Ocean Properties: Temperature, Salinity, and Density

Ocean Properties

Temperature

• Ocean temperature ranges from -1.8°C to 30°C (average: 17°C)
• Temperature affects density, with warmer water being less dense
• Thermal expansion: warmer water expands, contributing to sea level rise

Salinity

• Average salinity: 3.5% (35 ppt)
• Salinity affects density, with saltier water being denser
• Freshwater input (e.g., river runoff) dilutes salinity

Density

• Ocean water density ranges from 1.02 to 1.03 g/cm³
• Density affects ocean circulation and marine life habitats

Acidity

• Ocean pH ranges from 7.9 to 8.3 (average: 8.1)
• Ocean acidification: decrease in pH due to increased CO₂ absorption

Tides

Definition

• Periodic rise and fall of sea level caused by gravitational interactions between Earth, Moon, and Sun

Types of Tides

• Diurnal tide: one high and one low tide per day
• Semi-diurnal tide: two high and two low tides per day (most common)
• Mixed tide: combination of diurnal and semi-diurnal patterns

Tidal Cycles

• Tidal day: 24 hours and 50 minutes (Moon's rotation period)
• Spring tides: highest high tide and lowest low tide (occur during new moon and full moon)
• Neap tides: lowest high tide and highest low tide (occur during quarter moon)

Factors Affecting Tides

• Moon's gravitational pull: primary driver of tidal cycles
• Sun's gravitational pull: secondary driver, enhances or cancels Moon's effect
• Wind and atmospheric pressure: modify tidal patterns
• Coastal geometry and ocean depth: influence local tidal patterns

Ocean Properties

Temperature

• Ocean temperature ranges from -1.8°C to 30°C, with an average of 17°C
• Warmer water is less dense due to temperature affecting density
• Thermal expansion causes warmer water to expand, contributing to sea level rise

Salinity

• Average salinity is 3.5% (35 ppt)
• Salinity affects density, making saltier water denser
• Freshwater input, such as river runoff, dilutes salinity levels

Density

• Ocean water density ranges from 1.02 to 1.03 g/cm³
• Density affects ocean circulation and marine life habitats

Acidity

• Ocean pH ranges from 7.9 to 8.3, with an average of 8.1
• Ocean acidification occurs due to increased CO₂ absorption, decreasing pH levels

Tides

Definition

• Tides are periodic rises and falls of sea level caused by gravitational interactions between Earth, Moon, and Sun

Types of Tides

• Diurnal tides have one high and one low tide per day
• Semi-diurnal tides have two high and two low tides per day (most common type)
• Mixed tides are a combination of diurnal and semi-diurnal patterns

Tidal Cycles

• A tidal day is 24 hours and 50 minutes, equivalent to the Moon's rotation period
• Spring tides have the highest high tide and lowest low tide, occurring during new moon and full moon
• Neap tides have the lowest high tide and highest low tide, occurring during quarter moon

Factors Affecting Tides

• The Moon's gravitational pull is the primary driver of tidal cycles
• The Sun's gravitational pull is a secondary driver, enhancing or canceling the Moon's effect
• Wind and atmospheric pressure modify tidal patterns
• Coastal geometry and ocean depth influence local tidal patterns