1. Properties of Ocean Water
Mr. Silva
Ag Earth Science

2. Properties of Ocean Water
• Ocean water is a complex solution of
dissolved gases and solids, small particles
and tiny organisms that sustains a variety
of plants and animal life.
• Ocean water is only 96.5 % pure water.

3. Properties of Ocean Water
• There are about 75 different chemicals in
the ocean.
• The 6 most abundant
– Chlorine
– Sodium
– Magnesium
– Sulfur
– Calcium
– Potassium

4. Properties of Ocean Water
• 1. Salinity of Ocean Water
a. Salt (sodium chloride) makes up 78 % of the
ocean’s solids
b. Salinity: The amount of dissolved solids in
ocean water as the form of salt

5. Properties of Ocean Water
– c. Salinity increases with evaporation rate
and depth
i. Tropical waters have a higher salinity than polar
waters
ii. Surface waters have a higher salinity than
greater depths
– d. The relative amounts of dissolved
solids in the ocean is constant (although
specific locations may differ) due to a
continuous mixing of all parts of the ocean

6. Properties of Ocean Water
• 2. Temperature of Ocean Water
– a. Ocean water absorbs infrared
wavelengths of sunlight
– b. Surface Temperature
i. Infrared waves are completely absorbed in the
surface layer of water
• Constant mixing distributes the heat downward
• Ocean water temperature decreases with
increasing depth

7. Properties of Ocean Water
• c. Just below surface water, the
temperature drops sharply
i. Warm water cannot mix easily with cold,
denser water
ii. Thermocline: the zone of rapid temperature
change