Answer to Question #190166 in Biochemistry for Emaan

Question

Describe what might be the result if water could freeze at a higher temperature. How might

this effect chemical and biological systems that contain water?

Answer 1

Answer:

Ordinarily, water freezes at a temperature of 0⁰ Celsius (32⁰ F), at this point the solute and solvents are at equilibrium. If water could freeze at a higher temperature, water molecules would pull together tightly to form solid ice hence, there would be increased cover of ice and as a result, polar ice caps would be much larger, water cycle would change as there would be less less water for run off during spring thaws.

At high water temperatures, there is increased solubility of substances and toxicity of certain compounds; dissolved oxygen concentrations are dependent on temperature thus if water could freeze at higher temperatures, there would be less concentration of dissolved oxygen in the systems containing water, resulting in chemical alteration (chemical effect) of systems containing water such as rivers, lakes, seas or oceans

With increased dissolution of substances, hence toxicity and less oxygen concentrations, aquatic life is bound to be adversely affected (biological effect), some even end up dying as a result of poisioning or oxygen defiency.