Unique Nature of Pure Water
This type of weak attraction between water molecules is responsible for many of water’s unique properties, such as cohesion and high surface tension.
What is hydrogen bonding?
This tool is used by scientists to measure how deep sunlight can penetrate in seawater.
What is a Secchi disk?
The average salinity of seawater is about this many parts per thousand
What is 35% salinity?
Ocean acidification is caused by the increased absorption of this greenhouse gas from the atmosphere.
What is carbon dioxide
The carbon that forms the backbone of all organic molecules starts in this part of Earth’s system before dissolving into the ocean.
What is the atmosphere?
This massive body of water contains more total heat due to its larger mass.
What is the Atlantic Ocean?
Sound travels at about 1,520 meters per second in water, much faster than in this substance.
What is air?
These natural events contribute sulfides and chlorides to the ocean, adding to seawater’s chemical composition.
What are volcanic eruptions?
Ocean acidification makes it harder for marine organisms like corals and shellfish to form this protective structure.
What are calcium carbonate shells
Through this process, producers like phytoplankton convert carbon dioxide into organic compounds such as glucose.
What is photosynthesis?
Water can become less dense in this state, allowing it to float and insulate the water below.
What is ice?
Ocean pressure increases by this much for every 10 meters of depth.
What is 1 atmosphere
These two ions make up about 85% of the dissolved salts in seawater.
What are sodium and chloride?
Since the Industrial Revolution, the average ocean pH has dropped from about 8.2 to this approximate level.
What is 8.1 or lower?
When consumers and decomposers break down organic compounds, they release this gas back into the atmosphere.
What is carbon dioxide?
This property, defined as the amount of heat needed to raise the temperature of a substance, helps oceans resist temperature changes.
What is high heat capacity?
This special ocean layer allows low-frequency sounds to travel long distances and is used by whales for communication.
What is the Deep Sound Channel?
Both salinity and temperature affect seawater density, but this factor often has the greater influence.
What is temperature?
Reduces in the water?
What is PH?
Carbon moves between the atmosphere and ocean through this process, where CO₂ dissolves into surface waters
What is gas exchange?
These charged particles, which come from weathering rocks, volcanic eruptions, and Earth’s interior, make up the dissolved materials in seawater.
What are ions?
Of all the colors in visible light, this one penetrates deepest into ocean water, while red is absorbed first.
What is blue light?
This falling mixture of organic and inorganic particles helps transport nutrients and trace elements to the deep ocean.
What is marine snow?
Ions needed by organisms to build and maintain shells and other calcium carbonate structures
What are carbon ions
The continuous movement of carbon among the atmosphere, oceans, land, and living organisms is known as this global process.
What is the carbon cycle?