Question

The two most abundant elements in the oceans are sodium and chlorine. Together they make a salt, halite. Sodium is dissolved in groundwater and river water that flows into the ocean.
What is the MOST LIKELY source of chlorine?

A)volcanic gases
B)subduction zones
C)decomposing bedrock
D)decomposing sea animals

Answer 1

Answer:

Volcanic gases. (Ans A)

Explanation:

Ocean water is salty because of the presence of dissolved salt. When water contact with a rock it starts weathering processes and this process starts to dissolve the soluble elements such as sodium out of the rock.

In volcanic gases, lots of chlorine ions are present in the atmosphere, these ions easily dissolve with water and produce the large flux of chloride that splashes into the oceans. So, the most common source of chloride ions in ocean waters comes from the volcanic explosions.