1. Properties of Ocean Water
Oceanography
Properties of Ocean Water

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

10. 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

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

12. Ocean Pollution