What happens to the solubility of oxygen in water as temperature increases?

As temperature increases, the solubility of oxygen in water decreases. This phenomenon occurs due to the kinetic energy of water molecules increasing with temperature. When water is warmer, the molecules move more vigorously, effectively allowing dissolved gases, like oxygen, to escape more readily from the water. This results in a lower concentration of oxygen dissolved in the water as the temperature rises.

Moreover, the behavior of solubility in relation to temperature can be attributed to the physical properties of gases. As a gas, oxygen tends to be less soluble in warmer solvents because the increased temperature provides enough energy for the gas molecules to escape into the atmosphere more easily. This understanding is critical in marine science since the availability of dissolved oxygen is vital for aquatic life, and temperature variations can significantly impact ecosystems.