1. The Oceans

2. Today’s Lesson • The Oceans • Start Experiment • Complete Air Poster

3. The Oceans • When the earth’s atmosphere first cooled below 100 C, water vapor first condensed to liquid water in the form of precipitation (rain mainly). • This was the start of the oceans, which helped play a large factor on earth’s surface and our everyday lives. • Around 70% of the earth’s surface is covered by water.

4. Chemistry of Oceans • The good thing about water is that it works as a polar solvent, meaning that it dissolves many different compounds and elements. • There are possibly thousands or millions of compounds and elements dissolved in our oceans, but around 85% of it is Chlorine and Sodium ions. • A table on Page 194 shows you the general breakdown of dissolved solids found in 1 kg of sea water.

5. How is it balanced? • Billions of dissolved solids make their way into the oceans every year – but some complex systems help to keep them in check. • For example, large amounts of Carbon Dioxide are converted to oxygen by phytoplankton (microscopic plant life). • The whole ocean ecosystem revolves around these small critters. Kill them and we kill our food source and our oxygen source. • Did you know that over half of the world’s oxygen comes from the ocean??

6. Limestone • Limestone, which is also known as Calcium Carbonate is made from shell and mostly broken down pieces of coral. • It has many uses in industry (concrete) but it’s the main storage area for Carbon Dioxide. • When limestone is being produced, it locks in massive amounts of Carbon Dioxide which makes the amount of Carbon Dioxide humans produce look puny in comparison.

7. Possible Problems • Limestone needs Coral Reefs to be made. • Coral Reefs need specific temperatures to live – if it’s too hot them they die or become bleached. • As such – if we kill our Coral Reefs through climate change and pollution we will cause major problems with Carbon Dioxide levels.

8. Possible Carbon Dioxide Solutions • When water is heated, it can contain more dissolved elements and compounds (such as Carbon Dioxide). • As such, it may be possible to add extra Carbon Dioxide into the oceans and allow the phytoplankton look after the rest  • Hydrocarbons such as gas and oil also hold a large amount of Carbon Dioxide. They are basically made from dead phytoplankton!!

9. Questions • Read Page 194-195 and answer Q 1-7. • Then start experiment • Then complete Air Poster. This is due Tuesday 31st of January!!

10. Gases Are Great!! • For this exciting activity, we will be completing an A3 poster on one of the following gases: (choose one) • Nitrogen • Argon • Oxygen • Carbon Dioxide • Ozone • Sulfur Dioxide • Water Vapor

11. Include the following: • Who found your gas? When was it found? • Draw an electron dot diagram for your gas • Include basic information about your gas (MP, BP, Ar/Mr, amount found in atmosphere, etc) • Explain the cycle on earth for your gas (including diagram) • What is your gas used for in Industry? Explain giving examples

12. Continued • Is your gas need or harmful to living organisms? Explain. • How can industry get your gas in a pure form? • Does your gas cause any problems (for industry or living things)?? • Anything else of interest • A simple bibliography