Additionally, the ocean floor contains volcanic vents that release hot, mineral-rich water into the ocean. These vents are also responsible for adding new minerals to the seawater.
The most abundant minerals dissolved in seawater are sodium chloride (NaCl), magnesium chloride (MgCl2), sulfate (S04), calcium (Ca), and potassium (K). These minerals give seawater its characteristic saltiness and contribute to its unique properties, such as its high density and surface tension.
The concentration of dissolved minerals in seawater varies from region to region. The open ocean has an average salinity of about 35 parts per thousand (ppt), which means that for every kilogram of seawater, there are 35 grams of dissolved salts. However, some areas of the ocean, such as the Red Sea and the Persian Gulf, have salinity levels as high as 40 ppt or more, while other areas, such as the Baltic Sea and the Arctic Ocean, have salinity levels as low as 10 ppt or less.
