Salinity Measurements in Hyperhaline Brines: A Case Study of the Present Aral Sea

Studies in waterbodies with peculiar salinity face problems in determining water salinity (mineralization). The conventional methods of determining salinity from conductivity or, in the past, chlorinity can yield significant errors. This article compares two methods for determining water salinity: the solid residue method and the measurement of sound velocity in water. It has been shown that the measurement of sound velocity (and temperature) can be used for reliable in situ determination of water salinity that is almost unfeasible by other methods (applicable only under laboratory conditions or yielding insufficient accuracy). Results of water salinity determination in different regions of the Aral Sea in 2012–2015 are presented.