The global average salt level in surface seawater is about 35 grams per 1,000 grams of water. Salinity can increase to over 37 ppt due to evaporation.
Evaporation is the primary cause of higher salinity levels, especially in sunlit areas where rainfall is scarce, leading to concentrations of saltier water.
In contrast, areas where fresh water enters the oceans, like rivers or melting ice, result in lower salinity, particularly toward the poles and coastal zones.
Regions near major deserts typically feature salinity maxima due to intense evaporation driven by the heat and wind, highlighting the interplay between climate and ocean salinity.
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