Sometimes this question is answered: “Dead Sea.” This is the wrong answer. Although this body of water is called a sea, the Dead Sea actually has no drainage and is therefore a lake. And argues for the palm in the competition for the saltiest lakes peace.
And the saltiest thing sea- this is the Red Sea. It is located in a tectonic depression up to 3 km deep between the Arabian Peninsula and the African continent, being an inland sea of the Indian Ocean. The climate here is very hot and arid, therefore, on the one hand, precipitation is very rare (no more than 100 mm per year), and evaporation from the sea surface is strong (2000 mm per year). Not a single river flows into the Red Sea, and the water deficit is replenished from the Gulf of Aden (in the south). As a result, the salt content in 1 liter of Red Sea water reaches 41 g (41‰). For comparison: in the Mediterranean Sea, with which the Red Sea is connected through the Suez Canal, the salt concentration is 25 g/l.
Geographical location of the Red Sea
(physical card)
Due to the fact that no rivers flow into the Red Sea, the water in it is crystal clear and transparent, because the rivers carry silt and sand with them. Thanks to the hot climate off the coast of Egypt and the heating of the sea “from below” by the heat of the planet’s core, the water temperature does not drop below +20°C even in winter, and reaches +27°C in summer. Therefore the animal vegetable world This region is characterized by rare diversity and beauty, making the Red Sea one of the most picturesque places on the planet. The Red Sea is especially attractive due to its extensive coral “gardens”, which can be seen without even sailing far from the shore. Corals make an additional contribution to the process of purifying the crystal clear water of the sea, constantly filtering it. In total, there are more than a thousand species of fish, and about 30% of them are endemic (that is, found only in local waters).
Undersea world red sea
The reason for this phenomenon is the geological processes in the Red Sea region. Many years ago it was connected to the Mediterranean Sea by a narrow canal. Then, as continents formed and moved, this channel closed, and the Red Sea became completely isolated by land from other waters. The inhabitants of the sea, cut off from their relatives, began to adapt to new living conditions. Later, a narrow strait into the Indian Ocean, Bab El Mandeb, was formed in the south of the Red Sea. This is the narrowest and shallowest place in the Red Sea and today remains a barrier to the movement of marine animals from sea to ocean and back.
The water in the Red Sea mixes very well and evenly. in winter surface water cool down, become denser and sink down, and warm waters rise up from the depths. In summer, water evaporates from the surface of the sea, and the remaining water becomes saltier, heavier and sinks. Less salty water rises in its place. Thus, all year round the water in the sea is intensively mixed, and throughout its entire volume (except for the depressions) the sea is the same in temperature and salinity.
Eilat resort on the Red Sea coast (Israel)
In the 60s of the 20th century, depressions with hot brines were discovered in the Red Sea. At the moment, more than 20 such depressions are known. The brine temperature in them is in the range of 30-60°C and increases by 0.3-0.7°C per year. This means that the depressions are heated from below by the internal heat of the Earth. Observers who dived into the depressions on underwater vehicles say that the brines do not merge with the surrounding water, but are clearly distinct from it and look like silty soil covered with ripples, or like swirling fog. Chemical analyzes have shown that the content of many metals in brines, including precious ones, is hundreds and thousands of times higher than in ordinary sea water.
The salinity of the Black Sea is much lower than in the nearby Mediterranean or Red Seas; it is more like a huge fresh lake. High-water rivers flowing into the Black Sea significantly desalinate its water.
The Black Sea is known for the fact that hydrogen sulfide accumulates in it at great depths, so its bottom has not yet been thoroughly studied. And just above the layer of hydrogen sulfide, water accumulates, much saltier than on the surface of the sea.
What factors influence the salinity of the Black Sea?
- The level of salinity in this sea is affected by:
- Located in a temperate and subtropical climate.
- Significant catchment area.
- The flow of fresh water from rivers flowing into this sea.
- Distant location of the Mediterranean and Atlantic.
- The sea is quite deep.
