How does salt get into the sea?

Question

Ive allways wanted to know this lol. My stupid science teacher doesnt even know why

Answer 1

Scientific theories behind the origins of sea salt started with Sir Edmond Halley in 1715, who proposed that salt and other minerals were carried into the sea by rivers, having been leached out of the ground by rainfall runoff. Upon reaching the ocean, these salts would be retained and concentrated as the process of evaporation removed the water. Halley noted that of the small number of lakes in the world without ocean outlets most have high salt content. Halley termed this process "continental weathering".

Halley's theory is partly correct. In addition, sodium was leached out of the ocean floor when the oceans first formed. The presence of the other dominant ion of salt, chloride, results from "outgassing" of chloride (as hydrochloric acid) with other gases from Earth's interior via volcanos and hydrothermal vents. The sodium and chloride ions subsequently became the most abundant constituents of sea salt.

Ocean salinity has been stable for billions of years, most likely as a consequence of a chemical/tectonic system which removes as much salt as is deposited; for instance, sodium and chloride sinks include evaporite deposits, pore water burial, and reactions with seafloor basalts. Since the ocean's creation, sodium is no longer leached out of the ocean floor, but instead is captured in sedimentary layers covering the bed of the ocean. One theory is that plate tectonics result in salt being forced under the continental land masses, where it is again slowly leached to the surface.

Answer 2

Salt doesnt just get into the sea. Salt also comes from the sea. Minerals are released from cracks in the ocean floor. (Imagine all those volcanic activities and other events that are taking place right now under the oceans) These minerals get dissolved in the water and made the sea salty.

Answer 3

It is neither God nor whales.

Salt comes from the mountains and rivers that flow into the sea - water falls on mountains, flows down streams, and into rivers. All the while, this water is picking up particulates from the riverbanks and riverbeds - one of those things it picks up is salt.

The water flows into the sea, and adds to the salt that's already there.

The water is then evaporated by the sun and becomes clouds which float over the land and drop rainwater.

To answer you as-yet-unasked question: Yes, this does mean that the seas are slowly getting saltier.

Answer 4

When rainwater runs across the soil and the rocks, the water dissolves tiny bits of the minerals and carries the salt out into the rivers and into the sea.

Answer 5

God made the sea and salt; we are made of salt water..[and dirt]
someday we will know more... be patient...all things come to he who waits [and stays busy]

Answer 6

i once heard it was the sperm from whales!!
haha. but i dont think thats right!
=]