properties of seawater 1

Flashcards about marine ecology and oceanography, focusing on the properties of seawater.

Atom

The smallest unit that displays all properties of a material, consisting of a nucleus and orbiting electrons.

Nucleus

The center of an atom, consisting of positively charged protons and neutrally charged neutrons.

Ions

Atoms with either more or fewer electrons than protons, carrying an electrical charge.

Isotopes

Atoms containing the same number of protons but different numbers of neutrons.

Molecules

Chemically combined compounds formed by two or more atoms.

Calorie

The amount of heat needed to raise the temperature of 1 gram of water by 1 degree Celsius.

Melting

Transition from solid to liquid.

Evaporation (Vaporization)

Transition from liquid to gas.

Dipole

A molecule with a slightly positive end and a slightly negative end due to uneven distribution of electrons.

Hydrogen Bond

The electrostatic bond between water molecules caused by the dipole structure.

High Heat Capacity

Amount of heat needed to raise the temperature of one gram of water 1 degree Celsius.

Global Thermostatic Effect

The ability of water to moderate temperature changes on Earth's surface.

Marine Effect

The effect of oceans moderating temperature changes between day and night, and across seasons.

Continental Effect

Land areas experiencing greater temperature ranges between day and night, and during different seasons.

Cations

Positively charged ions.

Anions

Negatively charged ions.

Hydration

The process of water surrounding an ion.

Solvent

The material doing the dissolving in a solution; in seawater, it's water.

Solute

The material being dissolved in a solution; in seawater, it's salts.

Salinity

The total amount of salts dissolved in water, measured in parts per thousand (‰).

Nutrients

Compounds essential for biological production, including nitrogen, phosphorus, and silicon.

Trace Elements

Elements occurring in very small quantities (ppm or mmols) that are vitally important for life in the oceans or potentially toxic.

Principle of Constant Proportion

States that the absolute amount of salt in seawater varies, but the relative proportions of the ions is constant.

Chlorinity

The amount of halogens in seawater, usually measured to determine salinity.

Evaporation (as a salt sink)

Removal of water, leaving behind salt, which can lead to the formation of evaporite minerals.

Residence Time

The average length of time an ion remains in solution in the ocean.