Local changes occur due to:
Volcanic Activity
runoff
atmospheric dissolution
strong wind/wave action (storms)
currents
upwellings
cold surface water sinking
Differences in salinity
Warm water above cold water
lower salinity above higher salinity
do not mix
dilutes sea water, decreases salinity
places especially affected: estuaries and near glaciers
wind, but only from surface to ~200m deep
Currents
Temperature changes
As salinity increases, density increases
Lower salinity (and lower density) water on top of higher salinity (and higher density) water
photosynthesis
turbulence caused by waves
most DO at the surface
respiration
increase in temperature
forms temperature gradients
warm water sits on top of cold water
high concentration at the surface layer due to turbulence and photosynthesis
extremely low concentration below the surface layer due to respiration but lack of turbulence and photosynthesis (no light)
increase in deeper water due to few organisms respirating but increases dissolution as a result of high pressure and cold water
high concentration of DO at the surface
Then it decreases rapidly as depth increases
Then it increases rapidly as depth increases before becoming constant
dissolved gases remain at equilibrium (mostly) with atmosphere
concentrations depend on relative solubility, temperature, pressure, and salinity of the ocean
-Submerged volcanoes release gases, including chlorine
major source of chloride ions
dissolve in atmospheric h2o -enter ocean by precipitation
determine the IV and range of values
Determine the control variables
Determine how to keep control variables the same
Decide on the number of replicates
Determine the timeframe
Determine the measurements that will be taken