Specific Gravity: The measure of the density of something compared to the density of water. A specific gravity of greater than 1 is heavier than water, less than 1 is lighter than water.
Salinity: The saltiness or the amount of salt dissolved in a body of water like lakes, streams and oceans.
PPT: The abbreviation for Parts Per Thousand and is used to tell how much salt is dissolved in water (salinity). If there is 1 gram of salt in 1,000 grams of water, the salinity is 1 PPT.
Conductivity: The ability of a material to allow electricity to move through it. Since salt can conduct electricity, higher salinity has higher conductivity.
Salt Pans: A natural depression in the ground, where water gathers and then evaporates, leaving salt behind.
Fun Facts
Your blood is only ¼ as salty as the ocean!
The Don Juan Pond in Antarctica is the saltiest body of water in the world. It has more than 40% salinity and never freezes, even though the water temperature can be -22 degrees F!
