia occupy the most high lines in the salinity rating. So, the main contender for the status of the most salty is the Barents Sea. This is because during the year the salinity of the surface layers fluctuates around 34.7-35 percent, however, if you deviate to the north and east, the percentage will decrease. 
The White Sea is also characterized by high salinity. In the surface layers, the indicator stopped at 26 percent, but at depth it rises to 31 percent. In the Kara Sea, the salinity is about 34 percent, however, it is not uniform, and at the mouths of the inflowing rivers, the water becomes almost fresh. Another of the most salty seas in the world can be called the Laptev Sea. At the surface, salinity is fixed at 28 percent. The figure is even higher - 31-33 percent - in the Chukchi Sea. But this is in winter, in summer the salinity drops.
Which sea is saltier
By the way, everyone's favorite Mediterranean Sea can also compete for the status of the saltiest in the world. Salinity in it ranges from 36 to 39.5 percent. In particular, because of this, a weak quantitative development of phyto and zooplankton is noted in the sea. However, despite this, the sea lives a large number of fauna representatives. Here you can meet seals, sea turtles, 550 species of fish, about 70 endemic fish, crayfish, as well as octopuses, crabs, lobsters, squids. 
Certainly not saltier than the Mediterranean is another famous sea - the Caspian Sea. The Caspian boasts a rich wildlife - 1809 species. Lives in the sea most of world reserves of sturgeons, as well as freshwater fish (pike-perch, carp and vobla). Vegetable world is also very rich - there are 728 species of plants in the Caspian Sea, but, of course, algae predominate. An interesting fact is that in Karakalpakstan there is a unique natural object- Aral Sea. And him distinguishing feature in that it can be called the second Dead Sea. Half a century ago, the Aral Sea had a standard salinity. However, as soon as water was taken from the sea for irrigation, salinity began to rise, and by 2010 it had increased 10 times. The Dead Sea is called not only in terms of salinity, but also due to the fact that many inhabitants Aral Sea died out as a protest against rising salinity.
Why are the seas salty
Why the seas are salty - this question has been of interest to people since ancient times. For example, according to Norwegian legend at the bottom of the seas there is an unusual mill that constantly grinds salt. Similar stories exist in the tales of the inhabitants of Japan, the Philippines and Karelia. But according to Crimean legend The Black Sea is salty due to the fact that the girls who fell into the net of Neptune are forced to weave white lace for the waves at the bottom for centuries and constantly cry about native land. Tears made the water salty. 
But on scientific hypothesis, salt water has become the other way. All water in the seas and oceans is taken from rivers. However, in the latter flows fresh water. And on average, 35 grams of salts are dissolved in one liter of the World Ocean. According to scientists, every grain of salt is washed away river waters from the soil and sent to the sea. Over the centuries and millennia, more and more salt has been washed into the oceans. And she can't go anywhere.
There is a version that the water in the oceans and seas was originally salty. The first reservoir on the planet, allegedly filled with acid rain, which fell to the ground as a result major eruption volcanoes at the beginning of the planet's life. Acids, according to scientists, corroded rocks, entered into with them chemical compounds. Eventually chemical reactions salt water appeared, which now fills the oceans.
The most salty sea in the world
The most salty sea in the world is called the Red Sea. One liter of its water contains 41 grams of salts. The sea has only one source of water - the Gulf of Aden. In a year, through the Bab-El Mandeb Strait, the Red Sea receives a thousand cubic kilometers of water more than it is taken out of the sea. Therefore, according to researchers, it takes about 15 years for the waters of the Red Sea to be completely renewed. 
The salty Red Sea is very well and evenly mixed. In winter, surface waters cool down, sink down, raising warm waters from sea depth. In summer, water evaporates from the surface, the remaining becomes salty and heavy, and therefore sinks down. Not so salty water rises up. Thus, the water is mixed. The sea is the same in salinity and temperature everywhere, except for the depressions.
By the way, the discovery of depressions in the Red Sea with hot brine in the 60s of the last century was a real discovery for scientists. The brine in such depressions has a temperature of 30 to 60 degrees Celsius, and it rises by a maximum of 0.7 degrees per year. It turns out that the water is heated from the inside by "earthly" heat. And scientists say that the brine does not mix with sea water and differs from it in chemical parameters.
In the Red Sea, there is no coastal runoff (rivers and rain streams). As a result, there is no dirt from the land, but there is crystal clear water. All year round the temperature is kept at the level of 20-25 degrees. This led to the wealth, as well as the uniqueness of marine life in the sea.
Why is the Red Sea the saltiest? Some say that the most salty is the Dead Sea. Its salinity is 40 times higher than the salinity of the Baltic Sea and 8 times higher than the Atlantic Ocean. However, it is impossible to call the Dead Sea the most salty, but it is considered the warmest.
The Dead Sea is located on the territory of Jordan and Israel in Western Asia. Its area is more than 605 square kilometers with maximum depth 306 meters. The only river that flows into this famous sea is the Jordan. There is no exit from the sea, therefore, according to science, it is more correct to call it a lake.
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In our country, the most salty sea is considered Barents Sea. The surface layers of this sea show salinity from 34.7% to 35%.
White Sea also has high percent salinity: 31% at depth and 26% at the surface.
Kara Sea characterized by high salinity up to 34%. However, in the Kara Sea it is extremely scattered, and in some areas - in the mouths of rivers, for example, the water can be practically fresh.
Chukchi Sea and Laptev sea have a salinity index of 33 and 28 percent, respectively.
Mediterranean Sea is one of the saltiest in the world. The salinity index of this sea is 36-40%. high salinity mediterranean sea limits the development of zoo and phytoplankton. However, high salinity does not interfere with representatives of the fauna, which are quite enough in this sea.
Legends and scientific facts about the salinity of the seas
Therefore, the most salty sea on Earth is considered Red sea, which has a salinity index of 41%. The Red Sea not only has extremely high salinity, but also the salinity level is very evenly distributed.