- Lack of sea tides.
River flow into the Black Sea
The salinity of water in the Black Sea is relatively low, because... it receives huge volumes of fresh water. The most big river giving fresh water to the sea is the Danube. Rivers also provide a lot of water:
- Dnieper;
- Kuban;
- Dniester;
- Don et al.
Thanks to these rivers, the water level in the Black Sea is significantly higher than the similar water level in the Atlantic, but lower than average level waters in certain areas of the Mediterranean.
But the water temperature and the percentage of salinity in the Black Sea waters are significantly lower than in the Mediterranean Sea. This is due to the climate and the relatively small influx of fresh water into the Mediterranean.
What is salinity?
The water of any sea contains a huge number of metals, salts, alkalis, etc. Scientists calculate its salinity as a percentage or ppm. A liter of water taken for testing is evaporated, after which the remaining substances are studied and evaluated.
Salinity of the Black Sea in percent
This indicator is calculated based on the content of various substances dissolved in water in grams, and is reflected as a percentage of the total mass. The mass of each precipitated substance is multiplied by 100 grams and divided by 100 percent.
Salinity of the Black Sea in ppm
In ppm, the salinity of the sea is calculated not in hundredths, but in thousandths. For example, from specialized literature we know that the salinity of the Black Sea is 17-18 ppm, the average salinity of the World Ocean is 35 ppm, the Red Sea is 42 ppm, etc.
What is the easiest way to determine the salinity of the sea?
There is a relatively simple way to determine salinity; to conduct such a study at home, you will need dishes that are resistant to high temperatures, a heater and a scale where you can weigh substances in milligrams.
Salinity is the amount of dissolved solid minerals (salts), expressed in grams, in 1 kg of sea water. The thousandth part of a whole is called ppm and is indicated by the symbol %o. For example, if the salinity of ocean water is 35%o, this means that 1 kg (1000 g) of this water contains 35%o (ppm) of dissolved substances.
Salinity is one of the main characteristics sea water; its value expresses the degree of concentration of all substances dissolved in water (mainly salts).
The amount of salinity in a particular area of the World Ocean depends on a number of factors: the influx of fresh water and the amount atmospheric precipitation, the intensity of water evaporation, the formation and melting of ice and water mixing processes.
As seawater evaporates, the salinity of seawater increases as the salts remain in solution. When melting sea ice salinity decreases because sea ice tends to have less salinity than 
salinity of surrounding waters.
When sea ice forms, salinity increases due to the fact that only part of the salts pass into the ice.
What is the salinity of the waters of the World Ocean and its geographical distribution?
Salinity in different places, both on the surface and in the depths of oceans and seas, is not the same. The average salinity of the waters of the World Ocean is 35%. 
In the open parts of the oceans, salinity changes little (from 32 to 37.9% o), in the seas it is much more - from 2 (in the Gulf of Finland Baltic Sea) up to 42%o (in the Red Sea).
The general pattern of changes in salinity across latitudes under the influence of precipitation and evaporation regimes is typical for all oceans: salinity increases in the direction from the poles to the tropics, reaches a maximum value around 20-25° northern and southern latitudes and decreases again in the equatorial zone.
The uniform change in salinity in the surface layers is disrupted by the influence of oceanic and coastal currents and enrichment 
fresh waters large rivers. The highest salinity of the World Ocean (S = 37.9%o, not counting some seas, is west of the Azores.
The salinity of the seas differs the more from the salinity of the ocean, the less the seas communicate with it; it also depends on their geographical location, in particular from climatic conditions. The salinity of the seas is greater than that of the oceans: the Mediterranean - in the west 37-38%0, in the east - 38-39%0;
The salinity of the Red Sea is 37%o in the south, and up to 42%o in the north, in the Persian Gulf in the north the salinity is 40%o, in the eastern part - from 37 to 38%o.
Salinity: in the Sea of Azov in the middle part is from 10 to 12%o, and off the coast - 9.5%o. 
