Why is Ocean water salty? - Knudge Factory

Reason for salt water in oceans:

Several natural processes make the ocean water salty. When it rains, the water droplets reacts with carbon dioxide in the air and form carbonic acid( H20+ CO2 = H2CO3). Thus, the rain water is slightly acidic. This acidic rain water reacts with minerals present in the rocks and forms new minerals and salts. These minerals and salts are then carried by flowing water to the oceans. Thus, making the ocean water salty. In addition to this, as we go deep into the ocean, in the mid ocean ridges, the magma rises close to the oceanic crust. Here, when the salty ocean water gets hot due to the magma. This hot water dissolves the minerals present in the crust and carries them to the ocean through fissures called hydrothermal vents. Thus, making the ocean water salty.

Hydrothermal vent in pacific ocean

A Schematic diagram of hydrothermal vent