Seas

The most saline large water body in the world and the lowest land elevation on Earth. It is shrinking rapidly because the Jordan River, its only significant inflow, is now almost entirely abstracted upstream.

Salinity

approximately 340 g/l — roughly ten times seawater

Surface elevation

over 430 m below sea level and falling

Rate of level fall

Around a metre per year

Principal cause

Diversion of Jordan River inflow and mineral extraction

A nearly enclosed sea where evaporation greatly exceeds river inflow and precipitation, making it saltier than the Atlantic and driving a permanent inflow of Atlantic water through the Strait of Gibraltar.

Surface area

approximately 2.5 million km²

Salinity

approximately 38 PSU, against 35 for open ocean

Water balance

Evaporation exceeds inflow; deficit made up through Gibraltar

The largest brackish water body in the world, and one of the most severely eutrophied. Its restricted exchange with the North Sea means nutrients and oxygen depletion persist for decades.

Surface area

approximately 377,000 km²

Salinity

2–8 PSU — brackish

Water residence time

approximately 30 years

Principal problem

Eutrophication and persistent anoxic bottom water