Oceanic Properties and Processes

hydrogen bonding

the bond between hydrogen and oxygen that creates water

cohesion

attraction between molecules of the same element

adhesion

attraction between molecules of different elements

pH

the acidity or basicness of any given material

heat capacity

the amount of heat needed to raise an objects heat level by one degree

surface tension

the level of stress the surface of a bod of water can withstand without breaking

global ocean temperature patterns

the ocean’s average temperature is generally warmest at the equatorial area and coldest around each of the poles

temperature as it relates to density

temperature and density are inversely proportional

ocean stratification

when waters with different properties combine and form a barrier that prevents water being mixed

thermocline

a part of any body of water where temperature drops more rapidly with depth

define an acid/base

chemical substances that neutralize one another and are represented on the ph scale

what are the effects?

an excess of ocean acidification will kill off many species including coral and make the ocean more unhabitibal

Ocean acidification and greenhouse gasses

the increasing amount of greenhouse gasses in our ozone is contributing to the increasing acidity of the ocean by pollution as well as the water cycle slowly absorbing more and more toxins

Currents

The flow of the ocean

Ocean Gyres

a circular pattern of currents in the ocean

Thermohaline Circulation

The flow of water as it is influenced by changes in density

Great Oceanic Conveyor Belt

a term referring to the constant motion of the tides around the worlds oceans

definition

the level of salt present in the ocean

what is the salinity of the ocean?

35 grams of dissolved salt per kilogram

what are the salts in the ocean?

aside from sodium chloride, magnesium, sulfate, calcium, and potassium are all present in the ocean

what causes it?

this is due to the erosion of rocks with salt-based chemicals being eroded by seawater and their contents entering the water

what changes salinity in the ocean?

water evaporation and freezing both contribute to the lowering of oceanic salinity

halocline

a well-defined vertical salinity gradient in ocean or other saline water

definition

how compact a substance is

What causes density changes in the ocean

temperature and salinity are the two main factors in density change, salinity and density are proportional

pycnocline

a layer in a body of water where density increases more rapidly with depth

definition

oxygen that is dissolved into the ocean's water

where does the ocean get its dissolved O2 from?

The oceans dissolved o2 is from the aquatic plant live that generates oxygen

patterns of dissolved O2 in the ocean

A lack of or removal of plants in an area can cause its water to have little dissolved oxygen

minimum oxygen zone

the zone in which oxygen saturation in seawater in the ocean is at its lowest

why is it necessary for life?

Because nearly all living things need it to support their respiration system

how does all of the above affect the life and environments in the ocean?

All together the elements listed above work in tandem to make the ocean the habitat that it is for both humans and sea creatures. For example, the plants that generate oxygen that is dissolved in the ocean allow many species that require oxygen to continue living. Salinity of the ocean, though it fluctuates, creates a comfortable and survivable environment for saltwater animals. The great oceanic conveyor belt is driven by the changing density of the ocean and vice versa. Density also affects both the amount of air and sunlight that is received in an area, which allows for a variety of oceanic environments to exist.