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Salinity history of the Earth's early ocean

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  • L. Paul Knauth

    (Arizona State University)

Abstract

It is commonly thought that the oceans are becoming saltier with time as sodium and chlorine are weathered out of continental rocks and transported to the sea. Here we argue that the salinity of the early ocean was 1.5 to 2 times the modern value, and that it did not decline significantly until surprisingly late in the Earth's history. If correct, this theory could help explain why the evolution of higher life took so long.

Suggested Citation

  • L. Paul Knauth, 1998. "Salinity history of the Earth's early ocean," Nature, Nature, vol. 395(6702), pages 554-555, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:nature:v:395:y:1998:i:6702:d:10.1038_26879
    DOI: 10.1038/26879
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