In swimming in the ocean at Pawleys Island, South Carolina, I noticed the
water was extraordinarily salty.  My friends who have spent many summers
there tell me that it was most unusual.  I told them that someone on this
list was bound to be able to tell us why ocean salinity varies.  It seemed
to me that the next day it was not quite so salty.  The wind had shifted
somewhat & the currents were a little different.  Hope someone can educate
me.  Sorry that this is not really shell-related - I did pick up a few arks
& clams on the beach, but the pickings were very slim.
 
Jane Heintz