Properties of Ocean Water Oceanography Properties of Ocean Water

1. Chemical Properties/Composition 400 billion kg of dissolved solids are carried by rivers into the ocean. Mostly dissolved salts As water evaporates salts and minerals are left behind

Elements in Ocean Water Na – sodium Cl – Chlorine Mg – Magnesium Ca – Calcium K- Potassium Oxygen Gas Nitrogen Gas Carbon Dioxide Trace Minerals 78% of ocean water is NaCl – Sodium Chloride/Table Salt

Salinity The amount of dissolved solids in ocean water 1kg = 1000g 1kg ocean water = 35g of dissolved solids 35 parts of salt per 1000 parts of ocean water is 35% salinity

Changing Salinity 1- freezing 2- evaporation Lower Salinity When evaporation is high, salinity increases Tropical Waters have a higher salinity because of high evaporation

Other Factors of Salinity Depth Surface has more evaporation and higher salinity. Avg. global surface salinity 34.7% Climate Hot and dry Red Sea – 40% Low temp., low evaporation, runoff, melt, and river drainage Baltic Sea – 20% Arctic Ocean has low salinity

2. Temperature Gases dissolve best in COLDER temperatures Solids dissolve best in WARMER temperatures Surface Water – varies with seasons Thermocline – area of rapid temperature change

Temperature of Ocean Water Absorbs long infrared wavelengths Upper zone – completely absorbed Deep zone – only about 2o C Freezing point of salt water is - 2o C

3. Density Temperature affects density of ocean water D=M/V Colder – More Dense Warmer – Less Dense D=M/V Dissolved Substances and density of ocean water Large amount = greater density Small amount = less density

Ocean Resources Minerals Food Fresh Water Distillation – one method of desalination

Ocean Pollution