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