Oceanography
Steven Eisenreich 1.
a. Briefly define Salinity list major cations and anions contributing most to seawater salinity.
b. identify the two major processes contributing to seawater Salinity.
c. Picture of the oceanic conveyer belt. Explain how
salinity, temperature and mixing combine to create this phenomenon.
d. Salinity is a conservative parameter in seawater. On the diagram below you can see how salinity varies from the estuary to the sea mouth. This can be used to
characterize the conservative-non-conservative behavior of elements. e.g. conservative = mixing only,
non-conservative =source or sink. 2.
a. Characterize by name the elemental behavior of seawater elements demonstrated in concentration -depth profiles a,b and c.
b. Provide examples of elements corresponding to each seawater profile
c. describe briefly the processes (text, drawing,
plots)responsible for the observed seawater element behavior.
d. Provide an estimate residence time(yrs)in seawater for elements having concentration-depth profiles such as a,b,c
e. Describe how the three processes highlighted above (gas exchange, river flux, and biological pump)impact the cycling of C species in seawater.
f. How does oceans acidification affect the ability of the ocean to act as a major sink for atmospheric CO2?
4.
a. Define Alkalinity of seawater
b. What chemical species contribute to Alkalinity c. Given is the pC-pH diagram below what is the
concentration of HCO3- and CO32- at pH 8? d. What is the effect of ocean acidification (pH
decreases)on [CO32-](Carbonate) and what is its likely
e. In an solution open to the atmosphere, explain why dissolved [CO2] represents only 1% of the DIC?
Ann Vanreusel
1. What are the 3 main processes responsible for surface ocean currents?
2. Explain each process using the figures below (3 world globes)
3. Explain the most important characteristics of
hydrothermal vents (geological, chemical, biological) 4. Name the organism you see on the picture and describe how
