The mean oceanic mixing time is thought to be approximately 1,600 years. If a given element in the ocean stays in the ocean, on average, longer than the oceanic mixing time, then that element is assumed to be homogeneously spread throughout the ocean. As a result, because the major salts have a residence time that is longer than 1,600 years, the ratio of major salts is thought to be unchanging across the ocean. This constant ratio is often referred to as Forchhammer's principle or the principle of constant proportions.
Reference 1: Residence time (in years).
Reference 2: Iron (Fe), Aluminum (Al), Manganese (Mn), Water (H2O), Silicon (Si), Carbonate (CO32−), Calcium (Ca2+), Sulfate (SO42−), Potassium (K+), Magnesium (Mg2+), Sodium (Na+) and Chloride (Cl−).
Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ocean
Reference 2: Iron (Fe), Aluminum (Al), Manganese (Mn), Water (H2O), Silicon (Si), Carbonate (CO32−), Calcium (Ca2+), Sulfate (SO42−), Potassium (K+), Magnesium (Mg2+), Sodium (Na+) and Chloride (Cl−).
Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ocean
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