As water heats up, its molecules become more energetic and move apart, leading to a decrease in density. The relationship between salinity and density is further influenced by temperature. Density differences between water layers determine whether a layer will float or sink in relation to other water layers. Conversely, decreasing the concentration of salt in water increases the volume of water, leading to a decrease in density. To build an understanding of the densities of seawater and fresh water and of how water density differences affect ocean circulation, it is important to understand how temperature and salinity differences form water layers of different densities. Pure water’s density varies with temperature and reaches its highest point at a temperature of 4 ☌. The salt in seawater comes from eroding land, volcanic emissions, reactions at the seafloor, and atmospheric deposition. Density of water is 1 gm/cm3, while the denity of pure water at room termperature is 998.2 kg/m3. Seawater has unique properties: it is saline, its freezing point is slightly lower than fresh water, its density is slightly higher, its electrical conductivity is much higher, and it is slightly basic. Ocean Literacy Fundamental Concept: Most of Earth’s water (97 percent) is in the ocean. The shape of the ocean basins and adjacent landmasses influence the path of circulation. Ocean Literacy Fundamental Concept: Throughout the ocean there is one interconnected circulation system powered by wind, tides, the force of the earth’s rotation (Coriolis effect), the sun, and water density differences. Principle 1: The earth has one big ocean with many features The relative floating and sinking of water masses affects vertical ocean circulation. For example, fresh river water floats on top of salty ocean water (Fig. The relative density of each water mass determines whether it will float or sink in relation to another water mass. If water masses do not have the same densities, they will form layers of water. Even within one geographical area of the ocean, there are water masses with different properties. Water in the ocean is not uniform in its composition the properties of ocean water vary in different parts of the ocean.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
Details
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |