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.

drinking water image

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

Water InteractivityHow 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.

alkaline desalination ions salinity
atomic structure dissociate liquid molecules solid
atoms distillation nitrogen fixation solvent
base electrons pH sunlit zone
basic evaporation photosynthesis surface tension
buffer fossil fuels polar thermal expansion
carbonic acid freeze separation precipitation thermocline
cohesion gas pressure thermohaline circulation
condensation halocline pycnocline water cycle
covalent bonds heat capacity respiration  
density hydrogen bondrunoff