US Geological Survey
Usgs: Water Science for Schools Uses of Saline Water
This U.S. Geological Survey website explains a variety of uses for saline water. Pie graphs and bar graphs are used to illustrate the various uses. Click Home to access the site in Spanish.
NOAA
Noaa: Ocean Explorer: Hot, Cold, Fresh and Salty
Young scholars simulate ocean water characteristics in order to recognize that the effects of salinity and temperature are the drivers of thermohaline circulation.
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Ocean Water: Density
For this lesson students will learn about the stratification of the ocean by using a simulation to show the different densities. The simulation explores how temperature, salinity, and wind affect the development of water stratification.
US Geological Survey
Usgs: Water Science for Schools Why Is the Ocean Salty?
This U.S. Geological Survey website offers one explanation of why the ocean is salty. Click Home to access the site in Spanish.
Rice University
Rice University: Museums Teaching Planet Earth: What Is the Hydrosphere?
Focus is on the hydrosphere and contains the definition as well as characteristics of the ocean and the effect of the ocean on climate.
Energy for Sustainable Development
Kids and Energy: Ocean Energy
Generating technologies for deriving electrical power from the ocean include tidal power, wave power, ocean thermal energy conversion, ocean currents, ocean winds and salinity gradients. Of these, the three most well-developed...
Encyclopedia of Earth
Encyclopedia of Earth: Atlantic Ocean
Information on the features, size, salinity, temperature, ocean floor, currents, and tides of the Atlantic Ocean.
NASA
Nasa: Climate Kids: What Is Happening in the Ocean?
Find out why the oceans on Earth are so vital to the cycling of matter and energy through its spheres.
Other
Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences: Salinity and Deep Ocean Currents
For this activity, students will investigate how temperature and currents affect the salinity of ocean water, making predictions after studying ocean maps. It is recommended that teachers do the experiment themselves before presenting it...
Georgia Department of Education
Ga Virtual Learning: Physical Oceanography
A student learning module with a focus on the relationship of temperature and salinity with density, ocean-influenced weather patterns, and how light and sound move through ocean water.
Georgia Department of Education
Ga Virtual Learning: Chemical Oceanography
Students study the chemical characteristics of the World Ocean, water chemistry, element cycles, and chemical resources in this multi-media learning module.
University of California
University of California: Seawater Density & Salinity [Pdf]
Describes the properties of seawater and the variations depending on its location, e.g., near a shoreline, in an estuary, or as sea ice. Discusses the instruments scientists use to measure the density of water and explains other...
Science Buddies
Science Buddies: Harmful Algal Blooms in the Chesapeake Bay
Harmful algal blooms occur when algae, which form the base of the ocean food web, grow in massive numbers and produce toxic or harmful effects on people, fish, shellfish, marine mammals, and birds. In this project you will learn how to...
Science Buddies
Science Buddies: Can Water Float on Water?
Of course it can, you say: ice is water and ice floats. And you're right. But we're talking about water in the liquid phase Can liquid water float on water? The goal of this project is to investigate what happens to layers of water with...
Enchanted Learning
Enchanted Learning: Zoom School: Oceans
Find out why the oceans are blue and what causes waves by clicking here. There is a table of information about the four oceans as well as interesting facts on waves, salinity, and tides.
Science Buddies
Science Buddies: From Brine to Beverage: Solar Powered Salt Removal
In this science fair project you'll discover how to turn the ocean into a source of freshwater by using the power of the Sun, and the water cycle. You will ultimately find just how salinity affects this process.
NOAA
Noaa: More Than Salt in Salt Water [Pdf]
Realize that there is more in ocean water than just salt. Find out about the salinity of water and how changes in salinity may affect organisms living in the water.
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Layering Liquids
A lab activity to show students how different densities of liquid layer on top of each other by using four different colored liquids that contain different levels of salinity. This activity can also be used in an ocean unit where...
Scholastic
Scholastic: Study Jams! Science: Earth's Oceans
Oceans contain 97% of the water on the Earth and are home to a huge number of living creatures. View an informative slideshow of the ocean and its inhabitants and then test yourself on what you learned.
CK-12 Foundation
Ck 12: Earth Science: Seawater Chemistry Study Guide
[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] This study guide summarizes key points about the composition of ocean water. Includes a few questions to check for understanding.
American Museum of Natural History
American Museum of Natural History: O Logy: Stuff to Do: Density of Salty Water
An experiment to test what happens when ocean water hits a freshwater estuary. Each step is demonstrated with photographs and the difference between salinity and density is explained.
Texas Instruments
Texas Instruments: Finding the % Salt in Seawater
In this experiment, students are asked to collect data in order to prepare a calibration curve showing the relationship between the percentage of salt and the mass of salt water. Using this graph, students will be able to determine the...
US Geological Survey
Usgs: "Thirsty? How 'Bout Seawater?"
This U.S. Geological Survey website explains the desalinization method used by some communities to change sea water into drinking water. Click Home to access the site in Spanish.
CK-12 Foundation
Ck 12: Earth Science: Seawater Chemistry
[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] Describes dissolved ions in seawater and their source.