Water Properties Flashcards
(19 cards)
Origin of matter in the Ocean
volcanic ash, continental rocks though weathering, hydrothermal vents.
Freezing point of seawater
slightly colder than water
Composition of atoms in seawater
Cl, Na, SO4, Mg, Ca, K, etc.
Law of Constant Proportion
the relative abundance of major salts in constant regardless of the ocean.
Residence time
amount of substance/ rate at which substance is added
Concentration of gases can be dissolved
determined by temperature and salinity
Salinity
the amount of water dissolved in the water
Units
unitless or ppt (0/00)
Average salinity
35 0/00
Variations
amount of evaporation and precipitation
Variations cont.
river emptying in the ocean, freezing, thawing
Density
2-3% greater than water
Low density water
high temperature, low salinity
surface temperature
related to the amount of solar energy received and varies as a function of latitude
relation between salinity and freezing point
As seawater increases 5 ppt, the freezing point decrease by 0.5
Mixed Layer
mechanical mixing and convective mixing with a fairly constant temperature
Mechanical mixing
caused by wave actions, surface storms
Convective mixing
occur as a result of changes in water stability; density, increase in surface salinity or temperature
Thermocline
where temperature decreases rapidly with depth
