Precipitation
is highest in Doldrums (north of equator) and temperate regions
Evaporation
is highest in subtropics
E – P
mirrors latitudinal distribution of salinity
Profiles of
salinity
Salinity
shows surface maximum at low and mid latitudes but surface minimum at high
latitudes (related to evaporation/precipitation balance, see above!)
Salinity
in the deep sea is fairly homogeneous
Note depression
in surface salinity in the tropics due to high rainfall
Vertical
region of strong salinity gradien with depth (i.e. strongest change of
salinity over a certain depth range) = halocline