Chemical Composition of Seawater
What are the major components of seawater?
1. Sodium chloride 2. Magnesium chloride 3. Sodium sulfate 4. Calcium chloride 5. Potassium chloride 6. Calcium sulfate
Answer:
The major components of seawater include sodium chloride, magnesium chloride, sodium sulfate, calcium chloride, potassium chloride, and calcium sulfate.
Seawater is composed of a mixture of various salts and minerals that make up its chemical composition. The most abundant components of seawater are sodium chloride (table salt) and magnesium chloride. Sodium sulfate, calcium chloride, potassium chloride, and calcium sulfate are also present in seawater in varying concentrations.
These components contribute to the salinity of seawater and play a crucial role in the ocean's ecosystem. They also affect the density, conductivity, and freezing point of seawater, which are important factors in oceanography and marine biology.
Overall, the chemical composition of seawater is a complex mixture of salts and minerals that are essential for sustaining marine life and regulating various oceanic processes.