Which of the following water bodies typically has the highest salinity (dissolved salts)?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: D
Explanation
The correct answer is option 4 i.e. Ocean.
- The ocean typically has the highest salinity because it contains a large amount of dissolved salts, primarily sodium chloride (NaCl).
- The average salinity of ocean water is about 35 parts per thousand (ppt), meaning there are 35 grams of dissolved salts per liter of seawater.
Other Options:
- Rivers and ponds contain freshwater with very low salinity (usually less than 0.5 ppt).
- Lakes can vary—some freshwater lakes have low salinity, while salt lakes (like the Dead Sea) can be very saline, but typically, the average lake has lower salinity than oceans.