Question

Which sea has the highest salinity in the world?
a)Mediterrenean sea
b)Dead sea
c)Caribbean sea
d)Black sea

Answer 1

Hint: Seas are water bodies where usually land meets oceans. However some seas like Caspian sea are completely landlocked.

Complete answer: Salinity refers to concentration of salt in seawater. Salinity depends on factors like temperature ,evaporation and precipitation. Salinity as measured is parts per thousand (ppt) i.e amount of salt dissolved per hundred grams of water.

Let us look at the options given to us.
Option A-The Mediterrrenean sea is between Southern Europe and North Africa. The sea has a salinity of 38ppt. The Mediterrenean sea is more less uniformly saline
Option B-The Dead sea is bordered by Jordan , Israel and the West Bank. This sea has a salinity of 337ppt.
Option C-Caribbean sea is bound by Greater Anitlles at the north, Lesser Antilles at the east, northern South America south and Mexico to the west. It has a salinity of less than 35ppt.
Option D-Black Sea is in Eurasia and thus lies between East Europe and Turkey. As many large rivers like Danube, Dnieper and Don flow into the Black sea it has a low salinity. It has an average salinity of 15-18ppt.
Therefore the correct option is Dead Sea option (C ). The water at the dead sea is five to nine times saltier than normal water. The Dead sea begins at the tip of the Sinai Peninsula and has a very low elevation. Apart from being in a semi arid region, the Jordan river is the only freshwater source that feeds the sea and this is another reason why the sea has so much salt. The Jordan river joins the sea, but since there are no outlets it gets collected and evaporates quickly in the heat leaving the salts behind.

Thus the correct answer is option (C) .

Note: Chilika Lake is the largest salt water lake in India and spreads over the districts of Puri, Ganjam and Khurda in Odisha. Sambhar Lake in Rajasthan is the largest water lake in India. Situated in Rajasthan , it is an ephemeral salt lake .