Factors that affect the density of Seawater

1
Factors that affect the density of Seawater

• Density is increased when
• Salinity increases (this is the amount of
  dissolved salts present in a quantity of sea
  water)
• Pressure increased because particles are squeezed
  closer together
• Temperature is decreased because substance
  contract (shrink) as they cool, thus there are
  more particles in a smaller area

2
Density structure (zones) of the ocean

• Surface zone (or mixed zone) Temp. and Sal. are
  relatively constant b/c of waves and currents
  this layer represents about 2 of the oceans
  volume

3

• 2. Pynocline zone density increases with depth
• Temp. drops rapidly (this rapid change is called
  the thermocline) the rate of dropping is
  influenced by latitude, season, currents, ect.
• Salinity also increases rapidly (this is called
  the halocline)
• With both temp. dropping and sal. Increasing,
  this has a noticeable affect on density, hence
  the pynocline
• This zone represents about 18 of oceans volume

4

• Deep zone little change is noted in water at
  this level (about 1000 m below pynocline) about
  80 of oceans volume
• SOOO. what would the water be like on the bottom
  of the ocean?