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

Learn about the properties of ocean water, including temperature ranges, salinity, and density. Understand how these factors interact and affect the ocean's behavior.