The Dead Sea contains approximately what percentage of dissolved solids?

• A. 28%
• B. 3%
• C. 33%
• D. 27%

Answer: (D)

The Dead Sea is extremely saline, so a large portion of its water is made up of dissolved minerals. This happens because the region is very arid and water evaporates quickly, leaving salts behind and concentrating them in the remaining water. That concentration is very high, with roughly one-third of the water’s mass consisting of dissolved solids.

In practical terms, this means the water has a salinity on the order of about 33 percent, which is why the Dead Sea is so dense and people float with ease. Different measurements can yield small variations, but the standard way to describe it is that dissolved solids are around one-third of the water.