Why is some water salty ?

Well you need to know something about the
Water Cycle
to understand this.

As the water runs off the land it takes minerals from the soil and rocks.

These are called

SALTS.

These salts go into the sea. Salts also get into the sea from underwater volcanoes.

This is what makes the sea salty.

Take a look at the 'Water in your area part of

The Anglian Water website.

Thanks to Anglian Water for such an excellent resource. We hope they don't mind that we've pulled a screen grab or two?

70% of the world is covered by water.
Many people argue the world should be called

'The Water'

rather than

'The Earth'

97% of all the water on the planet is salt water.

Only 1% is fresh water.

All life on earth depends on water.

 

You may have of heard a famous poem called

'The Rhyme of the Ancient Mariner.'

There's a famous couplet that explains the problem of so much salt water.

'Water, water, everywhere,
Nor any drop to drink.

Whereas people can survive for three weeks and longer without food. People can only last a week without water. It is vital for our survival.

As the population of the planet increases, water may well be something people will fight over in the future.