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Why is seawater salty?

The salt content in seawater comes from minerals eroded from the waters and organic material decomposed from sea creatures.

However, high salinity or saltiness of seawater can have a negative and detrimental impact on the environment and humans. The four disadvantages of salinization are:

1. Ecosystem damage

High salinity can damage marine ecosystems. Apart from that, salinity can also disrupt the biological balance and threaten the survival of various species such as fish and coral.

2. Water pollution

High saltwater levels can be caused by waste and hazardous chemicals dumped into the sea. Apart from worsening the condition of the marine environment, the disposal of waste and hazardous chemicals can also affect health if fish or seafood is exposed to salt from waste and chemicals consumed by humans.

3. Disruption to the fishing and tourism industry

Salinity can affect fish health and reduce fishermen's catches. As an important industry for the economy, this can have a major impact on the income and livelihoods of fishermen as well as the tourism industry which depends on the natural beauty of the sea.

4. Difficulty accessing fresh water

Salty sea water is difficult to drink or use for daily living needs such as bathing and washing. High levels of salinity can reduce the availability of fresh water for people living around sea waters.

Although seawater is salty, it plays an important role in the Earth's ecosystem. The salt in seawater affects the temperature, density and circulation of the ocean which in turn also affects the climate.

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