Would you expect to find more dissolved oxygen in ocean water around the North Pole or in ocean water nearer the equator?Why?
How does temperature affect the solubility of gasses? THen, what removes dissolved O2 in seawater producing CO2? Are those organisms in polar areas?
You would expect to find more dissolved oxygen in ocean water nearer the North Pole compared to ocean water nearer the equator. This is due to various factors:
1. Temperature: Cold water holds more dissolved oxygen than warm water. The North Pole region experiences lower temperatures compared to the equator, resulting in higher oxygen solubility.
2. Mixing: Ocean water around the North Pole undergoes more mixing and vertical circulation due to the presence of colder and denser water sinking, which helps to replenish and distribute oxygen throughout the water column.
3. Biological Productivity: The equatorial regions are characterized by high biological productivity, where there is a higher consumption of oxygen by marine organisms. This consumption may lead to a depletion of dissolved oxygen levels in equatorial ocean waters compared to the less biologically active waters near the North Pole.
It is important to note that while the North Pole region tends to have higher dissolved oxygen levels, there may be localized variations based on factors such as water depth, currents, and proximity to sources of organic matter decomposition.
To determine whether you would expect to find more dissolved oxygen in ocean water around the North Pole or in ocean water nearer the equator, we need to consider several factors.
The dissolved oxygen concentration in ocean water primarily depends on two main factors: temperature and biological activity.
1. Temperature: Cold water holds more dissolved oxygen than warm water. This is because the solubility of oxygen is higher in colder environments. Near the North Pole, the water is generally colder compared to water near the equator. Therefore, based on temperature alone, we would expect to find more dissolved oxygen in ocean water around the North Pole.
2. Biological Activity: Ocean water near the equator often experiences high biological activity. This is due to the abundance of sunlight, which supports the growth of plants and algae, leading to increased photosynthesis. During photosynthesis, plants and algae release oxygen into the water. Hence, areas with high biological activity tend to have higher dissolved oxygen levels. As a result, ocean water nearer the equator can also have higher dissolved oxygen concentrations due to the increased biological activity.
Considering these factors, it is difficult to definitively determine whether there would be more dissolved oxygen in ocean water around the North Pole or near the equator. The colder water near the North Pole favors higher dissolved oxygen levels, while the higher biological activity near the equator also promotes higher concentrations. Additional factors like water circulation, currents, and local environmental conditions can further influence the dissolved oxygen levels in these regions. Therefore, it is essential to conduct specific measurements and studies to determine the dissolved oxygen concentration accurately in each location.