David Wellenstein, 13, of Richfield Spr ngs, N. Y., or his question:

Is Hudson Bay fresh or salt water?

Hudson Bay is the worlds third largest landlocked sea. It connects with the Arctic Ocean t o the north and by a narrow channel to the Atlantic Ocean. These oceans are connected with all the other oceans of the world Their waters are constantly being churned and mixed by tides, currents and winds. Hudson Bay is a backwater of the salty oceans, constantly mixing and merging its waters with theirs,

However, the water in Hudson Bay is less salty, say, than the water in the mid Atlantic. Though the bay never freezes over, most of the year it contains quantities of floating ice. Much of this ice is frozen fresh water and as it melts it adds fresh water to the salt water of the bay. Hence, the bay is salt, but less salt than most ocean water.