Scientist explains seawater's sweetness

Indore, Aug 22: The so-called freshwater accumulation on the seacoast in Mumbai and Gujarat was no miracle but a normal phenomenon, according to the city-based MRS College of Professional Studies Director Ram S Shrivastava.

''Heavy rain, low tide, water from overflowing rivers normally accumulates till it is finally mixed to gain salinity,'' said Dr Shrivastava while adding that the effect of temperature on water density also manifests itself.

The coastal zone is not only exposed to the same freshwater balance -- precipitation and evaporation -- as the deep ocean but also receives freshwater that collects from rain over land. This river run-off can have a substantial impact on ocean density on the shelf and create its own circulation.

UNI