Atlantic Ocean SG only 1.021?

sjm817 · #1 07/30/2007, 07:47 PM

I went on vacation in the Outer Banks N.C. and brought back some NSW for testing. The SG is only 1.021 as measured by my properly calibrated refractometer. Just curious as I expected it would be higher.

kkris · #2 07/30/2007, 08:19 PM

Inshore, offdhore or bay? Where did you measure it?

sjm817 · #3 07/30/2007, 08:27 PM

Ocean side of Outer Banks. Near the beach. I brought back a bottle of it and measured it at home.

HowardW · #4 07/30/2007, 10:06 PM

I've been told by a couple live rock divers who's sites are in the Gulf about 15-20 miles offshore that seasonal changes in SG are very common and can range anywhere from 1.018 to 1.035

Amphiprion · #5 07/30/2007, 10:37 PM

The atlantic averages out as the saltiest major ocean, but it does vary, as HowardW says.

bertoni · #6 07/31/2007, 12:38 AM

The surface SG also varies from place to place. Millero's book gives some data points.

manderx · #7 07/31/2007, 02:34 PM

too close to shore. too much freshwater dumping in nearby from rivers. i'm surprised it wasn't lower.