chemistry of seawater

Seawater's chemistry primarily involves water molecules and dissolved substances, mainly salts like sodium chloride. About 3.5% of seawater by weight is salts, resulting from minerals eroded from land and chemical reactions in the ocean. These salts ionize, creating positively charged ions like sodium (Na⁺) and calcium (Ca²⁺), and negatively charged ones like chloride (Cl⁻) and sulfate (SO₄²⁻). The balance of these ions influences seawater's properties, including its salinity, density, and ability to conduct electricity. Additionally, seawater contains nutrients, gases, and organic matter, making it a complex, dynamic chemical environment vital for marine life.