One of the instruments scientists can use to measure salinity is a CTD rosette, which measures the Conductivity (salinity), Temperature, and Depth of the water column.
Seawater contains salt. When humans drink seawater, their cells are thus taking in water and salt. While humans can safely ingest small amounts of salt, the salt content in seawater is much higher than what can be processed by the human body. Additionally, when we consume salt as part of our daily diets, we also drink liquids, which help to dilute the salt and keep it at a healthy level. Living cells do depend on sodium chloride (salt) to maintain the bodyâs chemical balances and reactions; however, too much sodium can be deadly.
Human kidneys can only make urine that is less salty than salt water. Therefore, to get rid of all the excess salt taken in by drinking seawater, you have to urinate more water than you drank. Eventually, you die of dehydration even as you become thirstier.
klechem on August 30th, 2018 at 23:46 UTC »
One time I wanted to try a salt water bath (where the water goes straight through you and you pee out of your bum). I was told to do 2 TBS of salt with one quart of water. About five minutes after I chugged the worst tasting water of my life, all hell broke loose, in and out of my body. I turned pale and shaky, and felt like I was going to explode. Well... I did. I destroyed that toilet with the fury of a fire hose, and everything kept getting worse. I ended up drinking around 2 gallons of water in one hour, and all of it came out of my anus. Turns out, I was supposed to do 2 TEASPOONS of salt in my water. Worst mistake I ever made.
cfb_rolley on August 30th, 2018 at 21:22 UTC »
Fun fact: kidneys can also make spikey rocks. Amazing.
LeonidasFett on August 30th, 2018 at 19:36 UTC »
Well, this is the reason you should never drink seawater when you're shipwrecked or stranded on an island. You have more chances of surviving if you just tough it out or wait for rain.