aice marine unit 1

Solvent

A substance that dissolves other elements, with water being a primary example.

Polar molecules

Molecules that have a partial positive charge on one side and a partial negative charge on the other, characteristic of water.

Cohesion

The property of water that allows it to stick to itself.

Adhesion

The property of water that allows it to stick to other objects.

Density of water

Water's solid form (ice) is less dense than its liquid form.

Light absorption

When water is exposed to light, it absorbs it and converts it to heat.

pH of seawater

Important for enzymes, metabolism, and growth.

Salinity

The concentration of salt in water, measured in parts per thousand (ppt).

Isopycnal

A line or surface of constant density that remains the same with depth.

Average salinity

The typical salinity of seawater, which is 35 parts per thousand.

Salinity variation

Higher salinity at the poles and lower salinity at the equator due to precipitation.

Biological gases

Gases involved in biological processes, including oxygen and carbon dioxide.

Solubility of gases

Carbon dioxide is the most soluble gas in seawater.

Bicarbonate ions

Ions that react chemically with seawater and act as a buffer.

Greenhouse gases

Nitrogen is not classified as a greenhouse gas.

Density formula

Density (D) is calculated as mass (m) divided by volume (v).

Factors of density

Salinity and temperature are the two major factors affecting water density.

Coriolis effect

The effect caused by the combination of air and water movement.

Generating force

Wind acts as a generating force for ocean waves.

Dry air zones

Located at 30 degrees North and 30 degrees South.

Deep water waves

Waves that occur in water deeper than half their wavelength.

Wind reference

Wind is named based on the direction it comes from, e.g., North Wind.

Thermocline

A layer in the ocean where temperature changes rapidly with depth.

Halocline

A layer in the ocean where salinity changes rapidly with depth.

Fetch

The distance over which wind blows, affecting wave formation.

Tsunamis

A type of wave that occurs in shallow water.

Tides

There are two high tides and two low tides each day.

Diurnal tides

Tides that are unequal in height.

Semi-diurnal tides

Tides that are equal in height.

Lunar day

A lunar day is 24 hours and 50 minutes; tides occur 50 minutes later each day.

Neap tide

Occurs when the sun and moon are at right angles to each other.

Falling tide

The period when the water level is decreasing.

Incoming tide

The period when the water level is rising.

Abundant ions in seawater

The most common ions include NaCl, CaCO3, Mg, and K.