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