How do you calculate the osmolarity of seawater?

Answer 1

You add up the molarities of the constituent ions.

The composition of seawater varies around the world, but the concentrations of the six most abundant ions in a "typical" sample are:

#"Ion"color(white)(m)"c/g·L"^"-1"color(white)(m)"c/mmol·L"^"-1"# #stackrel(———————————)("Cl"^"-"color(white)(mll)19.35 color(white)(mmm)545.8)# #"Na"^"+"color(white)(m)10.76color(white)(mmm)468.0# #"SO"_4^"2-"color(white)(mll)2.71 color(white)(mmmll)81.2# #"Mg"^(2+)color(white)(m)1.29color(white)(mmmll)53.1# #"Ca"^(2+)color(white)(ml)0.41 color(white)(mmmll)10# #"K"^+color(white)(mml)0.40color(white)(mmmll)10# #stackrel(———————————)(color(white)(mmll)"TOTAL" = 1168)#
Thus, if you consider just the #"NaCl"#, the osmolarity of seawater is about 1000 mOsmol/L.

If you include the magnesium, calcium, potassium, and sulfate ions, the osmolarity is closer to 1200 mOsmol/L.

Sign up to view the whole answer

By signing up, you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

Sign up with email
Answer 2

The osmolarity of seawater can be calculated by summing the concentrations of all solutes dissolved in the seawater, including salts, gases, and other dissolved substances. This is typically measured in moles of solute per liter of seawater (mol/L). The primary components contributing to seawater osmolarity are sodium chloride (NaCl), magnesium sulfate (MgSO4), calcium chloride (CaCl2), and potassium chloride (KCl). By quantifying the concentrations of these solutes and accounting for their respective contributions to total osmolarity, the osmolarity of seawater can be accurately calculated.

Sign up to view the whole answer

By signing up, you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

Sign up with email
Answer from HIX Tutor

When evaluating a one-sided limit, you need to be careful when a quantity is approaching zero since its sign is different depending on which way it is approaching zero from. Let us look at some examples.

When evaluating a one-sided limit, you need to be careful when a quantity is approaching zero since its sign is different depending on which way it is approaching zero from. Let us look at some examples.

When evaluating a one-sided limit, you need to be careful when a quantity is approaching zero since its sign is different depending on which way it is approaching zero from. Let us look at some examples.

When evaluating a one-sided limit, you need to be careful when a quantity is approaching zero since its sign is different depending on which way it is approaching zero from. Let us look at some examples.

Not the question you need?

Drag image here or click to upload

Or press Ctrl + V to paste
Answer Background
HIX Tutor
Solve ANY homework problem with a smart AI
  • 98% accuracy study help
  • Covers math, physics, chemistry, biology, and more
  • Step-by-step, in-depth guides
  • Readily available 24/7