If the world’s oceans were devoid of salt water, it would have both positive and negative consequences. While it would benefit humanity, it would also have devastating effects on marine life, as well as significantly impact global temperature and weather patterns, making life on Earth incredibly complex.
What if we didn’t have to worry about the global consumption of water? What if we could take unlimited showers? What if being stranded in the middle of the ocean wouldn’t lead to death by thirst? What if going to the beach was the same as going to a well?
(Photo Credit: Pixabay)
A world without salt water would certainly be advantageous for humanity, but at what cost?
The Main Question
Firstly, why are seas and oceans salty?
In the beginning, they weren’t always like that. Approximately 3.8 billion years ago, when the Earth’s surface had cooled down enough for water vapor to turn into liquid, the water was pure and untainted.
Yes, a very long time ago, all the water on Earth was freshwater!
However, this didn’t last for long… the universe always has its way. Soon after the planet cooled, climatic cycles began. When it rained, carbon dioxide from the atmosphere mixed with the water, making it slightly acidic. As the rain fell, it caused erosion of rocks. The rainwater then flowed into nearby rivers and streams, carrying dissolved salt and minerals. Eventually, these runoffs made their way into larger bodies of water – the seas and oceans.
Salinating of the ocean waters (Photo Credit: Booyabazooka/Wikimedia Commons)
In addition to this, more salt and minerals were released from hydrothermal vents and underwater volcanoes. This process has been ongoing for over 3.8 billion years! So, as you can imagine, there is a vast amount of salt present in the oceans.
In fact, if all the salt from the oceans were spread across the Earth’s landmass, it would create a towering layer 40 stories high!
It’s no wonder that 97% of the world’s water is saline…
Freshwater Oceans: Beneficial or Harmful?
Considering the current rate of water consumption, the demand for freshwater is doubling every 20 years globally. This means that by 2025, one-third of the world population will be deprived of freshwater. With such statistics, the concept of freshwater oceans seems less like a privilege and more like a desperate necessity.
However, a salt-free ocean would have devastating effects on marine life and heavily impact global temperature and weather patterns, making life on Earth incredibly complex.
Marine life
The ocean is home to approximately 230,000 known marine species, with an estimated 2 million more yet to be discovered. If the ocean became desalinated, we would likely never have the opportunity to uncover these new forms of life.
The most affected marine organisms would be plankton and phytoplankton, which are the foundation of all marine life. Saltwater fish have adapted to the salty conditions by drinking saltwater and eliminating excess salt. Some fish, like salmon, can tolerate both fresh and saltwater, but they are a rare species. If the saltwater disappears, all saltwater species would die on a large scale.
Plant Life
Marine plant life would also be impacted. Underwater algae contribute to almost half of the photosynthesis on Earth!
Algae covering the surface of a pond (Photo Credit: Felix Andrews/Wikimedia Commons)
Photosynthesis is essential for providing food and oxygen to our planet. It converts carbon dioxide into the oxygen we breathe. Without algae, we would have less oxygen and more carbon dioxide in the atmosphere!
With reduced photosynthesis and unpredictable climate conditions, our world would no longer be able to support diverse plant life. The food chain would collapse, and most species, including humans, would not survive for long.
World Weather
The greenhouse effect would intensify, leading to unbearable heat in some parts of the world.
This would be particularly noticeable at the Equator because ocean currents would no longer circulate warm water and air as they currently do.
Convection currents transport warm water from the Equator to the north, while colder water from the north cools down the southern regions. In the Equatorial region, warmer water carries more salt, causing denser water to sink while cooler water flows above. In the far north, the water cools and freezes, leaving salt behind and making the northern waters denser. This allows warmer waters from the south to flow in.
Tropical cyclone Catarina, 2004. (Photo Credit: Pixabay)
Without salt, this complex process breaks down. Hurricanes would become more frequent and more dangerous. Our weather and climate would be drastically different from what we experience now. Unfortunately, humans would not survive long enough to witness the full impact of these global weather changes. They would either freeze in the poles or overheat at the Equator, die in natural disasters, or starve due to the absence of plant and marine life.
An artist’s depiction of ‘A world without vegetation’ (Photo Credit: Pixabay)
Summary
It’s ironic to think about it… all we want is a world without a water crisis, where there is an abundance of freshwater like grains of sand. However, now that you understand the potential consequences of a shift towards saltwater, you may not be so eager to wish for the end of saltwater.
The availability of fresh water compared to the size of the Earth
Nature maintains a delicate balance between all living and non-living things. Any mismatch or accident can lead to the dangers of imbalance. It would be beneficial for humanity to prioritize and use their resources and intelligence to conserve and protect the limited amount of fresh and drinkable water we have remaining.