Explain how salinity and temperature affect water density and how the salinity of the oceans can be both increased and decreased.

Salinity and temperature affect water density

Explanation:

Salinity and temperature affect water density as the temperature increases the ocean water becomes less denser, on decreasing the temperature the ocean water becomes more denser. We can see it as less dense water (For ex. ice) floats on more dense water. Taking two layers of water with the same salinity, the hotter water will float on top of the colder water. Temperature has a greater effect on the density of water than the salinity.

Salinity of the oceans can be increased in following ways:

Evaporation of ocean water Formation of sea ice

Salinity of the oceans can be decreased in following ways:

Precipitation of rain and snow Melting of ice