The salinity of water in the Black Sea, in the middle part, is from 10 to 12%o, and in the northwestern part - 17%o, with increasing depth of the sea, the salinity of the water increases to 22%o;
in the Baltic Sea with eastern winds - 10%o, with western and southwestern winds - from 10 to 22%o; in the Gulf of Finland near the island of Kotlin - 2%0; in the White Sea on the border with the Barents Sea it is 34-34.5%o, in Gorlo - 27-30%o, and in the middle part - from 24 to 27%o.
In the Caspian Sea, salinity is 12.8% o and in 
The average salinity of the Aral Sea is 10.3%.
The salinity of the Russian Arctic and Far Eastern seas in areas remote from the coast is 29-30%.
With increasing depth, salinity changes only up to 1500 m, below this horizon and to the bottom - insignificantly and ranges from 34 to 35%.
In the polar regions, when ice melts, salinity increases with depth; when ice forms, the salinity of sea water decreases. 
In temperate latitudes, the salinity of sea water changes little with depth; in the subtropical zone it quickly decreases to a depth of 100 m, in the tropical zone it increases to a depth of 100 m, then decreases to a depth of 500 m, after which it increases slightly to a depth of 1500 m, and below remains unchanged.
What is the significance of the salinity and density of sea water?
As the temperature decreases, the density of salty sea water increases, that is, the sea is saltier in winter than in summer! During autumn and winter cooling, the water on the sea surface becomes denser and heavier. 
With further cooling, surface sea water, being denser and heavier, “sinks” and mixes with warmer and lighter deep water.
This feature of salty sea water helps to moderate the Earth's climate. When cooling 1 cu. see sea water at 19C 3134 cubic meters. see the air heats up by 1 °C.
The salinity of sea water increases vertical circulation in the oceans and seas. The air receives much more heat (thermal energy) from the salty waters of the World Ocean than it would receive if the ocean waters were fresh.
The intensity of freezing of sea water and the development of ice phenomena in the seas and oceans depend on salinity. 
The horizontal and vertical distribution of seawater density promotes horizontal and vertical water circulation.
Knowing the vertical distribution of the density of sea water, it is possible to determine the direction and speed of currents, as well as the stability of a particular water mass: if the mass is unstable, then denser water lies above less dense water, and the waters will mix (vertical circulation). 
The density of sea water is of great importance for ocean inhabitants. The stability of the water composition, which affects the distribution of organic and inorganic matter in the ocean, depends on it.
The density of water affects the draft of ships. When moving from ocean water to fresh water and vice versa, their draft can change up to 0.3 m. Therefore, for proper loading of ships in 
ports and ensuring the safety of navigation, it is necessary to know the value of salinity and density at the port of loading and at the transition to the sea to the port of destination and take them into account correctly.
Since childhood, we know that the water in the ocean is always salty. But which ocean is the saltiest in the world? This is actually a pretty important scientific question. The salinity of the waters of the World Ocean has been studied for a long time. It is now known exactly which ocean on Earth is the saltiest. It is the Atlantic Ocean, or, as it is called, the Atlantic. Let's consider its features.
What size is the Atlantic?
The Atlantic Ocean has an area exceeding 106.5 million square meters. km. The depth of the most salty ocean on Earth exceeds 3,600 meters. The water of the Atlantic Ocean has a salinity of approximately 35%, which is an order of magnitude higher than that of other oceans. Interesting feature there was a uniform distribution of salinity. Moreover, it is the only one of its kind on the planet, which only confirms its title as the saltiest.
What is the explanation for high salinity?
The high salinity of the Atlantic is due to a number of reasons. High salinity is not found everywhere. Where the waters of the North Atlantic Current flow, lower salinity levels are recorded.
The Atlantic even has fresh springs located underground. Moreover, this is one of the mysteries of the natural world, because water rises from the depths of the ocean.
What other salty oceans are there in the world?
The Indian Ocean is the saltiest after the Atlantic. In certain areas he is even capable of breaking the leader's record. The total salinity is 34.8%.
