The Chemistry of Ocean Water

The Chemistry of Ocean Water

Part 1: Ocean Chemistry (20 points) Although this assignment and the textbook chapter this week focuses on inorganic ocean chemistry the MarineBio Ocean Chemistry page draws the distinction between organic and inorganic ocean chemistry. Additionally, the MarinoBio summary addresses the relationship between ocean chemistry and water density variations associated with deep ocean circulation which we will be studying soon. Read the short MarineBio Ocean Chemistry page and answer the following questions. https://marinebio.org/oceans/ocean-chemistry/

 a) What is the difference between inorganic and organic chemistry in the ocean? b) What are salts? c) Where do the chemical components that make up ocean salts come from? d) What is osmoregulation?

Part 2: Inorganic Ocean Chemistry: (80 points) More than 70 chemical elements are dissolved ocean water, however; the following ten elements make up 99.9% of the ocean salts. Below is a list of the ten most abundant dissolved elements found in ocean water and the five most abundant dissolved compounds.

 Logon to the interactive periodic table of elements: http://www.rsc.org/chemsoc/visualelements/pages/pertable_j.htm

 Find and list the chemical symbol for the elements listed below (i.e., O, H,) or chemical formula for compounds (i.e., CO2). Also, find one interesting ocean-related fact or practical use for each element or compound (see: “uses and properties.” For example, one interesting fact included is “supply risk.”)

 Please Note: This specific website to not required to complete this assignment. There are other excellent interactive periodic tables available online. Students are welcome to use other sources. It is best to include full references from other sources. Calcium Magnesium Potassium Chlorine Sulfate (Sulphur or Sulfur) Sodium Borate (Boron) Bromine Strontium Fluoride These are five other essential elements, gasses, and compounds found in ocean water Oxygen Carbon Dioxide Hydrogen Nitrogen Argon