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    Question ID:   11161         Current Version: 1
Question: What is saline water?
Category: Science > Earth Sciences
Keywords: salt, saline water
Type: what
Rating:(0 ratings)    Views: 261    Discussions: 0   In Watch Lists: 1  

 
    Answer:
Water that is saline contains significant amounts (referred to as "concentrations") of dissolved salts. In this case, the concentration is the amount (by weight) of salt in water, as expressed in "parts per million" (ppm). If water has a concentration of 10,000 ppm of dissolved salts, then one percent (10,000 divided by 1,000,000) of the weight of the water comes from dissolved salts.

Here are our parameters for saline water:

  • Fresh water - Less than 1,000 ppm
  • Slightly saline water - From 1,000 ppm to 3,000 ppm
  • Moderatly saline water - From 3,000 ppm to 10,000 ppm
  • Highly saline water - From 10,000 ppm to 35,000 ppm

By the way, ocean water contains about 35,000 ppm of salt.

So, with all of the water available on Earth how come we are worried about water shortages? In a way, it comes down to water-quality considerations rather than water-quantity problems. Slightly saline water is sometimes used for similar purposes as freshwater. For example, in Colorado, water having up to 2,500 ppm of salt is used for irrigating crops. Normally, though, moderate to high saline water has limited uses. After all, you don't drink salt water at home; you don't use it to water your tomatoes or brush your teeth; farmers don't usually irrigate with it; some industries can't use it without damaging their equipment; and, farmer Joe's cows won't usually drink it. So, is saline water good for anything?

There are two answers -- both "yes." Saline water is useful for some water-use purposes, and saline water can be turned into freshwater, for which we have many uses.

Source: USGS
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