1. Ocean Formation
How did the oceans form??

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

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

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

5. Chemical Properties of Seawater
3.5% Dissolved salts
NaCl is most abundant

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

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

8. Salt Removal Sea Spray Evaporite Formation
Water evaporates and salt is left behind

9. Desalination
Process that turns saltwater (saline) into potable (drinkable) freshwater
Common Methods of Desalination:
Distillation
Reverse Osmosis

10. Distillation
Saltwater is heated to boiling point and creates water vapor
The heated water vapor is cooled and condensed as freshwater

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

12. 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

13. Environmental Concerns
Loss of Habitat for organisms that live in the area where the water is taken from
Waste (salt) disposal
Higher concentrations of salt being added back to an environment that is not adapted to those conditions
Costs Money and uses Energy
Greenhouse gas emissions from distillation plants