1. The ocean salinity depends on evaporation and precipitation
2. Any change in the temperature or density influences the salinity
3. Major source of sea salinity is terrestrial discharge by rivers
Which of the statements given above are correct?
Understanding Sea Salinity Factors
This question asks to identify the correct statements regarding the factors influencing sea salinity.
Statement Analysis
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Statement 1: The ocean salinity depends on evaporation and precipitation
Evaporation removes pure water, leaving salts behind and increasing salinity. Precipitation adds freshwater, diluting the ocean and decreasing salinity. Thus, this statement is correct. -
Statement 2: Any change in the temperature or density influences the salinity
Higher temperatures increase evaporation rates, directly impacting salinity. Ocean density is a function of both temperature and salinity; changes in temperature affect density, and salinity is a key component determining density. Therefore, changes in temperature and density are intrinsically linked to and influence salinity. This statement is correct. -
Statement 3: Major source of sea salinity is terrestrial discharge by rivers
Rivers carry dissolved minerals and salts from land to the sea. However, the primary sources contributing to the ocean's salt content over geological time are generally considered to be volcanic activity, hydrothermal vents, and the weathering of continental rocks. Rivers are primarily a transport mechanism for salts originating from rock weathering rather than the ultimate major source themselves. This statement is incorrect.
Conclusion
Based on the analysis, statements 1 and 2 accurately describe factors influencing sea salinity.
Therefore, the correct option includes only statements 1 and 2.
Important Questions from Oceanography
- What does the term 'halocline' refer to in oceanography?
Match List I with List II.
List – I List – II A. Albatross Plateau I. North Atlantic Ocean Ocean B. Telegraph Plateau II. North-West Pacific Ocean C. Amsterdam–St Paul Plateau III. South-East Pacific D. Kuril–Kamchatka Trench IV. Indian Ocean Arrange the following five zones of the pelagic region of an ocean in the increasing order of its depth from the surface.
1. Mesopelagic
2. Epipelagic
3. Abyssopelagic
4. Bathypelagic
5. Hadopelagic
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:- What is the correct sequence of the given geographic feature from South to North?
If a place is affected by Tide at 6:00 AM Monday, normally at what time the same place will be affected by Ebb?
