Ocean Water Chemistry

Little drops of water, little grains of sand, Make the mighty ocean and the pleasant land.
˜ Julia A. Fletcher Carney (1824-1908)

You may not think too much about water, but nothing on Earth could survive without it. Water impacts every aspect our planet, from providing an ocean home for countless creatures, to slowly carving out the land on which we live. The oceans that have covered two-thirds of the planet for millions of years are now experiencing dramatic changes due to our actions.

In this module, you will learn about the unique structure of the simple water molecule and its many amazing properties. You'll also examine how salts, dissolved gases, and other variations in the chemistry of seawater affect ocean and non-ocean life. Finally, you'll observe the stages of the Water Cycle as well as how we as humans play a role in affecting this cycle and the life that depends on it.

Getting Started

How much do your already know about water? In this interactivity, follow the directions on each question slide. Click SUBMIT to check your responses. Click the player button to begin.

Key Vocabulary

To view the definitions for these key vocabulary terms, visit the course glossary.