Salinity refers to the amount of dissolved salts in water. Since salts conduct electricity, electro conductivity is used to measure the concentration of dissolved salts. Salinity influences the ecology of a water-body and determines what biological processes occur. It also effects the density and heat capacity of water.
Excess salinity in water can be toxic to life, making the water unsuitable for human consumption or irrigation. It occurs as a result of overuse of water, evaporation and through pollution from road-de-icers and mining, oil, or gas extraction wastewater. Dissolved salts in water include sodium chloride, potassium nitrate, sodium bicarbonate and magnesium sulfate. Natural salinity levels in freshwater vary considerably. Seawater contains about 35g per kilogram of salt and the saltiest body of water in the world, the Dead Sea, has a salt content of 200 g per kilogram.
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