Properties of Sea Water
Physical Properties
1. "Density": Seawater is denser than
freshwater, with an average density of around
1.03 g/cm³.
2. "Salinity": Seawater has a high salinity, with
an average of around 3.5% (35 parts per
thousand).
3. *Temperature": Seawater temperature
varies depending on location and depth,
ranging from around -1.8°C to 30°C.
4. "pH": Seawater has a slightly alkaline pH,
ranging from around 7.9 to 8.4.
Chemical Properties
1. "Major ions": Seawater contains a variety of
ions, including sodium, chloride, magnesium,
sulfate, and calcium.
2. "Nutrients": Seawater contains essential
nutrients for marine life, such as nitrogen,
phosphorus, and iron.
3. "Dissolved gases*: Seawater contains
dissolved gases, including oxygen, nitrogen,
and carbon dioxide.
4. "pH buffering": Seawater has a natural pH
buffering capacity due to the presence of
bicarbonate and carbonate ions.
Biological Properties
1. *Marine life": Seawater supports a vast
array of marine life, from tiny plankton to
massive blue whales.
2. "Primary production": Seawater is the site
of primary production, where phytoplankton
convert sunlight into organic matter.
3. "Decomposition": Seawater is also the site
of decomposition, where organic matter is
broken down by microorganisms.
4. "Nutrient cycling": Seawater plays a critical
role in nutrient cycling, with nutrients being
exchanged between the ocean and the
atmosphere.
Other Properties
1. "Viscosity": Seawater has a higher viscosity
than freshwater, due to its higher salinity and
density.
2. "Surface tension": Seawater has a higher
surface tension than freshwater, due to its
higher salinity and density.
3. "Optical properties": Seawater has distinct
optical properties, including absorption and
scattering of light.
4. "Acoustic properties": Seawater has distinct
acoustic properties, including the speed and
absorption of sound.
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