How are brine pools able to exist when the salt should just diffuse out into the ocean?

Question

How are brine pools able to exist when the salt should just diffuse out into the ocean?

In: 3

Answer 1

Brine pools can exist because they are located in areas where the rate of salt input exceeds the rate of diffusion into the surrounding ocean. These pools form in depressions on the ocean floor, where concentrated brine (highly salty water) accumulates due to various geological and oceanographic processes.

One of the main reasons these brine pools can maintain their high salinity is that they are often in areas with limited water circulation. The water surrounding the pools may not mix as readily with the rest of the ocean, preventing the salt from diffusing away quickly.

Additionally, the brine itself may be continuously replenished by underwater springs or seafloor vent systems that release salty water, keeping the pool’s salinity levels relatively stable.

So, in summary, brine pools can persist because they receive a steady supply of salt from various sources and are located in regions where salt diffusion is relatively slow due to limited water circulation.