Earth Science II Oceanography · Properties of Seawater
Virginia SOL OC.3
Virginia SOL OC.3 is part of the Properties of Seawater strand in Earth Science II Oceanography (Science). Under this Standards of Learning objective, students investigate and understand that the properties of seawater enable distinct biological and physical characteristics within the ocean and ecosystems. Below is what OC.3 covers in plain language, the specific skills it is assessed on, the key concepts to review, and how to practice OC.3 for the Virginia SOL test.
What SOL OC.3 means
Investigate and understand that the properties of seawater enable distinct biological and physical characteristics within the ocean and ecosystems.
Skills you’ll practice for OC.3
- Explain how the properties of seawater (pH, dissolved oxygen, turbidity, density, and salinity) affect biodiversity in ocean ecosystems.
- Plan and conduct an investigation to determine how salinity affects density of water.
- Make, support, and evaluate a claim about the relationship between the density and depth of seawater.
- Explain how the relationships among temperature, density, depth, and salinity can be used to predict effects on ocean currents.
- Explain how the properties of the thermocline, halocline, and pycnocline create distinct ecosystems.
- Describe the variation of the transmission of light through zones of the ocean and determine biological adaptations that allow organisms to survive within each zone.
- Analyze data to understand the relationship among dissolved gases, temperature, and pressure with increasing depth and effects on marine life.
- Develop and use a model to explain thermohaline circulation and the effect on ecosystems.
- Plan and conduct an investigation that demonstrates the ocean's capacity to serve as a buffer and predict the effects of changing pH levels on marine ecosystems.
Key concepts covered by OC.3
- seawater properties
- pH
- dissolved oxygen
- turbidity
- density
- salinity
- biodiversity
- salinity investigation
- density measurement
- experimental design
- density-depth relationship
- claim evaluation
- temperature
- depth
- ocean currents
- prediction
- thermocline
- halocline
- pycnocline
- ecosystem formation
- light transmission
- ocean zones
- biological adaptations
- dissolved gases
- pressure
- marine life
- thermohaline circulation
- model development
- ecosystem effects
- ocean buffering
- pH change
- investigation
- marine ecosystems
How to study and practice SOL OC.3
Start with a quick diagnostic to see whether OC.3 is already solid, then work each skill above with guided notes, flashcards, and SOL-style practice questions. For official released items, see our Virginia SOL practice tests guide and how to study for the SOL test.
Frequently asked questions about SOL OC.3
What is Virginia SOL OC.3?
SOL OC.3 is a Earth Science II Oceanography Standard of Learning in the Properties of Seawater strand. It expects students to investigate and understand that the properties of seawater enable distinct biological and physical characteristics within the ocean and ecosystems.
What skills does SOL OC.3 cover?
SOL OC.3 is assessed on 9 skills: explain how the properties of seawater (pH, dissolved oxygen, turbidity, density, and salinity) affect biodiversity in ocean ecosystems; plan and conduct an investigation to determine how salinity affects density of water; make, support, and evaluate a claim about the relationship between the density and depth of seawater; explain how the relationships among temperature, density, depth, and salinity can be used to predict effects on ocean currents; explain how the properties of the thermocline, halocline, and pycnocline create distinct ecosystems; describe the variation of the transmission of light through zones of the ocean and determine biological adaptations that allow organisms to survive within each zone; analyze data to understand the relationship among dissolved gases, temperature, and pressure with increasing depth and effects on marine life; develop and use a model to explain thermohaline circulation and the effect on ecosystems; plan and conduct an investigation that demonstrates the ocean's capacity to serve as a buffer and predict the effects of changing pH levels on marine ecosystems.
What strand of Earth Science II Oceanography is SOL OC.3 in?
SOL OC.3 belongs to the Properties of Seawater reporting strand of the Earth Science II Oceanography Virginia Standards of Learning.
How do I study and practice for SOL OC.3?
Start with a diagnostic to see whether OC.3 is already solid, then work the 9 skills above with guided notes, flashcards, and SOL-style practice questions. For official released items, see the Virginia SOL practice tests guide.