The most salt-rich areas of the Indian Ocean are those that experience the least annual rainfall. In winter, the Indian Ocean becomes less salty due to the monsoon current bringing fresh water. A region forms near the equator where the Indian Ocean exhibits less salinity.
The largest ocean in the world (the Pacific) is also rich in salt. The salt content of its waters exceeds 34%, and tropical regions can show salinities higher than 35.6%. The world's largest ocean also has salinity above 30% in areas where glaciers melt.
The coldest - the Arctic - has a salinity of 32%. Characteristic feature This ocean became lower in salinity in the upper layer. This is due to the desalination of rivers and the melting of ice. The lower layer of the ocean is saltier, and there is a warm and high percent salt content of water. It comes straight from the Greenland Sea. The deep layer of the Arctic has an average level of salinity compared to the third and second layers.
Interesting facts about the Atlantic Ocean
Previously, the Atlantic Ocean had a variety of names. For example, the ancient Greeks spoke of it as “the sea beyond the Pillars of Hercules.” It was also called the "sea of darkness" and the Western Ocean. The saltiest ocean on the planet received its current name only in the 16th century thanks to the cartographer Martin Waldseemüller. This man became famous not only for his description of the Alps, but also for the first map of the geographical world on which latitude and longitude were plotted.
It is difficult to say why this name was given. There are many supporters who believe in the existence of Atlantis - a sunken continent that was once located in the Atlantic Ocean. The main version is based on the myth of the Titan Atlas, who held the sky on his shoulders.
Scientists around the world consider the most important gift of the Atlantic to be its warm Gulf Stream. Thanks to it, it is possible to provide enormous energy production comparable to thousands of nuclear power plants. The high salinity of the Atlantic Ocean did not negative factor, the flora and fauna here is no less rich than Pacific Ocean.
Which sea is the saltiest in the world
One might think that since the Atlantic Ocean is the most saturated with salt on the planet, then it is in it that one should look for the most salty sea. However, it is not.
Many believe that the Dead Sea is considered the richest sea in the world. However, in fact, this title is assigned to the Red Sea, which is located in the Indian Ocean. Its salinity level exceeds 40%. Moreover, the reason for this level of salt content was the large volume of evaporating water. There is little sediment in the area adjacent to the saltiest sea in the world, so there is really a lot of salt in it. Also, no rivers flow into the Red Sea, but what a rich world of flora and fauna it has. The second place is occupied by the Mediterranean Sea, which has a salinity of about 39%. As in the previous case, the reason lies in the evaporation of moisture. The general list of the saltiest seas in the world is as follows:
- Red;
- Mediterranean;
- Black;
- Azovskoe.
Near the Black Sea, salinity reaches 18%. On the surface lies a layer enriched with oxygen. The depth is very salty and dense, containing virtually no oxygen. The Azov Sea has an indicator of 11%, the northern part is the least saturated with salt, so with the onset of cold weather it easily freezes. Feature Sea of Azov There was an extremely uneven distribution of salt.
What is the saltiest lake in the world?
So we have come to the Dead Sea, which is actually a lake, since it has no access to the World Ocean.
The salinity of the Dead Sea exceeds 300%. There is a medical resort next to it, but there is no living life as such in the saltiest lake in the world. Note that the Dead Sea is considered the most popular among the most salt-rich lakes, but there are others:
- Assal;
- Baskunchak;
- Elton;
- Don Juan;
- Great Salt Lake.
