Carbon dioxide diffuses (moves from a higher concentration to a lower concentration) into the ocean but is affected by the salinity of the water. Which choice BEST describes what you would expect the absorption of CO2 to be in the Dead Sea (known for its high salinity)?
a. increased diffusion of CO2 in the Dead Sea
b. more diffusion of CO2 in the Dead Sea
c. less diffusion of CO2 in the Dead Sea
d. no diffusion of CO2 in the Dead Sea
c. less diffusion of CO2 in the Dead Sea
c. less diffusion of CO2 in the Dead Sea
To determine the best choice, let's first understand how salinity affects the absorption of carbon dioxide (CO2) in water.
The solubility of CO2 in water is influenced by various factors, such as temperature, pressure, and salinity. Higher salinity can decrease the solubility of CO2 in water.
In the case of the Dead Sea, which is known for its high salinity, we can expect that the absorption of CO2 would be affected. The water in the Dead Sea has a salinity of around 34% compared to the average ocean salinity of about 3.5%.
Based on this understanding, the best choice would be:
c. less diffusion of CO2 in the Dead Sea
Due to the high salinity of the Dead Sea, the solubility of CO2 decreases. As a result, there would be less diffusion or absorption of CO2 into the water compared to areas with lower salinity.