Earth Science, Books a la Carte Edition and Modified Mastering Geology with eText and Access Card (14th Edition)
Earth Science, Books a la Carte Edition and Modified Mastering Geology with eText and Access Card (14th Edition)
14th Edition
ISBN: 9780133885019
Author: Edward J. Tarbuck, Frederick K. Lutgens, Dennis G. Tasa
Publisher: PEARSON
Question
Book Icon
Chapter 14, Problem 1GST

a)

To determine

The seasonal changes in the amount of sea ice influencing the salinity of the remaining surface water.

a)

Expert Solution
Check Mark

Answer to Problem 1GST

Surface salinity can vary seasonally at the poles as sea ice freezes and melts. When sea ice is formed, only the water portion of the ocean freezes, leaving behind all dissolved salts in the liquid ocean. This serves to increase the salinity. As sea ice melts, salinity decreases.

Explanation of Solution

Surface salinity in polar latitudes varies seasonally due to the formation and melting of sea ice. In winter, when the seawater freezes, only a small portion of salt becomes a part of ice and hence the salinity of the remaining water increases. During summer, when seawater melts, the freshwater from the melting ice gets added to the seawater by diluting the solution resulting in decrease in salinity.

b)

To determine

The density of water greater before or after the formation of sea ice.

b)

Expert Solution
Check Mark

Answer to Problem 1GST

Water density is greater after sea ice forms because there is a greater concentration of dissolved solids left behind in the water.

Explanation of Solution

When sea ice is formed, only the water portion of the ocean freezes, leaving behind all dissolved salts in the liquid ocean. Hence, the water density will be greater after the formation of sea ice because there is a greater amount of dissolved solids left behind in the water.

Want to see more full solutions like this?

Subscribe now to access step-by-step solutions to millions of textbook problems written by subject matter experts!
Knowledge Booster
Background pattern image
Recommended textbooks for you
Text book image
Applications and Investigations in Earth Science ...
Earth Science
ISBN:9780134746241
Author:Edward J. Tarbuck, Frederick K. Lutgens, Dennis G. Tasa
Publisher:PEARSON
Text book image
Exercises for Weather & Climate (9th Edition)
Earth Science
ISBN:9780134041360
Author:Greg Carbone
Publisher:PEARSON
Text book image
Environmental Science
Earth Science
ISBN:9781260153125
Author:William P Cunningham Prof., Mary Ann Cunningham Professor
Publisher:McGraw-Hill Education
Text book image
Earth Science (15th Edition)
Earth Science
ISBN:9780134543536
Author:Edward J. Tarbuck, Frederick K. Lutgens, Dennis G. Tasa
Publisher:PEARSON
Text book image
Environmental Science (MindTap Course List)
Earth Science
ISBN:9781337569613
Author:G. Tyler Miller, Scott Spoolman
Publisher:Cengage Learning
Text book image
Physical Geology
Earth Science
ISBN:9781259916823
Author:Plummer, Charles C., CARLSON, Diane H., Hammersley, Lisa
Publisher:Mcgraw-hill Education,