Ocean FormationHow did the oceans form??

Formation of the Ocean

• Earth is approximately 4.6 Billion Years Old

• Oceans formed 2 possible ways:– Comets– Volcanism

Comets

• Comets hit the Earth and released water • The water filled the ocean basins over

geologic time

Volcanism

• Volcanoes release Water Vapor, Carbon Dioxide and other gases

• Water vapor condensed to form water droplets that formed the oceans

Chemical Properties of Seawater

• 96.5% Water• 3.5% Dissolved

salts– NaCl is most

abundant

• Salinity – Measure of the amount of dissolved

salts in seawater– Expressed in ppt (Parts per thousand)

35 ppt

How Does the Water Become Salty???

• Volcanic gases contain chlorine and sulfur dioxide which dissolve into water

• Weathering of rocks and minerals

Salt Removal

• Sea Spray• Evaporate

Formation– Water

evaporates and salt is left behind

Desalinization• Processes that turns saltwater into

freshwater

• Distillation– Water heated and evaporated– Water vapor cooled and condensed as

freshwater

• Reverse Osmosis– Seawater pressed through semi

permeable membrane that allows water, not NaCl to pass through

Why would we want to remove salt?

• Humans need freshwater to survive• Of the 3% of freshwater, most is

unavailable to us! (glaciers)• In case of drought conditions, water would

still be available

Negative Effects

• Environmental concerns– Loss of habitat, waste (salt) disposal

• Costs Money and uses Energy• Greenhouse gas emissions