( 79 ) 



Analysis of the Waters of the Mediterranean. By M. 

 UZIGLIO. 



M. Marcel de Serres has made a report to the French 

 Academy of the different memoirs by M. Uziglio, relating to 

 the analysis of the water of the Mediterranean. 



A knowledge of the composition of the water of the ocean 

 and of inland seas, is highly interesting in a geological point of 

 view, on account of the importance of these great fluid masses 

 in the history of the globe. It is not less interesting 

 to the chemist and the manufacturer, who work upon the 

 salts which these waters contain. M. Uziglio rightly con- 

 cluded that it was necessary again to analyze the water of 

 the Mediterranean, the chemists who preceded him not 

 having estimated with sufficient correctness the proportions 

 of potash and soda which are held in solution. 



The composition of the water of the Mediterranean cannot 

 be compared to that of the ocean, since it is circumscribed 

 in a basin which is closed and limited, and hence it is more 

 concentrated. In fact, the saltness of the seas appears to 

 have been maintained by the salts supplied from the water 

 of the continents, and by the soluble substances which mi- 

 neral waters supply in their courses. Thus, the water is 

 generally more salt near the coast than in the open sea.* On 

 the other hand, mineral waters, and particularly salt springs, 

 greatly resemble sea water. 



According to M. Uziglio, the principal substances con- 

 tained in the Mediterranean are sulphuric, hydrochloric, 

 hydrobromic and carbonic acids. MM. Figuier and Mialhe 

 have also stated the presence of traces of phosphoric acid 

 combined with magnesia. As to bases, M. Uziglio has ob- 

 served potash, soda, lime, magnesia, and oxide of iron, to 

 which for the ocean must be added oxide of manganese. The 

 best known, and the most abundant element of sea water is 

 chlorine ; in fact, 100 grammes of the water of the Mediter- 

 ranean contain 2-0468 grs. of it, and only 00432 grs. of 

 bromine, which almost constantly accompanies the chlorine ; 

 both occur combined with the sodium and potassium. 



* This statement requires confirmation. — Edit. 



