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Understanding Ocean Chemistry and Processes

Oceanography is the study of the physical, chemical, biological, and geological processes in oceans. The document discusses key aspects of ocean chemistry - oceans contain dissolved gases like oxygen and carbon dioxide absorbed from the atmosphere. They also act as carbon sinks, absorbing more carbon than the atmosphere. Ocean water is 3.5% dissolved salts like sodium, chloride, and magnesium, with sodium chloride making up 85% of salts. Salinity and density of ocean water varies with temperature, depth, and location.

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Jomar Ison
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11 views14 pages

Understanding Ocean Chemistry and Processes

Oceanography is the study of the physical, chemical, biological, and geological processes in oceans. The document discusses key aspects of ocean chemistry - oceans contain dissolved gases like oxygen and carbon dioxide absorbed from the atmosphere. They also act as carbon sinks, absorbing more carbon than the atmosphere. Ocean water is 3.5% dissolved salts like sodium, chloride, and magnesium, with sodium chloride making up 85% of salts. Salinity and density of ocean water varies with temperature, depth, and location.

Uploaded by

Jomar Ison
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Oceanography

Introduction
Ocean Chemistry
Oceanography
 The study of the physical, chemical, biological, and
geological processes that interact in the world’s
oceans.
Name the 5 Major Oceans
 Atlantic
 Pacific
 Indian
 Southern
 Arctic
Oceans of the World
Chemical Properties of Ocean Water:
Dissolved Gasses
 High amounts of dissolved gasses such as carbon
dioxide and oxygen.

 More dissolved gasses in cold water than warm water.


Where would most animals like to live? Cold or
Warm water?

 Constant exchange of gasses between ocean and


atmosphere as temperatures change.
Oceans are Carbon Sinks
 Carbon Sink: Any body of water or land that absorbs
carbon (specifically carbon dioxide).

 Oceans contain 60 times more carbon than the


atmosphere does and holds carbon for much longer.

 Helps regulate earth’s climate!


What’s in that water?
 96.5% pure H2O.
 3.5% Dissolved solids (Salts).
 Common salts include: chlorine, sodium, magnesium,
sulfur, calcium, and potassium.

 NaCl (Sodium Chloride/Table Salt) Makes up 85% of all


salts in the ocean.
Water, Water Everywhere but
not a drop to drink.
 Question: How did the ocean get salty?
 Answer: The salts came from weathering and erosion
of the continents, volcanic eruptions, and chemical
reactions between sea water and newly formed
volcanic rocks.
How salty is salty?
 Ocean water has a salinity of 35 parts per thousand.
(same as 3.5%).

 Compare that to an estuary like the Chesapeake Bay.


How salty is the bay?

 Answer: About 15-25 parts per thousand.


 How about fresh water?
 0-1 Parts per thousand
How does salinity differ?
Salinity changes with depth
too: The Halocline
Ocean Water Density
When is ocean water the
most dense? Least Dense?
 Most dense right before freezing (about 4 degrees
celcius).

 Least dense when evaporated as a gas.


Key Ideas
 The earth has 5 major oceans.
 The ocean’s chemistry is determined by biologic,
geologic, and atmospheric processes.
 Weathering and erosion contribute most of the salt to
the oceans.
 Oceans act as carbon sinks and regulate earth’s
climate.
 Salinity changes with temperature and depth.
 Density changes with salinity and temperature.

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