salinitate

Salinitate is the property of a solution that describes its salt content. In environmental science, it refers to the concentration of dissolved salts in water or soil. The most abundant ions are sodium and chloride, but magnesium, calcium, sulfate, potassium, and others contribute to the overall salinitate. The term salinitate is related to salinity and is often encountered in Latin or historical texts.

Salinitate is usually expressed in practical salinity units (PSU), derived from electrical conductivity, or in parts per thousand (ppt). In freshwater, values typically fall below 0.5–1 PSU; seawater generally ranges from about 33 to 37 PSU (roughly 33–37 ppt). For laboratory work, salinity can also be reported as total dissolved solids (TDS) or as grams of dissolved salts per kilogram of solution.

Natural patterns of salinitate reflect balances among evaporation, precipitation, river inflow, and ocean currents. Evaporation concentrates salts and raises salinity, while fresh water input dilutes it. Oceanic salinity varies with latitude and depth: high in subtropics, lower near polar regions and in estuaries. Local conditions, such as freshwater discharge and mixing, create gradients.

In soils, salinitas is used to describe salt buildup that can reduce crop water uptake and productivity. Irrigation practices, drainage, and climate change influence soil salinity, with implications for agriculture and ecosystem health. Desalination and water-management strategies aim to control salinitate in drinking water and irrigation.

Salinitate affects water density and circulation, habitat distribution, and the performance of desalination technologies. It is routinely monitored in oceans, lakes, and soils to inform climate research, fisheries, and resource management.