suolaisvedet

Suolaisvedet is a Finnish term used to describe bodies of water whose salinity exceeds that of freshwater. The category includes seawater as well as inland saline environments that show higher salinity, such as coastal brackish zones and saline lakes. In scientific usage, salinity is commonly expressed in practical salinity units (PSU) or as grams of dissolved salts per kilogram of water (g/kg). Freshwater is typically defined as having a salinity below about 0.5 PSU; suolaisvedet generally span roughly 0.5–40 PSU, with typical seawater near 35 PSU and hypersaline waters exceeding about 40 PSU.

Ecology: Salinity strongly influences which organisms can inhabit a water body. Most freshwater species are intolerant of substantial salinity, while many marine organisms require stable saline conditions. Transitional zones, such as estuaries and coastal lagoons, display salinity gradients and host both freshwater and marine species. Some species are euryhaline, capable of tolerating a wide range of salinity.

Formation and distribution: Saline waters occur naturally in oceans and seas worldwide, in coastal and tidal environments, and in inland settings where evaporation concentrates salts, such as saline lakes and saline groundwater. Human activities can alter salinity through irrigation, drainage, groundwater pumping, or seawater intrusion into aquifers and estuarine systems.

Uses and management: Saline waters underpin fisheries, shipping, and coastal economies. They are also sources for desalination, salt production, and mineral extraction. Monitoring salinity is essential for ecosystem health, water quality, and the management of coastal and estuarine environments, particularly in regions affected by climate change and human development.