Ocean Formation How did the oceans form??

Formation of the Ocean Earth is approximately 4.6 Billion Years Old Oceans formed 2 possible ways: –Comets –Volcanism

Comets Comets hit the Earth and released water The water filled the ocean basins over geologic time

Volcanism Volcanoes release Water Vapor, Carbon Dioxide and other gases Water vapor condensed to form water droplets that formed the oceans

Chemical Properties of Seawater 96.5% Water 3.5% Dissolved salts –NaCl is most abundant

Salinity –Measure of the amount of dissolved salts in seawater –Expressed in ppt (Parts per thousand) 35 ppt

How Does the Water Become Salty??? Volcanic gases contain chlorine and sulfur dioxide which dissolve into water Weathering of rocks and minerals

Salt Removal Sea Spray Evaporate Formation –Water evaporates and salt is left behind

Desalinization Processes that turns saltwater into freshwater Distillation –Water heated and evaporated –Water vapor cooled and condensed as freshwater

Reverse Osmosis –Seawater pressed through semi permeable membrane that allows water, not NaCl to pass through

Why would we want to remove salt? Humans need freshwater to survive Of the 3% of freshwater, most is unavailable to us! (glaciers) In case of drought conditions, water would still be available

Negative Effects Environmental concerns –Loss of habitat, waste (salt) disposal Costs Money and uses Energy Greenhouse gas emissions