How Is the Mass of the Top 3.2 Meters of the Ocean Calculated?

[Smazmbazm]

How would one work out the total mass for the top 3.2 meters of the ocean?

Thanks in advance!

 

[Bandersnatch]

You could easily approximate it by taking the total area of oceans and multiplying it by 3.2 metres and the denisty of salt water.
It will be an overestimate, though. You'd need to take into account the shape of continental shelfs for a more precise answer.

 

[flatmaster]

It will be an overestimate, though. You'd need to take into account the shape of continental shelfs for a more precise answer.

So the location of the bottom changes that much over 3.2 meters of depth?

 

[Bandersnatch]

I doubt it, acutally. It is an overestimate, all the same.

 

[quiconnait]

more reasons for an overestimate

Given that the top 3.2 meters of seawater would be less dense than the lower sections (we do not have a perfect diffusion, after all), and that there are algae and such that float within the water and hence have less density, i would hypothesize that the esimate given previously would overestimate quite substantially, given the huge volume being approximated.

 

[snorkack]

Given that the top 3.2 meters of seawater would be less dense than the lower sections (we do not have a perfect diffusion, after all),

No, but we do have pretty good turbulent mixing.

 

[berkeman]

How would one work out the total mass for the top 3.2 meters of the ocean?

Thanks in advance!

Thread moved to Homework Help.

@Smazmbazm -- You *must* show some effort of your own on schoolwork-type questions. Please check your PMs and then post your work here in the thread.