Gases
How do fish and other organisms "breathe" underwater? You likely know that fish breathe oxygen through their gills, and underwater plants "breathe" carbon dioxide through their leaves. Although the biology of sea life is beyond the scope of this module, you'll learn about the dissolved gases found in seawater that help make life possible.
Specifically, you'll examine the dissolved gases of oxygen (O2), carbon dioxide (CO2), and nitrogen (N2) to discover from where they originate and their importance to marine and non-marine life.
Essential Questions
- What are the three main types of gases dissolved in seawater?
- What is photosynthesis?
- What is the process that creates most of the oxygen on Earth?
- What is a buffer?
- Why is carbon dioxide important in the oceans?