Consider the following pairs regarding salinity trends in different seas: 1. Baltic Sea : Low salinity due to river influx 2. Mediterranean Sea : High salinity due to high evaporation 3. Black Sea : Very low salinity due to fresh water influx 4. Bay of Bengal : High salinity due to low fresh water influx How many of the above pairs are correctly matched?

The correct Answer is Only three pairs Explanation Ocean salinity is a measure of the salt content in water, primarily influenced by evaporation, precipitation, river runoff, and ocean currents. Variations in these factors lead to distinct salinity patterns in different seas and oceans. Statement-wise Analysis 1. Baltic Sea: Low salinity due to river influx Correct. The Baltic Sea is characterized by low salinity. This is primarily due to a large influx of fresh water from numerous rivers draining into it and limited exchange with the highly saline North Sea. 2. Mediterranean Sea: High salinity due to high evaporation Correct. The Mediterranean Sea exhibits high salinity. This is attributed to high rates of evaporation in its warm climate and limited freshwater input from rivers, leading to a concentration of salts. 3. Black Sea: Very low salinity due to fresh water influx Correct. The Black Sea has significantly lower salinity compared to oceanic waters. This is due to a substantial inflow of fresh water from major rivers like the Danube, Dnieper, and Don, coupled with restricted exchange with the more saline Mediterranean Sea. 4. Bay of Bengal: High salinity due to low fresh water influx Incorrect. The Bay of Bengal generally exhibits lower salinity compared to the Arabian Sea. This is primarily due to a large influx of fresh water from major rivers such as the Ganga, Brahmaputra, Mahanadi, Godavari, Krishna, and Kaveri. The statement incorrectly attributes high salinity to low freshwater influx. Key Takeaway Salinity in enclosed or semi-enclosed seas is primarily determined by the balance between freshwater input (from rivers and precipitation) and water loss through evaporation.

NCERT Class 11 Geography — Chapter 1: Water (Oceans)

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Consider the following pairs regarding salinity trends in different seas:

Baltic Sea : Low salinity due to river influx
Mediterranean Sea : High salinity due to high evaporation
Black Sea : Very low salinity due to fresh water influx
Bay of Bengal : High salinity due to low fresh water influx

How many of the above pairs are correctly matched?

Official previous-year question

Verified 1 Aug 2026.

Options

AOnly three pairs
BOnly one pair
COnly two pairs
DAll four pairs

Did you get this right?

Solution

The correct Answer is
Only three pairs

Explanation

Ocean salinity is a measure of the salt content in water, primarily influenced by evaporation, precipitation, river runoff, and ocean currents. Variations in these factors lead to distinct salinity patterns in different seas and oceans.

Statement-wise Analysis

Baltic Sea: Low salinity due to river influx
Correct. The Baltic Sea is characterized by low salinity. This is primarily due to a large influx of fresh water from numerous rivers draining into it and limited exchange with the highly saline North Sea.
Mediterranean Sea: High salinity due to high evaporation
Correct. The Mediterranean Sea exhibits high salinity. This is attributed to high rates of evaporation in its warm climate and limited freshwater input from rivers, leading to a concentration of salts.
Black Sea: Very low salinity due to fresh water influx
Correct. The Black Sea has significantly lower salinity compared to oceanic waters. This is due to a substantial inflow of fresh water from major rivers like the Danube, Dnieper, and Don, coupled with restricted exchange with the more saline Mediterranean Sea.
Bay of Bengal: High salinity due to low fresh water influx
Incorrect. The Bay of Bengal generally exhibits lower salinity compared to the Arabian Sea. This is primarily due to a large influx of fresh water from major rivers such as the Ganga, Brahmaputra, Mahanadi, Godavari, Krishna, and Kaveri. The statement incorrectly attributes high salinity to low freshwater influx.

Key Takeaway

Salinity in enclosed or semi-enclosed seas is primarily determined by the balance between freshwater input (from rivers and precipitation) and water loss through evaporation.

Your note

More from Chapter 1: Water (Oceans)

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Consider the following statements regarding the Hudson Canyon: 1. It is a prominent mid-oceanic ridge. 2. It is located in the Atlantic Ocean. 3. It extends from the mouth of a large river. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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With reference to the hydrological cycle, consider the following statements: 1. It involves the continuous exchange of water between the atmosphere, land surface, subsurface, and organisms. 2. About 30 % of the planetary water is found in the oceans. 3. The renewable water on the earth remains constant over time while the demand is decreasing. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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Consider the following statements regarding the relief of the ocean floor: 1. The oceans merge so naturally into one another that it is hard to demarcate them. 2. A major portion of the ocean floor is found at depths less than 1 km. 3. The ocean floors are rugged and contain mountain ranges similar to those on continents. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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Which one of the following sequences correctly arranges the major divisions of the ocean floor from the coast towards the deep sea?

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The correct Answer is
Only three pairs

Explanation

Statement-wise Analysis

Baltic Sea: Low salinity due to river influx
Correct. The Baltic Sea is characterized by low salinity. This is primarily due to a large influx of fresh water from numerous rivers draining into it and limited exchange with the highly saline North Sea.
Mediterranean Sea: High salinity due to high evaporation
Correct. The Mediterranean Sea exhibits high salinity. This is attributed to high rates of evaporation in its warm climate and limited freshwater input from rivers, leading to a concentration of salts.
Black Sea: Very low salinity due to fresh water influx
Correct. The Black Sea has significantly lower salinity compared to oceanic waters. This is due to a substantial inflow of fresh water from major rivers like the Danube, Dnieper, and Don, coupled with restricted exchange with the more saline Mediterranean Sea.
Bay of Bengal: High salinity due to low fresh water influx
Incorrect. The Bay of Bengal generally exhibits lower salinity compared to the Arabian Sea. This is primarily due to a large influx of fresh water from major rivers such as the Ganga, Brahmaputra, Mahanadi, Godavari, Krishna, and Kaveri. The statement incorrectly attributes high salinity to low freshwater influx.

Key Takeaway

Salinity in enclosed or semi-enclosed seas is primarily determined by the balance between freshwater input (from rivers and precipitation) and water loss through evaporation.