Oceanography reflection

I learned a lot in the past few months in my oceanography class. There were a lot of hands on labs that were designed to help us understand the different properties of the ocean and the many forces that affect it. As a class, we watched a entertaining short documentary about real oceanographers who lived in an underwater research station. We also watched a discussion based video explaining how the ocean transmits sound and how whales use this to communicate. These videos brought up interesting topics of conversation because they addressed how humans have affected the ocean and the organisms in it. We also worked on various projects from creating a sea floor diagram to designing an island that would be both habitable by humans and the indigenous life. These projects were designed to help us learn the many geological terms that exist in oceanography. As a class we learned about the different types of coastline as well as what specific ocean features are called. Towards the end of the coarse we ended up learning about the density and salinity of water, and we had a few labs based on this topic. It was very interesting to see how these factors really makes the ocean a unique place to study. Overall I enjoyed the class and though it was a valuable use of my time. I think the biggest thing I took away from this class was I realized how important the ocean is to our everyday lives and the measures we as people need to do to protect it and all the life that it sustains.

What are the chemical properties of seawater?

Sander Casale
Oceanography

Station 1: An Introduction to Ocean Salinity

1.        Contrast the differences between brine, marine, brackish, lake (aquatic), and local tap water types based on salinity. Provide examples of where you find these water types. 

        Marine, brackish, lake, and tap water all have a different salinity. usually Marine water is the most dense, then Brackish, then lake and then tap water. 

2.       The average ocean salinity is 3.5% but there are areas higher or lower than this value. Name three oceanic locations that would differ from the average and explain what causes the variation to occur.

       3 oceanic locations that would differ from a regular ocean and its salinity would be in the arctic, the dead sea, and the Caribbean. The Caribbean's warm waters would make the sea water less dense, the opposite is true for  the arctic ocean because of its cold waters making the water more dense. Lastly the dead sea is a strange exception form regular oceanic examples because its is higher in salinity, which is about 34%. 

3.       Contrast the principles behind how a hydrometer and how a refractometer measure salinity.
    
       a hydrometer measures salinity using gravity in a slightly different way than a refractometer in the sense that the hydrometer does not use a dial to measure the salinity of water. Also, a refractometer is more reliable.

4.      Explain how the temperature of the water affects the salinity.

       Generally  saltier  waters are located in more warm regions, and cold water is more dense while warm water is less dense. 

5.       Which salinity-measuring tool would be easier to use in the field?

       a refractometer would be easier to use in the field because it is more stable and reliable. 

Station 2: The Effects of Temperature, Density, and Salinity

1.        From examination of your Station 2 plots, which seemed to have a greater effect on the density of water, temperature or salinity? Explain.

      Salinity appeared to have a greater effect in my salinity experiment. This is probably because the temperature of water can only reach a certain point until it is not water anymore, where as very polluted/salty  water can have a much higher salinity. 

2.       From the third graph plot of Station 2 (T-S Diagram), can the salinity stay the same while the temperatures and densities change? Explain.

       The salinity cannot stay the same while the temperature an density changes because temperature affects the salinity of water. 

Station 3: Water Mass Identification Using T-S Diagrams

1.        In the CTD profile you plotted, the deepest water had the lowest salinity. Explain how this is possible. Hint: Remember that more than salinity affects water density.

      Deeper water is generally colder than warm water and colder water is more dense, but surface pollutants as well as more salts make surface water denser.

2.       Normally you find high salinities at the surface of the water, especially in samples taken closer to the equator. Explain.

      Normally deserts are around 30 degrees longitude on the earth and in these places close to the equator is where the higher salinity is in the ocean. 

3.       Why would scientists be interested in identifying specific water masses?

       Scientists might be interested in identifying different water masses because these water masses might be present in specific places that they are interested in studying. 

Station 4: Factors affecting Salinity

1.        Examine the transect line and your plotted graph and explain what causes the salinity changes from the equator to the Bering Sea in the Arctic Circle.

2.       Research what other factors can alter the salinities in the ocean from its average of 35‰.

The value and importance of this activity

a.       What is the unique chemistry of seawater, how is it measured, what is its consistency and what are its physical characteristics?

      Seawater is denser than regular water and it is very abundant in our world. Seawater has different densities and salinities, and is vital for oceanic life.

b.      Why would scientists be interested in the inorganic chemistry of water? 

      It will help them be able to study sea life better by understanding the environment they live in. 

Build a Hydrometer activity questions

1. Define the term salinity.

 Salinity is the total quantity or concentration of all dissolved inorganic solids.

2. If you add salt to a water solution, will a hydrometer float higher or lower in the water? Explain your choice.

 It will float higher because the salt makes the hydrometer more buoyant because the water is denser. 

3. What effect does the addition of salt have on the properties of water?

The addition of salt make the water more dense.

4. Is it easier to float in the ocean than in a swimming pool? Explain why or why not.

It is easier to float on the ocean rather than a pool because the water in the ocean is more dense because of its salinity. 

5. Define the term density.

Density is defined as a measure of quantity such as mass.

 6. The salinity of seawater is also affected by the temperature of a body of water. Explain how temperature causes differences in the salinity of water.

Cold water is more dense where as the opposite is true about warm water. This means cool ocean water is denser because the molecules of the liquid are moving slower. Warmth in liquids causes the molecules to move faster.