Tears of the Ocean

Essential Question:: What are the chemical properties of seawater?
Sea water is a mixture of various types of salt and water. There is also chlorine, sodium, sulfur, magnesium, calcium, and potassium that are in the sea salt. 

Station 3: Water Mass Identification Using T-S Diagrams

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

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

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

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‰.

Conclude and Communicate:

1.        Write two new research questions based on what you have learned from this activity.

2.       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?

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

Hydrometer questions

Conclusion / Questions

Answer the questions below.

1. Define the term salinity.

 Salinity is the amount of salt that is in the water

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

 The hydrometer lowers because the salt water is more dense now that there is more salt in it.

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

 It makes the salinity levels higher

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

 a pool because the water is the ocean has more salinity in it than water in a pool.

5. Define the term density.

 a ratio of the amount of mass per unit volume.

 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.

Because when its hot the molecules of the salt start to move more and then they begin to multiply.

Anaylasis questions for its all connected

Analysis of Results:

1.        Why do you think there are international laws for dumping waste/trash/chemicals in the ocean, rather than just local laws? Do these laws only need to extend to nearby neighboring countries? Explain. 

__They are international laws because dumping waste, trash, and chemicals into the ocean is not a safe thing for our environment. Some things cannot decompose. They just sit in the ocean and build up trash piles. Throwing these things into the ocean kills the wildlife that lives there and its not fair to them. __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

2. What else can be done to protect the oceans from being the repository for waste?

We can protect this from happening if we really get into peoples minds and show people that throwing these toxic things into the ocean is killing the wildlife and all of the plants and animals. people do not want to be in an ocean filled with trash so why dont we just stop throwing it in there. ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

3. You have been given a separate question to investigate.  Attach your piece for the display case to this assignment, or submit separately. Remember: colorful, near, accurate, source cited.