Book 18, Question 13
Why Is Old Sea Ice Less Salty than the Ocean It Came From?
Old sea ice is less salty than the ocean it came from because the salt slowly drains out of it! Over time, the ice becomes much fresher. Let's follow the salt.
More fun facts
- As sea ice ages, salty brine drains out of it.
- Water from young sea ice may have about 10 parts per thousand of salt.
- In old ice, that can drop to just 1 to 3 parts per thousand.
- Ice that survives a summer melt season becomes multiyear ice.
- Sea ice covers about 7 percent of the world ocean.
Sources: NOAA, NOAA, NASA Science
Questions kids ask
Is old sea ice salty?
Much less than seawater, because the brine drains out.