Tag: Ocean water safety

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), seawater has an average salinity of about 35 parts per thousand, making it far too salty for human consumption. The high sodium concentration is precisely why it is unhealthy to drink ocean water and can cause severe dehydration and other life-threatening conditions.

According to NOAA, drinking seawater to maintain hydration is counterproductive because human kidneys cannot produce urine saltier than seawater. The resulting salt poisoning, or hypernatremia, can lead to severe and potentially fatal consequences, making it crucial to understand the symptoms of too much seawater.

Over 97% of the Earth's water is saline, making freshwater a limited resource. This critical scarcity directly addresses the question of how much ocean water can you drink and why the answer is so vital for survival.