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· 06 Dec 2021

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why is dead sea so salty?

Introduction
The Dead Sea is more than 1,300 feet below sea level, making it the lowest spot of dry ground on the planet. It is a saline lake that is entirely isolated. Tourists come from all around the globe to bathe in this one-of-a-kind body of water, which is bounded on the west by Israel and on the eastern by Jordan.

The Dead Sea, which is bordered by Israel and Jordan, is known as the saltiest sea in the world, with a salinity of over 34%, making it around ten times saltier than the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. Although there are a few lakes and bays with greater salinity levels, the Dead Sea is the lowest high saline lake — and undoubtedly the most well-known. But what causes the Dead Sea to be so salty? And how does such hypersalinity influence the surrounding ecosystem?

The Dead Sea salt content is produced from land rocks eroded by precipitation. All rainfall contains acids formed when carbon dioxide reacts with water, resulting in a weak carbonic acid solution. These acids gradually dissolve the rocks over time, releasing charged particles known as ions that eventually make their way to the Dead Sea, oceans, and other bodies of saline water via runoff.

Sodium and chloride are the most frequent ions formed by rainwater, accounting for around 90% of the ion content of the seas; when they reach the ocean, their charges attract each other. What occurs when sodium (Na) and chloride (Cl) come together? NaCl — great, old salts! – is one of the most prevalent compounds available.

How Much Salt Does Dead Sea Contain?
A single cubic mile of ocean water contains around 120 million pounds of salt, as per the Federal Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA). To put it another way, if all the salt in the world's seas were taken and placed on land, it would produce a layer around 500 feet (150 metres) tall, about same elevation as a 40-story structure.

That's just for the seas. Of course, the Sea salt content is far higher. The higher the salt level, the deeper you go into the Dead Sea. Salt gets so concentrated at approximately 300 feet (100 metres) below the surface that it begins to precipitate or form crystals that fall to the sea bottom. That's where the salty comes from, but how does it end up in the Dead Sea?

Is there life in the Dead Sea?
With such a high salt concentration, it's hardly unexpected that there's no plant life on the coasts, and the sea itself is devoid of fish and other "typical" marine life. In reality, the Dead Sea's shoreline resemble a lunar environment, with salt residues and structures that sparkle in the light.

Despite its desolate aspect, the Dead Sea holds some delights. In 2011, scientists went further into the Dead Sea than they had ever gone before, discovering a succession of freshwater springs surrounded by flourishing colonies of microscopic bacteria. The Dunaliella algae, which is internationally famous for its health advantages, is perhaps one of the most known creatures that can happily thrive in such a harsh environment. Although Dunaliella algae is not a medication, it contains high levels of beta-carotene, vital minerals, and antioxidants. There is also a lot of "life" on the Dead Sea's top.

Bottom Line- a visit to the Dead Sea
Spring and October are good periods to visit Israel and its beaches, including the Dead Sea, because temperatures range from 60 to 80 degrees. Israel likewise has stringent requirements for its beaches. Visitors visiting the Israel side of the Dead Sea, on the other hand, should schedule their excursions around Easter in the spring and the High Holy Days in the fall, when lodgings are limited and expensive.

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