Why is ocean water salty?

[blender]

I've asked a few people and knowbody knows. I figure you people would have the answer.

 

[madd catt]

Due to leaching of mineral content from rocks and things like that.

 

[bigeyedfish]

So thats where my lost shaker of salt went.
I dont like Buffett but i couldnt resist.

 

[twoods71]

I agree with mad catt.
The mineral content of the eroding rocks is washed into the ocean via rivers and streams.

 

[bammbamm74]

I also think that the bed of the ocean, or parts of it, is made of salts.

 

[kris walker]

Baron, if that is true, then why do salt lakes exist throughout the world (e.g. Mono Lake, Great Salt Lake). These are lakes where all the streams carrying mostly fresh water drain into. The reason they are salty is because the rivers carry a tiny bit of salts, groundwater brings up salts, but most importantly, the evaporation rate where the lake is higher than the freshwater input rate, so the lake stays salty.
I agree, there are lots of salts coming from water circulation through the oceanic crust (black smokers being an example of this circulation). And maybe you are right, and that the oceans are different than the lakes. It is a rate question I guess.
kris

 

[twoods71]

Here is a link that pretty much states that all of the above comments are correct with the exception of the salt shaker.
Its kind of a long read but some very interesting information.
<a href="http://www.palomar.edu/oceanography/salty_ocean.htm" target="_blank">Sea water info</a>