Why is The Mediterranean Sea So Salty?

FACTS about the Mediterranean Sea:

The Mediterranean Sea is part of the Atlantic Ocean. It is almost completely enclosed by land by the European, African and Asian Continents. As a result of being landlocked, the tides are very small which helps to give it it´s typical deep blue colour.

It´s total area is approximately 2.5million km squared however it´s connection to the Atlantic at the Strait of Gibraltar is only 14km wide. The Mediterranean Sea has an average depth of 1,500 metres (4,920 ft) and the deepest recorded point is 5,267 meters.

The word Mediterranean derives from the Latin mediterraneus, which means "in the middle of earth" due to it´s position being surrounded by land (especially in comparison to the Atlantic Ocean). In the past, the Mediterranean was a hugely importand route for traders and travellers between the surrounding countries. It provided fish and work for many people and it has had a major influence on the history and ways of life of these cultures by providing a method of trade, colonization and war.

The Mediterranean Sea is connected to the Atlantic Ocean by the Strait of Gibraltar and to the Sea of Marmara and the Black Sea by the Dardanelles and the Bosporus. The Sea of Marmara is often considered a part of the Mediterranean Sea, whereas the Black Sea is generally not. The 163 km long man-made Suez Canal in the southeast connects the Mediterranean Sea to the Red Sea. The climate is typically hot with dry summers and mild, rainy winters which help to produce crops such as olives, grapes, oranges, tangerines and cork.

How does that increase salinity?

Water evaporation greatly exceeds water runoff and precipitaion in the Mediterranean. The Eastern mediterranean is mostly affected by this increased evaporation which results in lower water levels and thus a higher level of salinity. The cooler, less salty Atlantic water is pushed eastward where it warms up, evaporates and becomes more salty.

Since the opening of the Suez Canal between the generally saltier Red Sea and the Mediterranean we have seen a gradual equalization and increase in salinity in The Med and migration of Red Sea species into Mediterranean water. These invasive species have an advantage in the saltier conditions and coupled with the increased sea pollution have raise many concerns marine biologists.