MadSci Network: Environment
Query:

Re: will acidic oceans freeze at a different temperature?

Date: Wed Sep 9 10:12:58 2009
Posted By: Edward Hyer, Post-doc/Fellow, Aerosol Group, Marine Meteorology Division, Naval Research Lab
Area of science: Environment
ID: 1250921162.En
Message:

I do not believe there are significant interactions between ocean acidity (pH) and freezing/melting dynamics. If we consider pure water, addition of acid to reduce the pH will alter the freezing point, but only as a function of the mass of what we are adding, not the acidity. Additional CO2 dissolved in the ocean will not significantly change the amount of total material dissolved in the ocean, and will thus not significantly affect the freezing point. For a good primer on the composition of sea water and its implications, see http://www.marinebio.net/marinescience/02ocean/swcomposition.htm.


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