Chemical oceanography is the study of interactions between elements and the world's oceans. Seawater contains nearly every element on Earth and has a consistent salt concentration of around 35 parts per thousand. Ocean water properties like temperature, salinity, and density vary with depth. Chemical oceanographers sample the ocean using devices like CTD rosettes and Niskin bottles to study problems like hypoxia and dead zones caused by low dissolved oxygen levels.

1. 2. Chemical Oceanography

2. Lets take a quiz to see how much you know! http://ga.water.usgs.gov/edu/sc3.html (1) Water contracts (gets smaller) when it freezes. (2) Water has a high surface tension. (3) Condensation is water coming out of the air. (4) More things can be dissolved in sulfuric acid than in water. (5) Rainwater is the purest form of water. (6) It takes more energy to heat water at room temperature to 212o F than it does to change 212o F water to steam. (7) If you evaporate an 8-inch glass full of water from the Great Salt Lake (with a salinity of about 20% by weight), you will end up with about 1 inch of salt. (8) Sea water is slightly more basic (the pH value is higher) than most natural fresh water. (9) Raindrops are tear-shaped. (10) Water boils quicker at Denver, Co. than at the beach.

3. What is Chemical Oceanography and why are we learning it now? IT IS: “The study of the interactions between the elements and the world’s oceans”

5. Other Cool Stuff You Should Know About Ocean Water: 3) Water Temperature, Salinity, and Density change with Depth **LOOK OUT!!! Very Important Vocab Below!**

7. How do we know? We sample! Primary Sampling Gear for Chemical Oceanography: CTD Rosette (a collection of water sampling bottles)

8. Niskin Bottles (can be used on a Rosette or alone)  The “messenger”

9. What problems do chemical oceanographers study? Hypoxia – low DO (dissolved oxygen) **why is this a problem? Hint: take a deep breath and think about it! Dead Zones! What does the picture above have to do with the picture to the left?