The correct option is 1 and 3 only.
Explanation
Ocean salinity is influenced by the rate of evaporation, the amount of precipitation, and the influx of fresh water from rivers. In the Indian Ocean, regional differences in these factors create distinct salinity patterns.
- Statement 1 is Correct: The average salinity of the Indian Ocean is generally accepted to be 35 parts per thousand (ppt), which corresponds to the standard average salinity of the world's oceans.
- Statement 2 is Incorrect: The Bay of Bengal exhibits lower salinity than the Arabian Sea. This is primarily due to the immense influx of fresh water from large river systems such as the Ganga, Brahmaputra, Irrawaddy, Mahanadi, Godavari, and Krishna, which dilutes the seawater.
- Statement 3 is Correct: The Arabian Sea experiences high evaporation rates due to its location in tropical and subtropical latitudes and receives comparatively low fresh water influx from rivers. This lack of dilution combined with high evaporation results in higher salinity compared to the Bay of Bengal.
Key Takeaway: The Arabian Sea records higher salinity due to high evaporation and low freshwater influx, whereas the Bay of Bengal records lower salinity due to the significant discharge of fresh water from major rivers.
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