Question

What is the role of anomalous behaviour of water in preserving aquatic life in regions of cold climate?

Answer 1

The anomalous behaviour of water is that from 0^oC to 4^oC it contracts and beyond 4^oC it expands. So, the density of water is at the peak at 4^oC. However, when the surrounding temperature goes down, the water in oceans and rivers also cools down and the temperature of whole water reaches 4^oC. The water therefore reaches its maximum density at this temperature. Below this temperature (4^oC), the water layer on the surface expands caused by anomalous behaviour of the water because of it’s decrease in density. Hence, this colder layer remains on top and converts into ice. This ice acts as an insulator and does not allow the temperature of the water layer below it to fall below 4^oC. This ensures that a liveable temperature is maintained for aquatic life under the oceans and rivers.