Question

What will happen to aquatic organisms if solid water were denser than liquid water

Answer 1

Aquatic life depends on the lower density of ice compared with liquid water. If ice sank, bodies of water would freeze from the bottom, eliminating habitats and leading to the demise of many aquatic species.

Step-by-step explanation:

If solid water were denser than liquid water, rather than floating, ice would sink. This would cause bodies of water to freeze from the bottom up. Such a fundamental change in the behavior of water would lead to disastrous consequences for aquatic life. Ice usually forms a protective surface layer that insulates the water beneath, allowing organisms to survive in the relatively warmer liquid water below. However, if ice sank, entire water bodies would become solid blocks of ice, destroying habitats and making survival for most aquatic creatures impossible. The current unique property of water also prevents damage such as burst pipes, and it necessitates the use of antifreeze in machinery to mitigate the risks posed by the expansion of freezing water.

Answer 2

If the density of ice were greater than water, ice would sink to the bottom of oceans/seas/lakes etc. This ice would cool the water so much that more water would freeze, and the entire body of water would soon be a giant block of ice! You can imagine how this would affect aquatic life