Sea surface salinity, 2012 global map C016 / 3796
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Sea surface salinity, 2012 global map C016 / 3796
Sea surface salinity, 20 January 2012 global map. The salinity (salt content) of the sea surface, used in climate models, depends on sea surface temperature and evaporation, winds, and fresh water from rivers, rain, and melting ice. The key at lower left gives the colour range in PSU (practical salinity units, equivalent to parts per thousand) from 30 (blue) to 35 (green) to 40 (red). Average salinity is 35 PSU, with the normal range from 33 to 37 PSU. The Atlantic Ocean (far right) and Mediterranean Sea (upper left) are highly saline. The Pacific (centre) and Indian (centre left) oceans are less saline. This data was acquired by the Aquarius instrument on the joint Argentine-NASA SAC-D satellite
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© NASA/GSFC-SVS/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY
2012 Aquarius Argentine Atlantic Ocean Climate Change Climatological Climatology Colour Coded Earth Science Earth Sciences Environmental Science Experiment From Space Global Global Warming Indian Ocean Measurement Measurements Mediterranean Sea Microwave Nasa Oceanographic Oceanography Pacific Ocean Physical Geography Planetary Properties Property Radiometer Saline Salinity Salt Water Saltwater Salty Satellite Satellite Image Scale Surface Units World Worldwide Melting Ice River Water
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This print showcases the intricate patterns of sea surface salinity across the globe in 2012. The image, captured by the Aquarius instrument on the joint Argentine-NASA SAC-D satellite, provides valuable data used in climate models to understand our planet's complex oceanic systems. The color-coded key at the lower left corner reveals a range of practical salinity units (PSU), from blue representing 30 PSU to green indicating 35 PSU and red symbolizing 40 PSU. With an average salinity of 35 PSU, variations between 33 and 37 PSU are considered normal. Notably, this global map highlights distinct differences in salt content among various bodies of water. The Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea exhibit high levels of salinity, while the Pacific and Indian Oceans display relatively lower levels. As scientists strive to comprehend climate change and its impact on our environment, understanding sea surface salinity is crucial. This measurement depends on multiple factors such as sea surface temperature, evaporation rates, wind patterns, freshwater influx from rivers and rainwater, as well as melting ice. Through this stunning visual representation provided by NASA/GSFC-SVS/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY's satellite image technology, we gain insight into one aspect of Earth's vast oceans – their varying degrees of saltiness – contributing to ongoing research efforts aimed at comprehending our planet's ever-changing climatological conditions.
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