Temperature

These flashcards cover key concepts related to marine temperature dynamics, the impact of anthropogenic climate change, and specific case studies like 'The Blob.'

What is the composition of pure water?

Pure water is composed of 2 hydrogen molecules and one oxygen molecule (H2O).

What is the specific heat capacity of water?

The specific heat capacity of water is 1.00 calories g-1 ºC-1.

What happens to seawater when it contains solutes?

Seawater becomes more complex as it includes various solutes, which affect its boiling point, freezing point, and density.

What is thermocline in marine biology?

Thermocline is the area of water where the temperature decreases rapidly with increasing depth.

How does temperature affect the density of seawater?

Density of seawater is dependent on temperature, solute concentration, and pressure; warmer water is less dense.

What are the effects of marine heat waves?

Marine heat waves can lead to increased disease, low primary productivity, and disruption of marine food webs.

What was 'The Blob' and its significance?

'The Blob' was a marine heat wave from 2013-2016, noted for abnormally high sea surface temperatures and significant impacts on marine life.

What are some impacts of Marine Heat Waves?

They can increase metabolic rates, disrupt reproductive timing, and cause physiological stress in marine organisms.

How can the timing of low spring tides affect temperature fluctuations?

The time of low spring tide influences the extent of temperature fluctuations, with midday low tides inducing more extreme changes.

What are synergistic impacts observed in intertidal zones?

Increased water can reduce the solubility of oxygen, contributing to stress on intertidal organisms.

How do solutes affect the freezing and boiling points of seawater?

Solutes in seawater cause freezing point depression (lowering the freezing point to approximately -1.9 ^\circ C) and boiling point elevation compared to pure water.

What is the pycnocline?

The pycnocline is the layer in a body of water where the density increases rapidly with depth, typically driven by changes in temperature or salinity.

What is the halocline?

The halocline is the specific zone in the water column where salinity increases rapidly with increasing depth.

How does pressure change with ocean depth?

Hydrostatic pressure increases by approximately 1 \text{ atmosphere} for every 10 \text{ meters} of depth in the ocean.

How does salinity influence the density of seawater?

At a constant temperature, an increase in salinity leads to an increase in the density of seawater.

What is the relationship between temperature and oxygen solubility?

The solubility of oxygen in seawater is inversely related to temperature; as water warms, its capacity to hold dissolved oxygen decreases.