Or Water, Water Everywhere
The Water Planet More than 70% of Earth’s surface is covered with water. Because of this, Earth is called ‘the Water Planet.’ It is also called this because water is found in all three forms: Solid Liquid Gas Water is a renewable resource because it is circulated in the water cycle.
The Water Cycle The water cycle consists of three main parts: Evaporation Condensation Precipitation
The Water Cycle Evaporation – The process of liquid water turning into water vapor (gaseous). Evaporation happens when the Sun heats any body of water (oceans, lakes, rivers, etc). Evaporation from plants is called transpiration. Condensation – The process of water vapor (gas) turning into liquid water. Water condensing in the air creates clouds. Precipitation – The process of water (in the form of rain, sleet, snow, hail) falls from clouds.
The Water Cycle
Water Cycle After precipitation has fallen, water will accumulate in low-lying areas Rivers and streams Ravines Lakes It can also be absorbed by the ground and accumulate underground in aquifers.
Water Distribution 97% of Earth’s water is salt water which is undrinkable. Of the remaining fresh water, nearly all of it is locked in the polar ice caps. This means that about 1% of Earth’s water is actually drinkable!
Water Distribution
Earth’s Oceans Oceans cover about 75% of Earth’s surface. What are the 5 oceans of the world?
Ocean Water Ocean water is a mixture of many different chemicals that help to support the life found in it. Dissolved Gases Dissolved Solids Different properties also affect the composition of the water Salinity Temperature Density
Ocean Water - Gases There are 3 main gases that are found dissolved in ocean water Nitrogen Oxygen Carbon Dioxide
Where do these gases come from? Since these three gases are found abundantly in the atmosphere, that is where most of the gases come from. Other sources include: Rivers/streams Underwater volcanoes Marine (ocean) organisms
Underwater Volcano
Carbon Sinks A carbon sink is a natural or artificial reservoir that collects and stores a carbon compound. Ocean water contains more than 60 times more carbon than the atmosphere. This is important because CO2 in the atmosphere acts as greenhouse gas and too much can lead to a rise in global temperatures.
Sea water is approximately 96.5% water. What makes up the rest?
Ocean Water - Solids Sea salts make up 3.5% of seawater. What is sea salt? Dissolved solids are composed of about 75 different chemicals, including: Chlorine (Cl) Sodium (Na) Magnesium(Mg) Calcium(Ca) Potassium (K) Trace elements (other salts and minerals)
Ocean Water - Solids These solids have 3 main sources: Volcanic eruptions Erosion of rock Chemical reactions between seawater and new seafloor
Salinity Salinity is the measurement of the amount of dissolved salts in a liquid. Salinity can be changed by several factors: Temperature Precipitation Density (More in-depth discussion later this week)