How does ocean surface salinity vary across the Oceanic Shoals CMR?

Salinity is the measure of how much salt is in the ocean at a given time and place (why is the ocean salty?). Ocean organisms have adapted to certain levels of salinity and can be harmed if salinity changes too much from typical levels (for example, low salinity in flood plumes can stress coral reefs). Satellite data such as MODIS can be used to measure salinity across the world's oceans on a regular basis. A repository of salinity data is available through MARSPEC (Ocean Climate Layers for Marine Spatial Ecology).

Use the interactive map below to view various measures of salinity from MARSPEC within the Oceanic Shoals CMR and beyond. Click on the icon with four arrows at the top left of the map to see a full screen version. Then, you can choose which measure of ocean salinity you would like to view.

How to use the map

	Click on this icon at the top left of the map to see a full screen version.
	Click on this icon also at the top left of the map to zoom in closer to (+) or further from (-) the map.