Using salinity to predict rainfall

Asked by: Cindy Rogers

How does rainfall affect salinity?

Where more rain or snow falls over the ocean, it dilutes the salts in the seawater there. As a result, the water becomes fresher with time. If seawater becomes saltier, it may mean that rates of evaporation have increased or that precipitation has decreased over time.

What is the relationship between salinity and precipitation?

There is a very large water cycle over the ocean, with 90% of the evaporating moisture raining back down on the ocean itself. The remaining 10% of the water that is transportedon to land sustains terrestrial life and human society.

Does rainfall increase salinity?

“Evaporation takes freshwater from the ocean into the atmosphere and increases the ocean salinity; precipitation puts freshwater into the ocean and reduces its salinity.

What is the relationship between rainfall salinity and time of year?

Surface salinity decreases in the presence of precipitation (fresh water supply), so it is a good indicator of variability in the hydrological cycle. During the rainy season, the salinity at the level of the first five meter will dry out when the rain falls.

What happens when water salinity increases?

The density of water increases as the salinity increases. The density of seawater (salinity greater than 24.7) increases as temperature decreases at all temperatures above the freezing point.

How does salinity affect density?

Salinity Affects Density



When salt is dissolved in fresh water, the density of the water increases because the mass of the water increases.

Why is water salinity important?

It is a strong contributor to conductivity and helps determine many aspects of the chemistry of natural waters and the biological processes within them. Salinity, along with temperature and pressure, helps govern physical characteristics of water such as density and heat capacity.

When it rains over the ocean is it salt water?

Rain replenishes freshwater in rivers and streams, so they don’t taste salty. However, the water in the ocean collects all of the salt and minerals from all of the rivers that flow into it.

How does salinity affect the water cycle?

Saltier water is heavier and will sink deeper in the ocean, where it joins currents that circulate water around the globe. These currents—such as the Gulf Stream, from the Florida coast to northern Europe—affect how the ocean transports heat, which, in turn, influences rainfall patterns.

How do you measure salinity?

Water and soil salinity are measured by passing an electric current between the two electrodes of a salinity meter in a sample of soil or water. The electrical conductivity or EC of a soil or water sample is influenced by the concentration and composition of dissolved salts.

Does salinity increase with temperature?

With increasing temperature, salinity decreases….and conversely, with decreasing temperature, salinity increases.

Which ocean has highest salinity?

Of the five ocean basins, the Atlantic Ocean is the saltiest. On average, there is a distinct decrease of salinity near the equator and at both poles, although for different reasons.

What is a good salinity level?

If measuring PPT or parts per thousand, it should fall in the range of 34-36. (35 PPT is the same as 1.026 specific gravity.) If salinity is low, add additional salt and mix until completely dissolved.

What factors affect salinity?

Factors that Control Salinity

• Evaporation.
• Precipitation.
• The Influx of River Water.
• Atmospheric Pressure and Wind Direction.
• Circulation of Oceanic Water.

What are the two types of salinity?

There are 2 main types of salinity: primary—naturally occurring salinity. secondary—resulting from human activities.

What factors affect salinity?

Factors that Control Salinity

• Evaporation.
• Precipitation.
• The Influx of River Water.
• Atmospheric Pressure and Wind Direction.
• Circulation of Oceanic Water.

What affects the salinity of water?

Evaporation of ocean water and formation of sea ice both increase the salinity of the ocean. However these “salinity raising” factors are continually counterbalanced by processes that decrease salinity such as the continuous input of fresh water from rivers, precipitation of rain and snow, and melting of ice.

How does runoff affect salinity?

As runoff increases, the tidal effect of the open sea reduces, and bottom salinity decreases.

What factors affect salinity please explain?

The salinity of water in the surface layer of oceans depend mainly on evaporation and precipitation. Surface salinity is greatly influenced in coastal regions by the freshwater flow from rivers, and in polar regions by the processes of freezing and thawing of ice.

Why is water salinity important?

It is a strong contributor to conductivity and helps determine many aspects of the chemistry of natural waters and the biological processes within them. Salinity, along with temperature and pressure, helps govern physical characteristics of water such as density and heat capacity.

Does cold water have higher salinity?

The water just below the sea ice is saltier and more dense than the water below. Because it is more dense, it sinks. The water that sinks is replaced by surface water that comes from areas closer to the equator where it is warmer.