Lake Tuz, for example, is located in Turkey. Large mines are located here, where a significant part of the country's salt reserves is mined. Lake Assal, which is located in Africa, has a salinity level exceeding 300%, as does the Dead Sea. In Russia there is Lake Baskunchak, the salinity of which reaches 300%. Raw materials important for the food industry are also actively mined here. Lake Elton with the beautiful name is also located in Russia, and its salinity is about 500%, but the average is only 300%. It is considered the largest salt lake in Europe. The presence of a high concentration of salt ensures that the lakes do not freeze. However, such indicators are destructive for flora and fauna, so the saltiest lakes on the planet simply have no inhabitants. The Great Salt Lake of the United States of America was no exception. Thus, we can determine that not only the Dead Sea claims its title, scientists regularly argue about replacing it on this pedestal with Lake Don Juan, which is located in Antarctica. Its salinity index exceeds 350%. A reasonable question may arise, which lake is the least saline? It was Russian Baikal, with an indicator of 0.001%. Thanks to this and its purity, Baikal became famous as a lake with crystal clear water.
Meaning of the Atlantic Ocean
What is the significance of the world's saltiest ocean? The Atlantic Ocean is an example of maximum development economic activity. Shipping, oil and gas production, fisheries, biological resources. Many transoceanic routes, passenger transport and large ports located on the coasts are striking examples of economic development.
The value of the Atlantic Ocean to the world stems from its enormous mineral resource base. Most of it, scientists believe, has already been explored. Simultaneously Northern and Caribbean Sea, The Bay of Biscay attracts traders seeking to develop new oil and gas fields. The Atlantic is incredibly important for countries such as Mexico, England, Norway. Its biological potential is very great. For a long period, the ocean was used for the extraction of commercial fish, which led to the depletion of biological resources.
What problems does the Atlantic Ocean have?
The Atlantic is part of the World Ocean, so its problems can affect the whole world. The waters of the Atlantic have been polluted by humans for a long time. Oil, plastic waste that does not decompose even after decades, constant fishing, a detrimental effect on the ecosystem as a whole. All this has had a detrimental effect on the Atlantic, which is under serious threat.
The invention of the harpoon cannon led to the mass extermination of whales; there are now regular debates about the renewal of the moratorium for countries around the world, but the International Whaling Commission actively opposes this, giving relief only to Denmark, Japan and Iceland.
The worst disaster for the Atlantic was the explosion and collapse of the Deepwater Horizon oil platform. Approximately 5 million barrels of oil spread across the Atlantic, polluting over a thousand miles of coastline. This case shocked the whole world and led to massive lawsuits from fishermen who lost important work. The proceedings lasted a very long time, and some legal disputes have not yet been resolved. Meanwhile, the disaster killed more than 6,800 animals, including sea turtles, dolphins, and other mammals.
The Atlantic has its own large garbage patch, similar to the Pacific. It consists of plastic, is in the waters Sargasso Sea. The situation with radioactive contamination is even more complicated. The Atlantic accepted tons of waste from nuclear power plants, and a number of research centers dumped radioactive waste into rivers and coastal waters. The depths of the Atlantic conceal so many dangerous chemicals that it is impossible to count them all. The result of economic activity was the pollution of several seas, including the Irish, Mediterranean, Northern and others. At the end of the last millennium, Atlantic waters received more than 5,000 tons radioactive waste. Over 30 years, the United States has buried more than 14 thousand containers containing radioactive elements, which led to a high level of infection. The sunken ship, which contained about 70 tons of sarin, was also “buried” at the bottom of the Atlantic. Germany dropped 2,500 barrels containing industrial waste. Soviet Union 2 nuclear submarines were sunk.
The Atlantic is of particular importance to human economic activity and has many threatened ecosystems. The ocean needs to be carefully managed and conserved with the participation of all countries that use its resources.
In our country the most salty sea counts Barencevo sea. The surface layers of this sea show a salinity of 34.7% to 35%.
White Sea also has a high percentage of 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 - at the mouths of rivers, for example, the water can be almost 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 of this sea is 36-40%. High salinity Mediterranean Sea limits the development of zoo and phytoplankton. However, high salinity does not interfere with fauna, of which there is plenty in this sea.
Legends and scientific facts about the salinity of the seas
Therefore, the saltiest sea on Earth is considered Red sea, which has a salinity index of 41%. Not only does the Red Sea have extremely high salinity, but the salinity level is also very evenly distributed.
