Salinity
Salinity
Salinity (/səˈlɪnɪti/) is the measure of all the salts dissolved in water. Salinity is usually measured in parts per thousand (ppt or ‰).
Etymology
The term "salinity" comes from the Latin word "salinitas", derived from "sal" which means salt.
Definition
Salinity is the concentration of dissolved salts in water, usually expressed in parts per thousand by weight. It is a critical factor in determining many aspects of the chemistry of natural waters and of biological processes within it, and is a thermodynamic state variable that, along with temperature and pressure, governs physical characteristics like the density and heat capacity of the water.
Measurement
Salinity can be measured using a Salinometer, a device that measures the salt content in a liquid. The salinity is usually reported in parts per thousand (ppt), which is a measure of the number of grams of salt per 1000 grams of water.
Factors affecting salinity
Several factors can affect the salinity of a body of water. These include the water's proximity to the ocean, the climate of the area, and the presence of saltwater intrusion.
Related terms
- Brackish water: Water that has more salinity than fresh water, but not as much as seawater.
- Halophyte: A plant that grows in waters of high salinity, coming into contact with saline water through its roots or by salt spray, such as in deserts or coastal salt marshes.
- Hyposalinity: The condition of having lower salinity than normal sea water.
- Hypersalinity: The condition of having higher salinity than normal sea water.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Salinity
- Wikipedia's article - Salinity
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