Marine Science Chapters

2.1.0

Seawater

by Genevieve (Genny) Anderson, Biological Sciences Department, Santa Barbara City College

Seawater

Seawater covers over seventy percent of the surface of our planet, Earth. This seawater is remarkably similar in its salinity, pH and basic current patterns in all the oceans. Other aspects of seawater (like temperature, dissolved gases and nutrients) can vary but often the variations are somewhat predictable. These lessons will introduce you to the major aspects of seawater, their approximate (expected) values, the factors that can make them change, and their effects on marine life. Each different area of the ocean has its own signature salinity, temperature, dissolved gases, nutrients, pH and current patterns.


Seawater Seawater Composition


Seawater Movement




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(Revised 6 August 2007)
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