Other Properties of Water

You likely know about the importance of oxygen in sustaining much of the ocean's living organisms, but did you know that carbon dioxide also plays a vital role in maintaining a healthy ocean environment?

In this topic, you'll study the pH qualities of seawater, including how carbon dioxide helps maintain a relatively constant pH level vital to the well-being of all ocean life.

This topic also addresses the impact of human activities on ocean acidification, and explores the desalination process that provides many people with fresh water.

Essential Questions

• What is the pH of seawater?
• Is seawater acidic or basic?
• How does carbon dioxide affect the pH of seawater?
• Has the acidity of seawater increased, decreased or remained the same over time?
• What is desalination?