Reef Chemistry Question of the Day #181 Weather and Reef Tanks

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Reef Chemistry Question of the Day [HASHTAG]#181[/HASHTAG]

Whether and location can have impacts on reef aquaria, although we probably do not notice many of them.

Assume that you have four identical reef tanks in four identical homes with good air exchange to the outside.

The tanks are in the four cities below.

A. Albuquerque, NM
B. Raleigh, NC
C. Wichita, KS
D. Seattle, WA

Which two aquariums are expected to have the highest oxygen level and which two the lowest?
Good luck!

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[120reefkeeper]

I would say in this depiction that A and C would be the lowest due to low pressure being centered near or over them. B and D would be the highest due to high pressure being present and thus allowing for higher concentrations of dissolved oxygen to be present in the water.

Another thing that can affect this would be altitude? I believe that at higher altitudes that you wouldn't be able to dissolve as much oxygen in the water due to lower pressure at altitude??? *scratches head*

 

[Cory]

Ill guess Seattle. Cool question!

 

[Viperdoug]

NM as the altitude is lowest, thus higher oxygen levels. Second would be Raleigh, the Wichita and finally Seattle. But I am probably wrong

 

[beaslbob]

seattle Washington and Raleigh, NC highest oxygen both are almost at sea level- lowest altitude.

Wichita, ks and Albuquerque as they have that highest altitude. Albuquerque is a mile high city for instance.

 

[Mark Shelly]

My guess would be Albuquerque and Wichita are in low pressure zones per the map. As such I would think they would have fewer dissolved gasses in them, including oxygen.

 

[beaslbob]

NM as the altitude is lowest, thus higher oxygen levels. Second would be Raleigh, the Wichita and finally Seattle. But I am probably wrong

you might want to check the elevation of NM in general and Albuquerque in specific.

 

[JimWelsh]

NM as the altitude is lowest, thus higher oxygen levels. Second would be Raleigh, the Wichita and finally Seattle. But I am probably wrong

You understand that altitude and latitude are not the same thing, right?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

And the answer is...

A. Albuquerque, NM
C. Wichita, KS

Under a low pressure system, there is less pressure of O2 so there will be less in an aquarium.

Also, higher elevation leads to lower air pressure, so less O2 in the air and less in a tank.

A and C both are under low pressure systems and are higher in elevation than the other two, so both effects make A and C the best choices.

FWIW, it may be hard to tell without tracing the isobar lines (lines of equal pressure), but Seattle is under a relatively high pressure area.

 

[beaslbob]

you mean

 

[beaslbob]

you mean

 

[beaslbob]

let me get this straight

 

[beaslbob]

I got one correct based on my knowledge and not looking anything up or guessing c?

 

[beaslbob]

there is hope yet.

 

[beaslbob]

and a general

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

wohoo!