What is a characteristic of the water in oceans compared to lakes and ponds?

The water in oceans is generally saltwater due to the presence of dissolved salts and minerals, primarily sodium chloride, which results from the weathering of rocks and the inflow of rivers carrying dissolved minerals. This characteristic distinguishes oceans from lakes and ponds, which predominantly contain freshwater.

Freshwater bodies like lakes and ponds may have varying levels of salinity, but they do not match the salinity of ocean water, making this a key differentiating factor. While there could be variations in temperature and evaporation rates between oceans and lakes, the most significant and defining characteristic that sets oceans apart is their salinity.