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How do deep waters in the Sea of Okhotsk differ from surface waters in temperature and salinity?
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In the Sea of Okhotsk, there is a distinct contrast between surface and deep waters regarding temperature and salinity:
- Temperature: During the summer months, surface waters are warmed to temperatures ranging from 46 to 54 °F (8 to 12 °C). In contrast, deeper waters remain significantly colder, with an average temperature between 29 and 30 °F (−1.8 to −1 °C).1
- Salinity: Surface water salinity typically drops to 32.5 parts per thousand or lower during the summer due to factors like continental drainage and precipitation. Deeper waters exhibit higher salinity levels, reaching up to 34 parts per thousand.1
These variations are influenced by the sea's complex hydrology, which includes freshwater input from rivers, seasonal ice formation, and the exchange of water with the Pacific Ocean and the Sea of Japan.1