1. Properties of Seawater
Chapter 3: Chemical and Physical Features of Seawater and the World Ocean
Properties of Seawater

2. Review: Properties of Pure Water
Physical Properties
Chemical Properties
Cohesion/Surface tension
Found in all three states on the earth
Universal Solvent – dissolves more substances than any other common liquid
Conduction of heat – highest of all liquids (except for mercury)
pH – water dissociates into anions (OH-) and cations (H+)
Latent heat of vaporization – highest of all common substances
Polarity – water has positive and negative ‘ends’
Latent heat of fusion – high for a molecule of its size
Hydrophobic effect
Heat capacity – highest of all common solids & liquids
Density – max at 4ºC for pure water
Viscosity –relatively low for a liquid

3. The Water Molecule Two hydrogen atoms, one oxygen atom
H atoms form 105º angle
This angle produces an asymmetrical dipole. Slight (+) charge on the H atoms and slight (-) charge on the O atoms. O H
105º

4. O H
The Water Molecule
These slight charges cause the (+) H atoms of one water molecule to attract the (-) O atoms of other water molecules.
These weak bonds are called hydrogen bonds.
Water can hydrogen bond with other substances aside from itself. O H O H

5. Why does ice float? Density-Temperature Relationship
Background
Temperature is a measure of kinetic energy (KE). As KE decreases, hydrogen bonds stay formed and break less. Water molecules stay closer together until…
Explanation
As the temperature approaches 4ºC, less dense ice clusters begin to form in the liquid.
At 0ºC when all water molecules become locked in the rigid ice lattice, the hydrogen bonds actually hold molecules farther apart than at 4ºC. This creates spaces making the water less dense.

6. Why does ice float? Density-Temperature Relationship Graph

7. Why do fish not get electrocuted when lightning strikes the ocean
Why do fish not get electrocuted when lightning strikes the ocean? Conductivity
Explanation
Conductivity is a property that measures the ability of a substance to transmit heat, electricity, or sound.
Pure water is not a good conductor of electricity. Its conductivity is about 20 dS/m.
(Compare with silver – the highest conductivity with 63 x 106 S/m)
In addition, the electrical charge of lightning usually spreads instantaneously along the surface of the water from the location of the strike and to a lesser degree below the surface at the strike site. Fish in other areas are not affected.

8. Why do coastal areas have slower temperature changes than inland areas
Why do coastal areas have slower temperature changes than inland areas? Heat capacity
Background
Heat – energy of molecular motion
Water can absorb or give up heat by conduction (molecular exchange of heat) or convection (mixing)
Explanation
Water can hold heat longer and release heat more slowly than land.
Temperature differential between land and ocean will cause uneven heating of air masses which drive winds and moderate any drastic temperature changes.
Off-shore breeze
On-shore breeze

9. Why don’t fats and oils dissolve in water? Polarity
Fats and oils are nonpolar molecules.
These compounds do not have slight regions of charge like water does.
Therefore water molecules are not attracted to nonpolar molecules and actually can be repelled by them.
Basis for cell membranes and the water repellency of marine mammals and birds.

10. How can water bugs “stride” across water without breaking the surface
How can water bugs “stride” across water without breaking the surface? Surface tension and cohesion
The cohesion or mutual attraction of water molecules creates a flexible barrier on the surface of water.
This helps support aquatic insects such as water striders (Halobates sp.)

11. Why does water dissolve more substances than any other common liquid
Why does water dissolve more substances than any other common liquid? The Universal Solvent
Because water is polar, it dissolves most substances, especially other polar molecules and compounds composed of ions, atoms or molecules that carry an electrical charge.
These ionic compounds are often called salts.
NaCl (salt) most common dissolved salt in ocean. There are many others.
Seawater is a solution of these salts.
Salt crystal

12. Seawater Seawater is 96.5% water 3.5% dissolved compounds
Sources of salts and dissolved solids:
Erosion of rocks and soil
Breakdown of organisms
Condensation of rain from the atmosphere
Releases from hydrothermal vents
Seawater is
96.5% water
3.5% dissolved compounds

13. Salinity Total amount of dissolved salts in seawater.
Measured in parts per thousand (ppt)
Average value 35 ppt or 35‰
Range from 0‰ near river mouths to 40% in the dead sea.
Globally, seawater salinity remains constant. Rule of constant proportions states that the percentage of various ions in seawater remains constant.

14. Surface Salinities of the Oceans

15. Dissolved compounds in seawater
Inorganic substances (salts, nutrients)
Dissolved gases
Organic compounds (fats, oils, vitamins, amino acids, proteins)
Nitrates and phosphates (usually in excess as pollution)
Pollution (DDT, PCBs, chlorinated hydrocarbons that are synthetic)

16. Dissolved Gases Primarily nitrogen, carbon dioxide, oxygen
N2 biologically inert.
CO2 needed for photosynthesis and pH buffering.
O2 required for respiration.
                                              
stories/s htm

17. Factors that Affect Salinity
Salinity increases due to…
freezing of seawater.
evaporation.
Salinity decreases due to…
melting of icebergs and sea ice.
precipitation.
run-off from rivers.

18. Seawater pH
The carbonic acid – bicarbonate – carbonate system keeps seawater at a pH value between 7.5 and 8.4.
The oceans are an enormous “sink” for atmosphere CO2

19. The Carbon Buffering System
Seawater has an unusually large capacity to absorb CO2.
CO H2O  H2CO3 (carbonic acid)
H2CO3  H HCO3 – (bicarbonate ion)
HCO3 –  H CO32- (carbonate ion)

20. pH The amount of hydrogen ions in a substance is referred to as pH.
pH = (pondus hydrogeni or “power of hydrogen”
pH = -log10 [H+]
Scales ranges from 0 to 14.
Therefore, a pH of 14 means that the water is very alkaline (basic) while pH 1 means it is acidic. A pH of 7 is neutral.

21. Work Cited
Kreger, Chris. "Acid Mine Drainage: Alkalinity." Exploring the Environment: Water Quality Wheeling Jesuit University. 2 Oct 2008 < Lower, Stephen. "A gentle introduction to water and its structure." H2O Oct 2008 < "October 2006 Archives." [Weblog The Marine Electronics Weblog] Oct Panbo . 1 Oct 2008 < Water Conductivity Lenntech Water Treatment & Purification B.V.. 1 Oct 2008 < Woodruff, Steve W.. "Water & Weather." Los Angeles Pierce College Weather Station. 1 Oct 2008 <