Properties of Ocean Water

Mr. Silva

Ag Earth Science

Properties of Ocean WaterProperties of Ocean Water

• Ocean water is a complex solution of dissolved gases and solids, small particles and tiny organisms that sustains a variety of plants and animal life.

• Ocean water is only 96.5 % pure water.

• Ocean water is a complex solution of dissolved gases and solids, small particles and tiny organisms that sustains a variety of plants and animal life.

• Ocean water is only 96.5 % pure water.

• There are about 75 different chemicals in the ocean.

• The 6 most abundant – Chlorine– Sodium– Magnesium– Sulfur– Calcium– Potassium

• There are about 75 different chemicals in the ocean.

• The 6 most abundant – Chlorine– Sodium– Magnesium– Sulfur– Calcium– Potassium

Properties of Ocean WaterProperties of Ocean Water

Properties of Ocean WaterProperties of Ocean Water• 1. Salinity of Ocean Water

a. Salt (sodium chloride) makes up 78 % of the ocean’s solids

b. Salinity: The amount of dissolved solids in ocean water as the form of salt

• 1. Salinity of Ocean Watera. Salt (sodium chloride) makes up 78 % of the

ocean’s solids

b. Salinity: The amount of dissolved solids in ocean water as the form of salt

Properties of Ocean WaterProperties of Ocean Water

– c. Salinity increases with evaporation rate and depthi. Tropical waters have a higher salinity than polar

watersii. Surface waters have a higher salinity than

greater depths

– d. The relative amounts of dissolved solids in the ocean is constant (although specific locations may differ) due to a continuous mixing of all parts of the ocean

– c. Salinity increases with evaporation rate and depthi. Tropical waters have a higher salinity than polar

watersii. Surface waters have a higher salinity than

greater depths

– d. The relative amounts of dissolved solids in the ocean is constant (although specific locations may differ) due to a continuous mixing of all parts of the ocean

Properties of Ocean WaterProperties of Ocean Water• 2. Temperature of Ocean Water

– a. Ocean water absorbs infrared wavelengths of sunlight

– b. Surface Temperaturei. Infrared waves are completely absorbed in the

surface layer of water• Constant mixing distributes the heat downward• Ocean water temperature decreases with

increasing depth

• 2. Temperature of Ocean Water– a. Ocean water absorbs infrared

wavelengths of sunlight– b. Surface Temperature

i. Infrared waves are completely absorbed in the surface layer of water

• Constant mixing distributes the heat downward• Ocean water temperature decreases with

increasing depth

Properties of Ocean WaterProperties of Ocean Water• c. Just below surface water, the

temperature drops sharplyi. Warm water cannot mix easily with cold,

denser water

ii. Thermocline: the zone of rapid temperature change

• c. Just below surface water, the temperature drops sharply

i. Warm water cannot mix easily with cold, denser water

ii. Thermocline: the zone of rapid temperature change