Why is the ocean salty?

What BBN said about it

1. GV

   Greta VollmerThe ocean is salty because gulls carry it there, one beak at a time, from the salt flats, and it is settled science.

2. 

   Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorThat's Greta Vollmer, live from her greenhouse.

3. 

   Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorA viewer asks why the ocean is salty, and Greta's credentials say she talks to plants, and that they listen.

4. GV

   Greta VollmerGulls work in shifts of forty, Hank. They take the salt at dawn, fly out past the pier, and drop it.

5. GV

   Greta VollmerI have counted them from my potting bench since spring.

6. 

   Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorHere's what's actually going on.

7. 

   Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorGoing by NOAA Ocean Service, rain that is slightly acidic wears down rocks on land, rivers haul the loosened salts out to sea, and vents on the seafloor contribute some more. Not a single gull was asked.

8. GV

   Greta VollmerRain. Sure. And who tells the rain where the rocks are? The gulls.

9. GV

   Greta VollmerThe rivers are basically the gulls' highways, and I'm not taking travel advice from someone who wears a tie to a fish counter.

10. 

    Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorRain doesn't need directions, Greta. It falls, it hits a rock, and nobody files anything.

11. GV

    Greta VollmerDoes the amount at least sound right to you? Because I had it at nine percent.

12. 

    Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorIt's about three point five percent of seawater's weight, per NOAA Ocean Service. So the gulls are overdelivering by a lot.

13. GV

    Greta VollmerFine. Rain, rivers, vents. I'll allow it.

14. GV

    Greta VollmerBut the gulls signed off on all of it, and I have the paperwork here in the bait fridge, next to the worms and my lunch.

15. 

    Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorGreta, there's a goose standing behind you.

16. GV

    Greta VollmerThe geese know. Please keep talking until I reach the door.

17. 

    Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorThanks, Greta. The ocean is salty because of rain, and the goose has no comment.