Evaporation: The Gulf of Mexico is located in a subtropical climate, which means that it experiences high temperatures and high rates of evaporation. When water evaporates, it leaves behind the salts that were dissolved in it. This process of evaporation concentrates the salt content of the water in the Gulf of Mexico.
Limited freshwater input: The Gulf of Mexico does not receive a significant amount of freshwater input from rivers and streams. This is because the Gulf is surrounded by land on three sides and has a limited exchange of water with the rest of the ocean. The lack of freshwater input prevents the salt content of the water in the Gulf of Mexico from being diluted.
Ocean currents: The Gulf of Mexico is influenced by several ocean currents that bring warm, salty water into the region. These currents include the Loop Current, which is a warm ocean current that flows from the Caribbean Sea into the Gulf of Mexico. The Loop Current transports warm, salty water from the Caribbean Sea into the Gulf of Mexico, which increases the salt content of the water in the Gulf.
As a result of these factors, the water in the Gulf of Mexico is saltier than in other parts of the ocean. The average salinity of the Gulf of Mexico is around 36 parts per thousand (ppt), compared to the average salinity of the ocean as a whole, which is around 35 ppt.