UNIT 2
Chemical Oceanography
Name: ________________________
1. Define and explain what a polar molecule is.
2. Explain why water is a unique molecule.
3. For each property of water, explain what the property is and why it is important to the oceans and life in
general:
a. Surface Tension
b. High Specific Heat or High Heat Capacity
c. High Solubility
d. Latent Heat of Melting & Freezing
e. Latent Heat of Evaporation
f. Density
4. Understand salinity and its impact on the properties of water.
5. Understand salinity and its impact on the biological processes of marine organisms (osmosis).
6. Name the six major dissolved elements in seawater.
7. Explain why there are no salt molecules in seawater.
8. Explain what haloclines, thermoclines, and pycnoclines are.
9. Explain why deep ocean circulation due to variations in salinity and temperature (thermohaline circulation)
is important.
10. Describe the role of dissolved gases (carbon dioxide & oxygen) and organics in maintaining and promoting
life in seawater.
11. Identify what factor protects the ocean from acidification.
Key Terms
Polarity
Hydrogen Bond
Surface Tension
High Specific Heat or Heat
Capacity
High Solubility
Latent Heat of Melting &
Freezing
Latent Heat of Evaporation
Density
Salinity
Ion
Brackish Water
Hypersaline Water
Halocline
Thermocline
Pycnocline
Carbonate Buffering
The Water Molecule

Polar molecule-

Hydrogen Bonds-
The Stuff in Water

Salinity-

Ions-
Major dissolved elements in seawater
1.
4.
2.
5.
3.
6.
Variations in Salinity
 Brackish Water-

Hypersaline Water-
Increasing salinity:
 Causes:
Decreasing salinity:
 Causes:

Effects:

Effects:
Effect of Salinity on Marine Organisms
 Osmosis-
Changes in Salinity & Temperature
 Thermocline
Halocline-

Pycnocline-
Importance of Thermohaline Circulation:
Dissolved Gases

Ocean Acidification-

Carbonate Buffering-
Unique Properties of Water- molecular structure and unequal distribution of charges gives water the following
unique characteristics:
Property
1. Surface Tension
2. Density
3. High Solubility
4. Latent Heat of Melting &
Freezing
5. Latent Heat of Evaporation
6. High Heat Capacity
What it is
Why it’s important