Oceanography

Latitudinal variation of surface salin

Latitudinal variation of surface salinity

Surface salinity value attains a primary maximum in the northern hemisphere between 20 and 25°N, a minimum just north of the equator at 5°N and a secondary maximum in the southern hemisphere between 20 and 25°S. From these sub-tropical maxima, the salinity value decreases rapidly towards higher latitudes in both the hemispheres. The highest surface salinity values in the oceans are found approximately in the regions of Tropic of Cancer and Tropic of Capricon, which are at a distance of about 2,400km north and south of the equator, respectively. Similar trend of latitudinal variation of surface salinity is noticed for Atlantic and pacific Oceans.